PREFACE. 



THE present little volume must be looked upon as an 

 introduction to the study of Field Ornithology, rather 

 than as an exhaustive treatise on the habits of Birds. It 

 has been written with the earnest endeavour to supply 

 what I believe to be a wide-felt want a handy book 

 about British Birds, so arranged that these creatures 

 may be readily identified in the various haunts they 

 affect. In a subject of this nature the identification of 

 the species is the most important item ; and this I 

 have tried to render easy by directing the observer's 

 attention to whatever is most likely to attract his notice, 

 or to be impressed upon his mind the notes, the general 

 appearance, or peculiarity of habit, being seized upon 

 to introduce the birds to him. Then, having once done 

 that, I have sought still further to stimulate his interest 

 in them by supplying some of the most salient features 

 in the economy of each. The vast extent of the subject 

 prevents much detail being given ; but I venture to 

 assert that when the student has mastered the infor- 

 mation furnished he cannot fail from being fairly well 



