INTRODUCTION. 



OUE object being rather to furnish the reader with rational 

 and interesting facts, than systematic arrang ements, 

 it is not intended to treat the subject of Ornithology* 

 scientifically. But at a period when the education of every 

 class of the community is rapidly improving, and when the 

 minds of the rising generation are in a state of advancement, 

 fitting them for that more perfect knowledge, which, in the 

 preparation of elementary books, ought always to be kept in 

 view, it is of importance that even the simplest work should 

 be arranged and founded, in some degree, on scientific 

 principles. We shall therefore commence with a few 

 introductory remarks on those peculiar features in the 

 formation and habits of Birds, by which they are distin- 

 guished from other branches of the animal creation ; evincing 

 as they do, that uniform and beautiful adaptation of means 

 to the accomplishment of certain ends, which characterize 

 every branch of the creation ; each in its respective perfec- 

 tion, proving beyond contradiction that as " the works of 

 the Lord are manifold, so in wisdom hath He made them 

 all." 



The visible creation, it has been well said, was Adam's 

 library. There may be times, places, and occasions, in 

 which a page out of a book in that library may impart not 

 only instruction to the head, but consolation to the heart. 

 When that persevering traveller, Mungo Park, was at one 

 period of his perilous course fainting in the vast wilderness 

 of an African desert, naked and alone, considering his days 

 as numbered, and nothing appearing to remain for him but 

 to lie down and die, a small moss flower of extraordinary 

 beauty caught his eye. " Though the whole plant," says 



* From ornis and logos, two Greek words, signifying the knowledge 

 of birds. 



