ii PREFACE. 



diftions of various authors reconciled, but many new fubjects 

 have been added, rendering it a valuable work. 



There have been many authors who, from time to time, have 

 treated on Birds, and many different fyflems have arifen in con- 

 fequence of their labours ; but it is much to be lamented, that 

 fcarce any two agree in the fame opinion. 



The great Ray, our countryman, may juftly be efteemed the 

 firft author of Syftem ; and it is to him we are indebted for the va- 

 luable Ornithology of Francis Willughby, Efq; which, though 

 publifhed fo far bauk. as 167$ "', is yet rcukuucd the belt general 

 work of its kind in the Englifh language. 



A whole volume would fcarce fufHce to give an account of the 

 various writers in Ornithology, and their works in every language j 

 but this is not meant to be a part of our undertaking, and is in- 

 deed quite unneceflary, as we mean to draw materials for our 

 purpofe from authors of the beft credit only; not condemning 

 any of them for their attempt to communicate the knowledge of 

 the age they lived in, as we may juftly fuppofe it was well re- 

 ceived in their days; and no doubt but the time will come, when 

 our prefent notions of things will be held as cheap by our fuccef- 

 fors, as thofe of the century paft are by the prefent age. We will 

 therefore pafs over even the names of all here, except the one ta 

 whom all future writers on Natural Hiftory mult feel themfelves 



* The firft edition was in the Latin tongue, in 1676, but not tranflated into 



Englifii till two years after. 



3 indebted s 



