Vlll INTRODUCTION. 



lands affording many localities peculiarly 

 adapted as sites of incubation ; all of which 

 advantages are peculiarly favourable to the 

 feathered race. 



I cannot say that my expectation of ob- 

 taining many rare species was realized, 

 although in forming a general collection I 

 was so far successful that I was induced to 

 take three more voyages to the islands for 

 the like purpose. While on these journeys 

 it was my custom to take notes of my routes 

 and of the occurrences that took place, with 

 passing observations on the manners and 

 customs of tbe people, &c. These remarks 

 have lain by me some time : they were taken 

 at the moment, without any regard to order 

 or arrangement, solely for my own amuse- 

 ment, and without the smallest idea that they 

 would ever be submitted to the inspection of 

 the public, otherwise more pains would hav« 

 been taken in their composition ; but having 

 been persuaded, by several of my friends who 

 had perused them, to give them publicity, — 

 not with the view of obtaining any credit 



