4 INTRODUCTION. 



whole. One principal cause of the great diversity of classifications, 

 appears to be owing to the neglect, or want of opportunity, in these 

 writers, of observing the manners of the living birds, in their un- 

 confined state, and in their native countries. As well might phi- 

 losophers attempt to class mankind into their respective religious 

 denominations, by a mere examination of their physiognomy, as 

 naturalists to form a correct arrangement of animals, without a 

 knowledge of these necessary particulars. 



It is only by personal intimacy that we can truly ascertain 

 the character of either, more particularly that of the feathered 

 race; noting their particular haunts, modes of constructing their 

 nests, manner of flight, seasons of migration, favourite food, and 

 numberless other minutiae, which can only be obtained by frequent 

 excursions in the woods and fields, along lakes, shores and rivers, 

 and require a degree of patience and perseverance which nothing 

 but an enthusiastic fondness for the pursuit can inspire. 



Of the numerous systems which have been adopted by differ- 

 ent writers, that published by Dr. Latham, in his " Index Ornitho- 

 logicus," and " General Synopsis of Birds,'' seems the least subject 

 to the objections above-mentioned; and, as in particularizing the 

 order, genus, &c. to which each bird belongs, this system, with 

 some necessary exceptions, has been generally followed in the pre- 

 sent work, it is judged proper to introduce it here, for the informa- 

 tion, and occasional consultation, of the reader. 



TABLE 



OF THE ORDERS AND GENERA OF BIRDS, ACCORDING TO LATHAM. 



Ind. Orn. Syn. of Birds. 



AVIUM ORDINES. ORDERS OF BIRDS. 

 Div. I. Div. I. 



I. Accipitres 



II. Pica 



III. Passeres 



IV. Columba 



Rapacious 

 Pies 



Passerine 

 Columbine 



Ind. Orn. 



V. Gallina 



VI. Struthiones 



Div. II. 



VII. Gralla 



VIII. Pinnatipedes 



IX. Palmipedes 



Syn. of Birds. 



Gallinaceous 

 Struthious 



Div. H, 



Waders 

 Pinnated feet 

 Web-footed 



