NAT. 
HIST. 
PEEFACE. 
Jean Victor Audouin, whose single contribution 
to ornithology is here reprinted, was born, say his 
biographers*, at Paris 27th April, 179/. His taste for 
entomology, in which branch of science he rose to great 
distinction, was early shewn; and in 181G, while insect- 
hunting in the wood of Meudon, he met Alexandre 
Broxgniart, the celebrated mineralogist, engaged in 
the same pursuit, and was by him encouraged to devote 
himself to scientific studies. Audouin thereupon re- 
linquished the intention of following the legal pro- 
fession, for which he had been educated, and adopted 
that of medicine. In February, 1820, his first paper 
was read to the Academy of Sciences, and in 1824 he 
founded, with Adolphe Brongniart (whose sister he 
afterwards married) and Dumas, tlie 'Annales des 
Sciences Xaturelles.' The next year he was, on the 
recommendation of Cuvier, charged by the French 
* M. Daremberg (Biographie Universelle ancienne et moderne. Nouv. 
Kd. Paris : 1843, ii. pp. 406—414) and Dr Hoefer (Nouvelle Biographie 
Universelle, Paris: 18-52, iii. pp. 609, 610). Other particulars of his life 
and works may be gathered from the " Eloges " pronounced after his death, 
by MM. Serres, Chevreul, Milne-Edwards and Blanchard (Annales 
des Sciences Naturelles. Ser. 2, Zoologie, xvi. pp. 357—371). 
