C ] 
previoully informed, that this methodical 
diftribution is adopted by all the literati. 
It is therefore plain that a bird does not 
walk on its feet and talons, but on its claws. 
This explanation I have thought neceflary, 
in order that I may be better underftood, 
both in the relation of my voyages, and 
that more extenfive work to which it is 
only, in fome meafure, an introdu6lion. 
Should I have, occ^fion tp fpeak after this 
arrangement of my acquifitions in quadru- 
pedes, birds, &c. obliged to make ufe of 
the terms and meafures eftablifhed by 
prnithologifts, people whp are not natural- 
ills, and who may deign tp read my work, 
would certainly find errors and obfcurity 
in three-fourths of my defcriptions, did I 
not give them this key, which is indifpen- 
fably necelTary to whoever may, for the 
firft time, call their eyes over this part of 
natural hiftory. 
I can rea.dily forgive the authors of thpfq 
voluminous works, and the immenfe 
compilations in which old books are lai4 
under contribution, which are ftulFed with 
long quotations, and where the dreams of 
the imagination and ignoraace are prefent- 
ed 
