INTRODUCTION. vii 



their father's mind, he smiled, bade me be sure to see that 

 the whole work should be punctually delivered, and took his 

 leave. The solemnity of his manner I could not forget for seve- 

 ral days ; I often thought that neither might I see the work 

 completed, but at length I exclaimed " my sons may." And 

 now that another volume, both of my Illustrations and of my 

 Biographies is finished, my trust in Providence is augmented, 

 and I cannot but hope that myself and my family together may 

 be permitted to see the completion of my labours. 



I have performed no long journey since I last parted from you, 

 and therefore I have little of personal history to relate to you. 

 I have spent the greater part of the interval in London and 

 Edinburgh, in both which cities I have continued to enjoy a 

 social intercourse with many valued friends. In the former, it 

 has been my good fortune to add to the list the names of Wil- 

 liam Yarrell, Esq., Dr Bell, Dr Boott, Captain James 

 Clark Ross, R. N., and Dr Richardson. From Mr Yar- 

 rell and the two latter gentlemen, both well known to you as 

 intrepid and successful travellers, I have received much valuable 

 information, as well as precious specimens of birds and eggs, 

 collected in the desolate regions of the extreme north. My 

 anxiety to compare my specimens with those of the Zoological 

 Society of London, induced me to request permission to do so, 

 which the Council freely accorded. For this favour I now pre- 

 sent my warm acknowledgments to the Noble Earl of Derby, 

 the Members of the Council, their amiable Secretary Mr Ben- 

 nett, and to Mr Gould, who had the kindness to select for me 

 such specimens as I wanted. My friend Professor Jameson of 

 Edinburgh has been equally kind in allowing me the means of 

 comparing specimens. From America I have received some 



