

- * 

 PBEFACE. 



How much the charm of country life is due to the song of 

 the birds it is very difficult to realise. And still less 

 generally known is the wonderful variety of bird life in 

 even hyper-civilised England. By many a country lad 

 every note heard and every bird seen is alike known and 

 recognised j but to many of those whose daily walks are 

 limited to the stone pavements of our large cities, save 

 that they probably know a robin and a sparrow when they 

 see either, a bird is simply " a bird " and no more. To 

 pourtray the many varieties of birds which yet visit, breed 

 in, or live in England ; to describe their haunts, habits, 

 eggs, and appearance; is, therefore, a pleasant task, which 

 may perchance add, for many, a fresh charm to their brief 

 experiences of country life. 



