82 THE ORNITHOLOGICAL GUIDE. 



sensible of, that when I asked him upon his death- 

 bed, whether it was his pleasure they should be 

 published, he answered, that he did not desire it, 

 nor thought them so considerable as to deserve it, 

 or somewhat to that purpose, for the very words I 

 do not well remember, though he confessed there 

 were in them some new and pretty observations 

 about Insects. But, considering that the publication 

 of them might conduce somewhat, 1st, to the 

 illustration of God's glory, by exciting men to take 

 notice of, and admire his infinite power and wis- 

 dom displaying themselves in the creation of so 

 many Species of Animals ; and 2nd, to the assist- 

 ance and ease of those who addict themselves to 

 this most pleasant, and no less useful part of 

 Philosophy ; and 3rd, also to the honour of our 

 Nation, in making it appear that no part of real 

 knowledge is wholly balked and neglected by us, 

 (he not contradicting) I resolved to publish them, 

 and first took in hand the Ornithology," 



I have been thus particular in presenting the 

 reader with facts concerning this work, on account 

 of the erroneous notions which have till lately, and 

 do even yet prevail as to who its author was. The 

 authorship has been generally ascribed to Ray — 

 with what justice the foregoing extracts will show. 

 Hear what Swaixson says on the subject: — " Wil- 

 lughby was the most accomplished zoologist of 

 this or any other country; for all the honor that has 

 been given to Ray, so far as concerns systematic 



