78 
INTRODUCTION. 
and whence we would place the commencement 
of our first era. This is a general work ; but it 
is important to the British student, as giving an 
early arrangement of our native birds, though 
mingled with those from other countries. The 
whole style of this work, and its illustrations, is 
consonant with the date of the period of its 
appearance, and when compared with the beau- 
tiful publications of the present day, shews the 
march of improvement, and should teach us to be 
not too much impressed with the excellence of 
our own productions, which, a hundred and fifty - 
nine years hence, may be subjected to even a more 
severe comparison. The letter-press is written 
with the quaintness incident to the time, but is 
expressed with that amiability of feeling which 
was universally ascribed to the author, and con- 
tains some curious facts regarding the abundance 
of species that are now no more, or have much 
decreased in numbers. Ray’s Synopsis Avium et 
Piscium appeared thirty-five years later, and con- 
tained a more finished systematic arrangement. It 
is known to have been much indebted to the 
manuscripts of the writer’s former friend and pupil, 
to which was added the experience gained in the 
intervening years. This work is necessary to the 
student who wishes to trace the species from their 
earlier descriptions. Some years later, (1731-8,) 
the work of Eleazar Albin appeared, an illustrated 
