XX 
PREFACE. 
the subject of the increase and decrease of species. But it is hoped 
that sufficient has been said to denote the desirableness of our pos- 
sessing full and accurate ornithological statistics of Ireland, such as 
the author intends to give in the detailed notices of the species 
throughout the work.* 
The author expects to be enabled to furnish a carefully drawn 
up list of the Irish names of native birds for the concluding 
volume. 
It now only remains for him to return his most grateful 
acknowledgements to all whose names appear as contributors of 
information throughout the work. Every one in Ireland known 
to the author as possessing positive knowledge on the subject of 
native birds, on being applied to, most cheerfully imparted the 
result of his observations. Indeed, so fully have these been 
taken advantage of, that the work should rather be considered 
that of Irish ornithologists generally than of the individual whose 
name appears on the title page. 
Belfast, Dec., 1848. 
* Various general points of economy treated of under the respective species, 
will be classified in an index to the last volume of Birds. 
