IV 
DEDICATION. 
encouraged me to publifh this Hiftory of Birds, which 
would otherwife have continued in Obfcurity ; fo that I 
may efteem Your Honours, in fome meafure, Parents of it j 
therefore I humbly beg You would pleafe to favour it with 
your Patronage, which I fliall always efteem its greateft 
Merit. I ftiall forbear to enter upon the Excellencies and 
Virtues of your Honourable Society, lince the World is, 
by Experience, thoroughly convinced of Your publick 
Ufefulnefs and Worth. 
But it would be inexculable in me, Ihould I flip this Op- 
portunity, publickly to acknowledge the many and great 
Favours I have received from Your Hands, as a Publick 
Body, fuch as generous Gratuities for flight Services, and 
many other Privileges and Conveniencies, over and above 
the Salary of my Office : I have not only received thefe 
publick Kindnefles, but innumerable private Favours from 
the illuftrious Members of Your honourable Society, who 
have furniffi’d me with all Things neceflary to forward me 
in this Work, and have freely given me their Advice and 
Inftru61:ions. For thefe many and great Favours, I cannot, 
conclude without acknowledging, wath a grateful Mind,, 
the many Obligations You have laid upon him who is in^ 
a particular Manner, 
Honoured Sirs, 
Tour mofl Dutiful.^ 
and mofl obliged humble Servant^ 
George Edwards. 
