vi PREFACE, 
In fact, we are taught to regard it as closely allied to ourselves, as 
possessing endowments which we vainly long for, as occupying a 
position in the economy of Nature which closely concerns us ; and it 
is impossible to rise from a perusal of this Work without having 
acquired a new and living interest in the winged race. 
“T/Oiseau,” or “The Bird” —Michelet’s first contribution to the 
sentimental illustration of Natural History—was published in 1856, 
and has passed through nine or ten editions in the French language. 
It has since been followed by ‘“ L’Insecte,” “La Mer,” and “ La 
Montagne ;” the four composing a beautiful and perfect Whole, 
seldom surpassed in graphic vigour of style, tender feeling for 
Nature, and thoughtful suggestiveness. 
In first submitting the following translation to the public, I 
stated that I was conscious of its many shortcomings, To do justice 
to Michelet in English was, in truth, no easy task; yet if I had 
failed to convey a just idea of his beauties of expression, if I had 
suffered most of the undefinable aroma of his style to escape, I 
knew that I had done my best to render his meaning faithfully, 
without exaggeration or diminution. I sedulously endeavoured to 
preserve his more characteristic peculiarities, and even mannerisms : 
for in copying the masterpiece of a great artist, what we ask of the 
copyist is, that he will reproduce every effect of light and shade 
with the utmost faithfulness ; and in the translation of a noble work 
from one language to another, the public have a right to insist upon 
an equally exact adherence to the original. They want to see as 
much of the author as they can, and as little as may be of the 
translator. 
This new edition has been carefully revised, but without any 
