EDITOR'S PREFACE 



Tms admirable work by the late Rev. C, A. Johns, F.L.S., which 

 is now offered in a new form, has already proved the making of 

 many a naturalist and it wiU be a delight and help to many more 

 nature lovers who wish to determine a species without recourse to 

 bulky scientific works. 



In editing the present edition I have carefully preserved aU Mr. 

 Johns' dehghtful personal stories and his descriptions of the birds 

 and their daily Ufe in their haunts, but I have brought the scientific 

 arrangement of the species up to date, as well as altered the nomen- 

 clature, in accordance with present-day knowledge and use. 



We begin with the Passeres because modern ornithologists are 

 now nearly aU agreed that this order attains the highest Avian 

 development. 



I have rectified statements as to the local distribution of various 

 species which, with the progress of time and local changes, no longer 

 apply, and have added facts here and there which I considered of 

 some value. 



The faithful and beautiful presentments made by Mr. William 

 Foster for this new edition have no need of our commendation to 

 the pubUc 



J. A. OWEN. 



B.B. m 



