Cones 
INTRODUCTION. 
Ix would be inconsistent with the projected plan of the pre- 
sent work, in which the Plates are intended to form the pro- 
minent feature, to enter into a discussion upon the peculiar 
adaptation of the several organs of the feathered tribe to the 
modes of life to which they have been ordained by an all- 
wise Creator ; to exhibit, in the course of such discussion, a 
minute display of their anatomical structure; or to endeavour 
after explanations of the different and wonderful phenomena 
that this race of creatures occasionally present (further than I 
may hereafter touch upon under each description), especially 
as there are already before the public so many excellent works 
entering diffusely and deeply into such points. ‘These works 
are open to all who feel interested in the study of this plea- 
sing branch of Natural History ; and it may therefore be suf- 
ficient for me to pomt out such only as appear more parti- 
cularly illustrative of the several heads above mentioned. 
With respect to Organic Structure, both external and 
internal, and the necessary adaptation of its several parts to 
peculiar habits of life, I would ‘recommend an attentive per- 
asal of the works of Cuvier (especially his ‘“‘ Regne Ani- 
