PRELIMINARY NOTICES. 



a knowledge of Ornithology more pleasing and facile by 

 the aid of poetry; and if he have succeeded in this, his object 

 is accomplished.* 



"In every work regard the writer's end, 

 Since none can compass more than they intend." Pope. 



Besides such various and contradictory opinions, for which 

 an author ought to he prepared if he write on Natural 

 History, he may also expect to be told, as the author of 

 Ornithohgia has been, that " he does not comprehend 

 our higher naturalists." To this, however, he does not 

 think it necessary to reply, except by reference to his 

 work ; and if in that, when examined throughout, there 

 be any evidence of his want of comprehending our higher 

 naturalists, he will at once plead guilty to the charge. Per- 

 haps, in the mean time, he may be pardoned for asking, 

 whom are we to consider as our higher naturalists? those 

 who know and record, in clear and intelligible language, the 

 greatest number of facts and existences, or those who, more 

 intent upon systems and system-building than facts or 

 existences, attempt to reduce to a Procrustes'' bedthe nume- 

 rous anomalies with which the whole world of nature 

 abounds, and which, despite of all learned classification, still 

 unfurl their flags of defiance, by whomsoever that classifica- 

 tion be attempted, and whether those attempts be dignified 

 with the title of Natuhal method or by any other terms. 



* While the author is still of opinion that his object in the 

 composition of his work is accomplished, he thinks that, instead 

 of calling Ornithologia a Poem, had he called it a Metrical 

 Catalogue, which in fact it is, the title would have more strictly 

 corresponded with the contents: but cavillers, even with this 

 title, may no doubt be found ; he has therefore not altered it in 

 this second impression. 



