PREFACE 



In closing our second series of Zoological Illustrations, 

 we cannot but express gratification at the terms in which 

 they have been alluded to at home and abroad. It is hardly 

 necessary to state that the scientific interest of the subjects 

 described, and the attention bestowed upon the plates, have 

 progressively increased, as the work has approached its 

 termination. The contents of this series may now be divided 

 into three equal portions, so that the Birds, the Insects, 

 and the Shells, will form distinct and uniform volumes, 

 unconnected, except in the general title, with each other. 



As complete sets of the first series have now become very 

 scarce, new editions of the deficient parts are in rapid pro- 

 gress ; and the whole will then he divided, as above, into 

 three portions. 



It is but justice to Mr. G. Bayfield,* that the author 

 should here express his satisfaction at the skill and care 

 with which h«* has executed the colouring" of the plates, 

 both of this work, and of every other in which his services 

 have been engaged. 



In answer to several correspondents who have requested 

 to know what book we can recommend, as giving a general 

 and popular introduction to the natural arrangement of 

 animals, we are obliged to confess that amid countless 

 volumes of anecdotes, compilations, and methods, no such 

 work has ever been undertaken. With the intention of sup- 

 plying this deficiency, we have devoted the greatest portion 

 of the last live years to an Encyclopedia of Zoology ; 

 wherein the science will be placed under a new and striking 

 ight ; no less instructive to the general reader, than inter- 

 esting to the learned. In another year, we trust this work 

 will be before the public. To that volume we must conse- 

 quently refer the readers of this, whenever they wish to 

 understand the full scope and influence of those novelties in 

 natural arrangment which are but slightly glanced at in 

 the following descriptions. 



As more than usual care is necessary in the binding of 

 these volumes, it may be as well to mention that we have 

 particularly instructed Mr. Betts, of Compton Street, 

 Brunswick Square, on this subject. 



Tittenhanger Green, 

 4th March, 1S33. 



* 9, Trafalgar Street, Walworth. 



