vi 
PREFACE. 
Should it be remarked that I have commented 
somewhat severely on certain parts of the Bio- 
graphy of Birdsp I answer^ that I should only 
have taken as much notice of that work as 
would have been necessary to prove that the new 
theory could not be depended upon, had not the 
partisans of the author given me ample cause 
of provocation. Had they continued under 
arms, it was my intention to review the whole 
of the Biography of Birds^ together with the 
author's " Introductory Address." 
The controversial papers which have appeared 
on different subjects in Mr. Loudon^s Magazine 
are not included in these Essays. Had mine 
been introduced, those of my opponents must 
equally have been admitted, for the sake of 
perspicuity. 
These Essays chiefly treat on the habits of 
birds. I cannot help observing, that too many 
of our histories of birds are both defective and 
erroneous. We can never expect to have a 
complete history of birds, until he, who under- 
takes the task of writing it, shall have studied 
his subject with unceasing attention in the field 
