14 



Introduction 



a pleasant and usefvil lifetime in observing the species 

 they meet with, in protecting them and carefully noting 

 their habits, which will often be found to be much more 

 peculiar than is usually supposed to be the case. Their 

 cleverness is not uncommonly remarkable, and their 

 structure admirably adapted to the needs of their 



The Zoo-Geographical Regions 



existence, while the changes of plumage are of them- 

 selves a lifelong study and are none too well understood 

 even at the present day, especially with regard to the 

 young bird. No doubt aU the species on our list cannot 

 be found in any one locality, but there is no district 

 where much good work may not be done. 



