vfii PREFACE. 



in due zoological order follow the Moles and Shrews, 

 the Foxes, the Weasels, the Rodents, and the Edentates. 

 The White Bear alone is removed from its legitimate 

 place, on account of its singular habitation in the snow. 

 The Burrowing Birds come next in order, those which 

 burrow in the earth taking precedence of those which 

 make holes in wood. Burrowing Reptiles follow next 

 in order ; and then come the Burrowing Invertebrates, 

 headed by the Crustacea. The same system is followed 

 throughout, so as to give the reader a clear and definite 

 idea of the subject. 



On perusing the work, the attentive reader will pro- 

 bably discover that various animals are placed in one 

 class when they might very well be in another. The 

 reason is, that many creatures, such as the wasp, the 

 ant, the squirrel, &c., might with equal propriety find a 

 place in several of these classes, and I have therefore 

 placed them in that class of which some peculir.rity in 

 nest-making renders them fit illustrators. 



I must now return my thanks to the many friends 

 who have assisted me in the work, by the loan or gift of 

 specimens, or by affording valuable information. Among 

 them I must especially mention J. GouLD, Esq., who 

 kindly took an interest in the ornithological portion of 

 the work ; F. Smith, Esq., of the British Museum ; and 

 the late Charles Waterton, Esq., who permitted me 

 the use of his museum, and gave me much interesting 

 and useful information. 



