PREFACE. 
Xlll 
rich peat-grounds of Shetland attest, not only hy their existence, 
but by the occasional conservation of the actual roots and 
trunks, the former prevalence of luxuriant forest growth where 
all is now a treeless wild ; though, in the present state of our 
knowledge as to the distribution of species, none may venture 
to assume that at that remote epoch it would have been possible 
for the Fauna to have been as in these days. There can, how- 
ever, be little doubt that in numerous instances, as the author 
was adding to the Shetland list now one and now another of 
our southern birds, he was but chronicling the return, after the 
lapse of many a century, of a species reappearing after its 
long exile. I know not whether there are any among the 
residents in the islands who possess that perfect familiarity 
with southern forms which is requisite for the identification 
of the woodland birds upon a mere glimpse of the plumage or 
a momentary hearing of the note ; I trust, however, there 
may be those who will keep a watch on this matter as only 
residents can ; and who will in due time report upon the farther 
progress of so interesting a reclamation. 
It must, nevertheless, not be supposed that the insertion of a 
name upon the list has in any one instance been made upon 
evidence so slight as this mere passing glimpse or casual note, 
unusually quick and cultivated though the Author was in every 
faculty that goes to make a good observer. In each individual 
case the grounds of insertion are fully detailed. It may be 
well, however, to remark that the confidence shown in speak- 
ing of the appearance and habits of many species seldom 
seen in the north is the result of long study of them, through 
childhood and boyhood, in the south of England, followed by 
residence near the great Forest of Soignies in Belgium, and 
a twelvemonth of daily research in that fruitful region for the 
naturalist, the vale of Festiniog in North Wales. 
It was evidently the Author’s aim to restrict the scope of 
this work to observations actually made in the Shetland 
Islands, not drawing upon knowledge gained elsewhere to sup- 
plement a notice otherwise of the scantiest. I have not felt 
