18 Introduction. 



some species on the ground, on the wing, or by their notes ; we 

 may have some acquaintance with their respective habits and 

 peculiarities, but till we can place them in their own positions, 

 classify them with something of order, arrange them in reference 

 to their congeners with something of method, our knowledge 

 and observations will be of small avail in teaching us the secrets 

 of Ornithology; and we shall fall short in understanding the 

 beautiful balance held by nature; the general connection be- 

 tween birds of the same order and tribe; the more intimate 

 connection between those of the same family; the close union 

 between those of the same genus; and the almost insensible 

 degrees by which they pass from one to another, all of which 

 are subjects of exceeding interest to the careful observer ; and 

 our Ornithological knowledge, instead of being comprehensive, 

 will be desultory; instead of being valuable, will be defective; 

 instead of being useful, will be productive of neither instruction 

 nor pleasure. 



NOMENCLATURE. 



In regard to nomenclature. As with the arrangement and 

 order, so with the names of the birds, I have generally followed 

 that of Yarrell, with which I am most familiar ; but, indeed, the 

 strange names under which some of the most common birds are 

 now hidden, appear to my old-fashioned notions a positive 

 calamity. I confess to a very strong opinion on this point, and 

 I would vehemently protest, if that were of any avail in so 

 humble and unlearned an individual, against the prevalent 

 multiplication of genera and the consequent infliction of new 

 and unaccustomed names. In my judgment, the one essential 

 requisite in regard to the name of a bird is that it should be that 

 by which it may most readily be distinguished ; and to that end 

 the name of a species once generally adopted should never, unless 

 in some very exceptional case, be laid aside. Wherefore Mr. 

 Seebohm's plan, as adopted in his admirable work on the 

 ' History of British Birds,' commends itself to my mind very 

 strongly ; and if I were starting afresh, instead of in some sense 



