PREFACE 



WE now enter upon the second grand division of our subject^ 

 Water Birds; and on that particular class, or order, usually de- 

 nominated Grallaj or Waders. Here a new assemblage of scenery^ 

 altogether different from the former, presents itself for our con- 

 templation. Instead of rambling through the leafy labyrinths of 

 umbrageous groves, fragrance-breathing orchards, fields and fo-^ 

 rests, we must now descend into the watery liiorass, and mosquitoe- 

 Swamp; trav erse the windings of the river, the rocky cliffs, bays 

 and inlets of the sea-beat shore, listening to the wild and melan- 

 choly screams of a far different multitude; a multitude less inti- 

 mate indeed with man, tho not less useful; as they contribute libe» 

 rally to his amusement, to the abundance of his table, the warmth 

 of his bed, and the comforts of his repose. 



In contemplating the various, singular and striking peculiari- 

 ties of these, we shall every where find traces of an infinitely wise 

 and beneficent Creator. In every deviation of their parts from the 

 common conformation of such as are designed for the land alone, 

 we may discover a wisdom of design never erring never failing in 

 the means it provides for the accomplishment of its purpose. In- 

 stead therefore of imitating the wild presumption, or rather pro^ 



VOL. VII* B 



