PREFACE. 



When first it occurred to me to record certain facts which 

 I had observed in regard to the behaviour of some of the 

 Warblers, my intention was to include only those species whose 

 habits and instincts I felt I could discuss with some authority 

 as a result of systematic and prolonged study. But it soon 

 became evident that the inclusion of a number of species which, 

 during migration, rest for a while on some of the most inhospit- 

 able parts of our shores might be desirable, and I therefore 

 decided that a coloured figure of these rarer species, together 

 with a description of their plumage and a short account of 

 their distribution, should form a part of this work. Opinion 

 will probably be divided as to the wisdom of this decision ; 

 some will no doubt think that their inclusion adds little 

 to the value whilst certainly contributing largely to the 

 expense. 



It is inevitable that one's views become modified or even 

 altered in the course of time, and during the progress of this 

 work, which has extended over a period of some seven or eight 

 years, I have from time to time been conscious of the fact that 

 I was departing to some extent from views expressed, perhaps 

 too strongly, at the commencement. I must therefore plead 

 for some indulgence and ask that the various life histories 

 shall be read in the order in which they appeared. 



It only remains for me to acknowledge my indebtedness to 

 those who have so kindly given their assistance. Professor 

 G-oeldi, M. Buturlin, Dr. Otto Herman, Count Salvadori, Mr. 

 H. F. Witherby and Mr. Collingwood Ingram have supplied 

 me with valuable information concerning geographical dis- 

 tribution, and in this respect also the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain 



