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PREFACE. 
The adoption of the title Natural History of Ireland for this 
work, of which the Birds only are announced for early publica- 
tion, requires some explanation. The Zoology of Ireland, — on 
nearly every branch of which the author has matter almost ready 
for the press,— would, it must be admitted, have been more strictly 
correct, as little else than that portion of the general subject is 
intended to be comprised in the work. It is, however, to be 
hoped that the name selected, may not be considered too pre- 
sumptuous. 
The volumes on Birds are put forward merely as supplementary 
to the several excellent works already published on British Ornitho- 
logy. Hence it is unnecessary to enter into a description of the 
form or plumage, or into a general history of each species, these 
subjects having been amply treated of in the publications alluded 
to. The whole economy of the species, however, though not 
always dwelt upon, will be often fully illustrated from original 
observation. 
Figures of Irish birds are not required, as all the species are 
included, down to the period of publication (to mention British 
works only) in Selby’s Illustrations of British Ornithology; 
Gould’s Birds of Europe ; and the History of British Birds by 
Bewick, and Yarrell, respectively. Coloured figures of many of 
the species are also given in Sir Wm. Jardine’s work on British 
VOL. I. A 
