Birds of Britain 



into some of those beautiful mysteries which it is our 

 ambition to unravel, and that, at the same time, they may 

 awaken and stimulate a further desire to know still more 

 of the workings of the great laws of the Universe and the 

 part they play in the lives of even the least of the feathered 

 creatures. 



It has been thought best to include in this book every 

 species which has been known to occur in Great Britain, 

 with a description of their leading characteristics and true 

 habitat, so that any bird met with may be easily identified ; 

 and the plates have been carefully selected so as to give 

 examples of the most typical species. 



For facts relative to geographical distribution and other 

 technical details the author has freely consulted Mr. Howard 

 Saunders' Manual of British Birds. 



In conclusion, the author hopes most sincerely that this 



book may often prove to be of help and service to the 



genuine seeker after reliable information on British Birds, 



and also that it may encourage observation and further 



research in a branch of Natural History where discovery 



ever stimulates to fresh discovery and where interest never 



fails. 



J, LEWIS BONHOTE. 



Gadb Spring, 



Hemel Hempstead, Herts, 



November 1907. 



VI 



