INTRODUCTION. 
15 
bourhood of London ; consequently my little 
republic was broken up, as I could accommo- 
date but a very few in my new abode. 
It was during my residence in the country, 
in the midst of my feathered family, that 
the illustrative drawings were principally 
made, with, at that time, very little idea of 
presenting them to the public. 
Partly actuated by a wish to meliorate 
the condition of the feathered captives, — if, 
perchance, any ladies who are amused by, 
and who take delight in, these pretty war- 
blers, should honour my humble efforts to 
entertain, by a perusal, and haply adopt 
my plan in the management of their birds, 
—by this means they would find their songs 
much clearer and finer, and their plumage 
more beautiful, than when kept in cages, — - 
if, I say, I should be the humble means of 
inducing them to be treated more kindly, by 
adopting a more liberal and extended scope 
