PREFACE. XI 



dimensions; and to dwell much upon system would 

 have been out of keeping with the purpose and cha- 

 racter of the book. There are some good points and 

 some imperfections in all the systems which have been 

 promulgated ; and therefore I have sometimes followed 

 one and sometimes another : but I have followed them 

 no further than I could, by some general remarks 

 under the orders, genera, and groups, save repetition, 

 and thereby have more scope for the characters and 

 relations of the species. In one order, the first in the 

 second volume, or that of the birds which feed mostly 

 upon vegetable substances at least at certain seasons 

 I have used a name at which the fastidious may cavil, 

 namely, the word grammwora instead of granivora ; 

 but I have done so advisedly, in consequence of the 

 limited meaning of the latter term, and also of its being 

 sometimes applied to substances which are not vege- 

 table ; and if the general name, Botany, which is ex- 

 pressive of all plants, be derived from a root that 

 signifies " to graze," surely a word of similar import 

 and origin may be applied to those birds whose food is 

 chiefly vegetable. But, even without this explanation, 

 the name cannot mislead, as there is nothing founded 

 upon it. 



In the details, whether of appearance, character, 

 habit, or haunt, I have aimed at giving truth and force 

 rather than elegance and grace, and so far as knowledge 

 would bear me out, I have endeavoured to apportion 

 the length of the articles to the importance of the sub- 

 jects. But that is a matter of opinion; and as I have 

 followed my own, it may appear faulty to others. 



In various places of both volumes, there will be found 



