XX PREFACE. 



the subject of the increase and decrease of species. But it is hoped 

 that sufficient has been said to denote the desn*ableness of our pos- 

 sessing full and accurate ornithological statistics of Ireland, such as 

 the author intends to give in the detailed notices of the species 

 throughout the work.* 



The author expects to be enabled to furnish a carefully drawn 

 up list of the Irish names of native birds for the concluding 

 volume. 



It now only remains for him to return his most grateful 

 acknowledgements to all whose names appear as contributors of 

 information throughout the work. Every one in Ireland known 

 to the author as possessing positive knowledge on the subject of 

 native birds, on being applied to, most cheerfully imparted the 

 result of his observations. Indeed, so fully have these been 

 taken advantage of, that the work should rather be considered 

 that of Irish ornithologists generally than of the individual whose 

 name appears on the title page. 



Belfast, Dec, 1848. 



* Various general points of economy treated of under the respective species, 

 will be classified in an index to the last volume of Birds. 



