PREFACE. 



' MAY this magnificent study 5 (of Ornithology), 

 ' second to none but Theology, daily gain more 

 favour in the eyes of the public; and be the time 

 not far distant when observers shall arise capable 

 of giving greater accuracy and precision to our 

 knowledge of British Birds. While the world en- 

 dures, be it a thousand years or a million of 

 centuries, the works of God will never be fully com- 

 prehended by man ; and thus there is delightful 

 occupation in view for all time. 1 * These are the 

 words of a true Ornithologist, and they seem to 

 point out to us that too much can never be written 

 of the wonderful works of God. Be the writer 

 discoursing on birds, animals, fishes, insects, or any 

 of the numberless works of Nature, he will still 

 have much to learn, many new facts to note down, 



* Professor Macgillivray. 



