vi PREFACE. 



conversant with the habits, notes, and appearance of 

 the birds that regularly inhabit our country. 



Of the pleasure derived during the process of ac- 

 quiring this information concerning our feathered 

 friends, it would be impossible to speak with any 

 exaggeration of its intensity. Of all living creatures 

 that in the wilds do dwell, Birds appeal most forcibly 

 to our notice. They are the most apparent wild 

 creatures of our rambles, and not only so, they are 

 universal in their distribution. No description of 

 scenery is devoid of Birds ; they are alike the life of 

 the wilderness, and the charm of more homely country. 



The labour of designing and writing the following 

 pages has been no light one ; but if it be the humble 

 means of drawing a few fresh students within the 

 charmed circle of Field Ornithology if it be the means 

 of smoothing away some of the difficulties that beset 

 the novice, then that labour will ever be recalled as a 

 genuine pleasure. With the cordial hope that the 

 reader may experience both pleasure and profit by the 

 perusal, I now leave the " Birds of our Rambles " to his 

 sympathetic consideration. 



CHARLES DIXON. 



6, Inoatestone Terrace, 



Warren Road, Torquay. 



