V) PREFACE, 



than one representation of some of the very marked variations 

 occurring in the eggs of several species, he has been compelled to 

 content himself with selecting and figuring the most typical or 

 normal forms in all such cases. All the illustrations given have been 

 carefully drawn from unquestionable specimens, and Mr. Coleman 

 desires to acknowledge in this place the assistance, which in this 

 matter, has been afforded him by that excellent and accurate 

 practical naturalist, Mr. E. Bond. 



An Appendix is subjoined, in which a notice will be found of 

 the habits of nidification, the nests and eggs of several birds, 

 which though regular inhabitants of Britain or some part of it, 

 for a given portion of each year, still retire to foreign and distant 

 localities for the purposes of nest-making and rearing their 

 young. 



The author has only to observe, in conclusion, that he has 

 scarcely thought it necessary in the majority of instances to notice 

 the common and well recognised fact that the particular species 

 under notice, in common with many or most of our common 

 British Birds, rears two broods, or even more, in the course of 

 the summer. Neither has he thought it requisite to attempt to 

 defines, the average season for the commencement of nidification 

 in the case of this or that species, as they came successively 

 under review . 



ISlil. 



