AUTHOR s PREFACE. 



that it may contribute more and more to the love of that 

 class of attractive creatures with which the Creator has 

 adorned 'the earth, and which sing His praises so melo- 

 diously and unceasingly ! 



THIRD EDITION. 



A NEW edition of my Natural History of Cage Birds 

 having been called for, 1 have made many additions and 

 improvements in the work, as will appear on comparison. 

 Some have alleged that I have been too diffuse in my 

 descriptions, and others find fault that I have introduced 

 birds difficult to tame, such as the gold-crested wren and 

 the common wren. In the latter case, at least, the most 

 ample details are excusable, as the birds require more care ; 

 yet I know several amateurs who always have one or two 

 wrens flying about a room, or in a cage, and to let loose so 

 delicate a little bird as the gold-crested wren always gives 

 great pleasure. Besides, the minutest detail can never, in 

 such cases, do any harm. I have likewise added some 

 foreign birds, several of which have been but recently 

 introduced in this country by bird dealers. 



PREISSACKER, 

 November, 1812. 



