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INTRODUCTION. 



TDEFORE proceeding to examine the ornithology of 

 Shakespeare, it may be well to take a glance at 

 his knowledge of natural history in general. 



Pope has expressed the opinion that whatever object of 

 nature or branch of science Shakespeare either speaks of 

 or describes, it is always with competent if not with 

 exclusive knowledge. His descriptions are always exact, 

 his metaphors appropriate, and remarkably drawn from 

 the true nature and inherent qualities of each subject. 

 There can indeed be little doubt that Shakespeare must 

 have derived the greater portion of his knowledge of 

 nature from his own observation, and no one can fail to be 

 delighted with the variety and richness of the images 

 which he has by this means produced. 



Whether we accompany him to the woods and fields, 

 midst " daisies pied and violets blue," or sit with him 

 " under the shade of melancholy boughs," whether we 



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