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PREFACE. 



IN presenting to the public this English version of Louis FIGUIER'S 

 interesting work on Reptiles and Birds, I beg to state that where 

 alterations and additions have been made, my object has been 

 that the style and matter should be suited to the present state of 

 general knowledge, and that all classes should be able to obtain 

 useful information and amusement from the pages which I have 

 now the honour and pleasure of presenting to them. 



On commencing my undertaking I was not aware of the 

 immensity of the labour to be done, and fear that I must have 

 relinquished my arduous task but for the kind encouragement of 

 FRANK BUCKLAND, Esq., Inspector of Salmon Fisheries, and HENRY 

 LEE, Esq., F.L.S., F.G.S., &c., to both of whom I take this oppor- 

 tunity of returning my sincere thanks. 



PARKER GILLMORE 



("UBIQUE"). 



December, 1809. 



