PREFACE. 



THE present Natural History of the Birds of Ireland 

 has been the result of many years' observation of their 

 habits. Collecting and arranging that information, I 

 have ventured, with considerable diffidence, to place it 

 before the public. The late William Thompson, Esq., 

 of Belfast, whose friendship I for many years enjoyed, 

 on various occasions expressed a desire to see a cheap 

 work on the subject published, regretting at the same 

 time the unavoidable expense attending his own, which 

 had prevented its circulation to the extent expected. 



For the purpose of making this book as popular and 

 comprehensive as possible, many scientific technicalities 

 have been left out, as tending to confuse the general 

 reader without conferring any additional information, 

 whilst such generic or specific names, essential to the 

 subject, have in every instance their English significa- 

 tion attached. Intended to be within the comprehen- 

 sion of the general reader, it is hoped at the same time 

 to be as available to students, and particularly to per- 

 sons commencing or pursuing this branch of Natural 

 History : for that purpose many details will be found 



