10 PREFACE. 



Having thus introduced, in few words, the fea- 

 thered inhabitants of the farm-yard to the reader's 

 notice, I will add a few observations which I much 

 hope will be read and remembered. In the study 

 of the natural history of birds, which this book 

 is meant to assist you in commencing, you will 

 find, if you enter on it aright, a source of high 

 delight, and lively interest and instruction. Birds 

 are, perhaps, the most purely pleasure-inspiring 

 of all the living-creatures we see around us. They 

 are full of attraction, when we consider the 

 elegance of their form, the beauty of their colours, 

 the variety and grace of their movements, and the 

 sweet melody of song with which they charm our 

 ears ; and you may always enjoy the pleasure they 

 afford, since, go where you will, be the place and 

 season what they may, there is always a bird to 

 be found, which, attentively considered, will afford 

 you instruction, and pleasure. All creation claims 

 our attention, and amply rewards our research ; 

 and perhaps it is not too much to say, that the 

 study of birds is not only one of the best and most 

 certain sources of rational enjoyment, but that it 

 is one which leads, more directly than most others, 

 to the love, and consequently to the study and 



