94 INTRODUCTION. 



without great inconvenience, be confined to its peculiar 

 region, notwithstanding 1 , for the most part, it is so. When, 

 therefore, the description of any bird cannot be readily 

 found in the notes of one part, it should be sought for in the 

 other. The Index will be, however, the most certain guide. 



In an Epitome of Ornithology, the mention of the very- 

 extensive and useful collection of preserved specimens of 

 birds now open to the inspection of the public at the 

 British Museum ought not to be omitted. The lover of 

 Natural History will find, in the well arranged cases of 

 that National Repository, much to interest and engage his 

 attention. There he may contemplate specimens of the 

 more rare and curious of the feathered race. The Fla- 

 mingo, the Bird of Paradise, the Toucan, innumerable 

 Eagles, the Columha Coronota, the Bustard, and a numerous 

 et ccetera, either new or rare in this department of science. 

 There may he pass days in the contemplation of Birds 

 alone, which will afford him no ordinary gratification. 



The Ornithological Museum of the Linnean Society 

 ought also to be mentioned; the extensive collection of 

 the Birds of New Holland, in particular, is more es- 

 pecially deserving notice. This museum is not, of course, 

 open to the public; but, by a suitable introduction, it may 

 be readily inspected. 



Nor ought the museum of the East India Company, in 

 Leadenhall Street, to be forgotten. Here will be found 

 many of the birds of the east, and, particularly, a curious 

 collection made by Dr. Horsfield, of the Birds of Java: 

 access to this can only be had through the medium of a 

 Director, or by an introduction to the Librarian, Dr. 



WlLKINS. 



Nor must the growing collection of the Zoological 

 Society in these notices be passed over; a society which, 



