Xll. PREFACE. 



the singing of some of the warbler tribe in the Introduction, 

 the author is also particularly indebted and obliged. Nor 

 must he omit the name of Mr. David Don, the ingenious 

 librarian of the Linnean Society, who has, on numerous 

 occasions, most kindly assisted the author in his ornitholo- 

 gical researches. 



While the author regrets that so long a time has 

 elapsed since the first announcement of his work, the 

 delay has been, from the state of trade, unavoidable, — 

 yet the delay itself has been of infinite advantage to the 

 completion of the volume. The substance of all the 

 Lectures on Ornithology which the author gave during the 

 last summer, at Ihe City of London Institution, is incorpo- 

 rated in this work. 



The student, in consulting the following pages, ought 

 most carefully to attend to what is stated in the Introduction. 

 The Index, as it includes most of the provincial names of 

 Birds, will^considerably assist those who are not acquainted 

 with the scientific terms. As the names of many Birds are 

 mentioned in the Poem which have no notes of reference 

 annexed, when information is wanted concerning them, re- 

 course should be had to the Index. 



It may seem almost superfluous to add that, as the author 

 is desirous of rendering his work as interesting and com- 

 plete as possible, a notice of any errors, or of any striking 

 and recently observed facts concerning Birds, will be most 

 thankfully received, if addressed to the author, at the pub- 

 lishers', free ofexpence, and with an authenticated signature. 



