74 FIELD-NOTES FOR THE YEAR. CH. XXIV. 



giving a scientific description or arrangement of 

 birds and other animals. All I wish is that my 

 rough and irregularly put together notes may afford 

 a few moments of amusement to the old ; and to 

 the young not amusement only, but perhaps an in- 

 citement to them to increase their knowledge of 

 natural history, the study of which in all its branches 

 renders interesting and full of enjoyment many a 

 ramble and many an hour in the country which 

 might otherwise be passed tediously and unprofit- 

 ably. We all know that there is scarcely a foot of 

 ground that is not tenanted by some living creature, 

 which, though it may offer itself to our observation 

 in the lowly shape of an insect or even a minute 

 shell, is as perfect in all its features and parts, in 

 its habits and instincts, and as demonstrative of the 

 surpassing wisdom and power and goodness of the 

 Creator, as the most gigantic quadruped which walks 

 the earth. 



Again, kind readers, Farewell ! 



