INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 149 



]ind require not to be increased by a volume^ upon this 

 plan, in the Cabinet of Natural History. 

 ^ Seeing, therefore, that of the two plans already mention- 

 ed, one was impracticable, and the other uncalled for, a 

 third suggested itself as not only useful, but, in some 

 respects, original. Without altogether rejecting the in- 

 troduction of those species usually seen in menageries_, 



— an omission which would belie the title of our volume, 



— we have been guided in the rest of our selection by 

 introducing such birds as are adapted both for small 

 and large collections j giving the preference to those 

 species that can be kept in compartments of the plea- 

 sure grounds, or in inclosed canals, ponds, or other 

 fresh waters. This part of our volume will, therefore, 

 not be so much a guide to the visiters of aviaries as to 

 those who desire to be themselves the possessors of one, 

 however small. There are few private gentlemen in 

 this kingdom, living in the country, or on their own 

 estates, who do not possess a fenced inclosure, a poultry- 

 yard, or a pond, — one or all of which, with very little 

 trouble, will be sufficient to contain a few of these birds, 

 the number and variety of which may be regulated ac- 

 cording to circumstances, and may be increased, as capa- 

 bilities exist for their accommodation, to any extent. 

 We think that this mode of ornamenting our grounds, 

 and of exciting an additional interest both to their pro- 

 prietors and their visiters, has been very much neglected. 

 To us, indeed, the sight of a bird in a confined cage, 

 how^ever we may admire it, ahvays excites an unpleasant 

 feeling of captivity, which does not force itself on the 

 mind if the same bird is seen withiaa large inclosure it. 

 the open air, or swimming at ease in its native elemenn 

 "VFe have not, however, in the following selection, merely 

 brought before the reader a portion of such birds as 

 have been already introduced into this country ; but 

 many others are noticed, which, from the nature of 

 their food or habits, joined to their beauty or variety, 

 seem equally calculated to bear our climate. Among 

 these are several which we merely know from the de- 



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