INTRODUCTION. 3 



In arranging this work, we have availed our- 

 selves of the knowledge of our friends, to which 

 we have joined our o\^ti practical experience : and, 

 to render the whole more complete, we have given 

 a description of each hird, together with observa- 

 tions on their habits in a wild state, mth some re- 

 marks and anecdotes to illustrate their manners in 

 a state of domestication. 



The delightful music of song-birds is, perhaps, 

 the chief cause why these charming little crea- 

 tures are, in all countries, so highly prized.— 

 Music is an universal language ; — it is under- 

 stood and cherished in every country: The 

 savage, the barbarian, and the civilized indi\d- 

 dual, are all passionately fond of music, particu- 

 larly of melody. But, dehghtful as music is, per- 

 haps there is another reason that may have led 

 man to deprive the warblers of the woods and 

 fields, of liberty, particularly in ci\dlized states, 

 where the intellect is more refined, and, conse- 

 quently, the feelings more adapted to receive ten- 

 der impressions; — we mean the associations of 

 ideas. Their sweet melody brings him more parti- 

 cularly in contact with groves and meadows — ^with 

 romantic banks — or beautiful sequestered glades — ■ 

 the cherished scenes, perhaps, of his early youth* 



