INTRODUCTION. 



difficulties, which mathematical knowledge would 

 prove to be proportionally increased at every step in 

 his progress. How all these seeming impossibilities 

 are accomplished, is perhaps the most interesting 

 part of the following pages. 



But the study of Ornithology has other charms, 

 in a great measure confined to itself, and recom- 

 mending it to the attention of a large class of 

 readers; namely, that of its being within the reach 

 of all who take an interest in the proceedings of 

 the natural world. Quadrupeds, generally speaking, 

 are few in number, and so difficult of access, that 

 in fact, beyond the limited families of our domestic 

 menageries, few can have an opportunity of investi- 

 gating their habits. Out of eighty genera of four- 

 footed animals, about fifteen only are to be met with 

 in the British islands; of these, many live so remote 

 from man, that accident alone can gratify his curio- 

 sity, and of that greater portion scattered over 

 the earth, few, comparatively speaking, ever fall 

 under the observation of the most inquiring tra- 

 veller. One- half of the characteristic features of 

 the lion and tiger tribe we collect from the analagous 

 habits of one of a similar genus, namely, the cat, 

 which harmlessly purrs by our fire-side: while the 

 sheep and goat afford information respecting the 

 numerous class of ruminating animals, which in- 

 habit parched deserts, or the precipitous regions of 

 rocks and mountains. But in the class of Birds the 

 case is different : many, it is true, and perhaps some 

 of the most singular as well as most beautiful, are 

 seldom accessible; but of those which meet us at 

 every turn, which cheer our solitary walk with their 



