T E M 1* O R A R Y I N T R O D U C T I 0 N. 
A few words by way of a temporary introduction appear to be necessary. It is hoped that 
those who take up these pages will bear in mind that the title leads them to expect nothing beyond 
“ rough notes.” 
I have stated simply what has come under my own observation, with the addition of a few 
facts picked up from those whose occupations have brought them constantly into contact with all 
kinds of wild life. I am well aware that naturalists have so frequently drawn attention to what 
they have been pleased to style the ignorance displayed by gamekeepers, that they would utterly 
condemn all information acquired from such sources. During my wanderings by sea and land 
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. As these pages do not profess to diffuse scientific knowledge, I consider there 
is no harm in giving any information gained in this manner that tends to describe the habits 
of birds, so long as the sources from which it was obtained are plainly made known. 
Except where it readily strikes the eye, any attempt at the description of minute details of 
plumage has been omitted ; and those who desire such particulars as the relative lengths of 
the first and second primaries, the number of feathers in the tail, or the construction of the 
internal organs had better not waste their time over ‘ Rough Notes.’ 
The Plates, on which great care and attention have been bestowed by my friend Neale, 
are taken entirely from subjects in my own collection. Occasionally I have come across 
