INTRODUCTION. 



INTERESTING as are all sciences, perhaps none offer more in- 

 ducements to study than that of ornithology. The varied 

 forms and beautiful plumage of the feathered tribes, the plea- 

 sures derived from their song, and the general interest of their 

 habits, render it one continually presenting us with the most 

 attractive images of nature's handiwork. 



To the naturalist, perhaps, no country in Europe affords 

 more interest in its Fauna than that of Ireland. Insular in 

 position, and comprising upon its surface every variety of 

 natural character, its mountains, lakes, rivers, and bogs, its 

 precipitous ranges upon the northern and western coasts, and 

 the sloping sandy levels of the east and south, combine in 

 offering localities admirably adapted to the habits of the 

 various tribes frequenting them. Of equal interest from the 

 fact of its situation in being placed at the extremity of Western 

 Europe, and nearest to the great American continent, it offers 

 peculiar interest to the researches of the ornithologist. But 

 unfortunately these advantages, so prized in other countries, 

 are neglected in our own ; a peculiar apathy appears to oc- 

 cupy the minds of a great portion of the classes, which invests 

 the study of natural history with many fancied difficulties ; 

 though at the present time the observation made by the ex- 

 cellent rector of Selborne, some seventy years since, that 



