rewrite many of the articles ; and no one can be more keenly aware of the many 

 imperfections and shortcomings than myself. I have often wished that I had more 

 time to compare specimens ; but had I not pressed forward as much as possible 

 it would have been impossible to complete the work in any thing like the time 

 expended on it ; and when I state that it has been entirely written before breakfast 

 and after evening meal, during the few hours I could spare from the arduous 

 duties of a city life, often working late into the night, and again recommencing 

 my labours soon after daybreak, I trust I may claim some little indulgence. At 

 the same time it has been a labour of love to me, and one which, though 

 so heavy, I am, now that it draws to a close, reluctant to relinquish ; but 

 I hope, if I am spared and retain the health and strength I have hitherto 

 enjoyed to so great a degree, to continue my labours, and to bring out, after 

 having collected sufficient material, a work on the birds of the Eastern Palasarctic 

 Region, excluding of course those species which occur there of which I have 

 treated in the present work. 



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