PREFACE. 



V 



A part of its contents relates to the habits 

 of birds ; and I wish to draw the attention of the 

 young naturalist to it, because I have taken 

 great pains in selecting the materials from 

 actual observation in woods, and in swamps, 

 and on plains, where the theories of the closet 

 are unnecessary, and some of our new systems 

 incompatible with the simplicity of Nature. 



To those gentlemen who reviewed the 

 volume of Essays in Natural History with a 

 favourable eye, I return my grateful thanks 

 Although I have not the honour of their ac- 

 quaintance, still their meed of approbation will 

 not be lost upon me. To those critics who 

 have thought fit to attack my puny offspring 

 with their puny bodkins, I am happy to say, 

 that their confederate thrusts have barely 

 effected a slight puncture on its skin. I have 

 it now again in my power to offer them half a 

 day of occupation. They ought to be thankful 

 for it, at a season when work is not always to 

 be obtained. 



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