74 FIELD-NOTES FOR THE YEAR. CH. XXIV. 



me so far) to the end of the year, and of my 

 sojourn in Moray, I must say — Farewell. 



I have aimed neither at book-making nor at 

 giving a scientific description or arrangement of 

 birds and other animals. All I wish is that my 

 rough and irregularly put together notes may afford 

 a few moments of amusement to the old ; and to 

 the young not amusement only, but perhaps an in- 

 citement to them to increase their knowledge of 

 natural history, the study of which in all its 

 branches renders interesting and full of enjoyment 

 many a ramble and many an hour in the country 

 which might otherwise be passed tediously and 

 unprofitable We all know that there is scarcely 

 a foot of ground that is not tenanted by some 

 living creature, which, though it may offer itself 

 to our observation in the lowly shape of an insect 

 or even a minute shell, is as perfect in all its 

 features and parts, in its habits and instincts, and 

 as demonstrative of the surpassing wisdom and 

 power and goodness of the Creator, as the most 

 gigantic quadruped which walks the earth. 



Again, kind readers, Farewell ! 



