IV 
INTRODUCTION. 
British Birds to the best of their ability. The quaint and old-fashioned Bewick is the most amusing 
of these writers, and his woodcuts and the type employed in his work are sure to attract attention 
and afford entertainment to those who study his productions. Under the heading of the Capercaillie 
several extracts have also been made from Mr. J. A. Harvie-Brown’s work on * The Capercaillie in 
Scotland,’ published in Edinburgh in 1879. I am aware that naturalists have so frequently drawn 
attention to what they are pleased to style the ignorance displayed by gamekeepers, that they would 
utterly condemn all information acquired from such sources. During the time passed searching over 
the moors and also knocking about in stormy weather at sea I have, however, learned much 
concerning the habits of many scarce species, that I have subsequently proved to be correct, from 
keepers and foresters, as well as from fishermen and coast-gunners. 
Few remarks concerning the changes of plumage through which the various species pass are given, 
unless the birds are several years in assuming their last attire* As most carefully coloured 
drawings of the soft parts * and plumage of Eagles, Ospreys, Kites, Harriers, Goosanders, Gannets, 
Skuas, as well as a few other species, were made for this work, having been taken either from life or 
at the time the birds were obtained, Mr. Neale has been enabled to give the most accurate represen- 
tations of the various stages through which several species pass. 
I take this opportunity of returning thanks to those who have so kindly rendered great assistance 
by granting me permission to explore their estates or shooting-ranges; without their help my 
collection would have been small indeed. In conclusion, I must beg those who study the contents of 
these pages to make due allowance for the productions of one who has been but little accustomed 
to indoor work. 
May 1887 . 
E. T. BOOTH. 
Lius refers to the fleshy elevations on the beaks, the prominent eircles round the eyes, and the size and colouring of the legs 
and toes, all of which rapidly contract and fade after death. 
