FRANCIS WILLUGHBY. 
107 
together whatever of this nature is any where 
extant, but have used choice and inserted only 
such particulars as ourselves can warrant upon 
our own knowledge and experience, or whereof 
we have assurance by the testimony of good 
authors or sufficient witnesses. Concerning the 
names of birds we did not much trouble our- 
selves, there having been disputing enough about 
them long ago ; but have, for the most part, fol- 
lowed Gesner and Aldrovandus, being unwilling 
to disturb -what is settled, or dispossess names 
that may, for their use, plead prescription ; and 
because Mr Willughby (though sparing neither 
pains nor cost) could not procure, and conse- 
quently did not describe all sorts of birds; — to 
perfect the work, I have added the descriptions 
and histories of those that are wanting f out of 
Gesner, Aldrovandus, Bellonius, Marggravius, 
Clasius, Hernandez, Bontius, Wormius, and Piso, 
disposing each kind as near as I could in its pro- 
per place. Now, because elegant descriptions 
and accurate figures do much illustrate the under- 
standing of descriptions, in order to the engraving 
figures for this work, Mr Willughby made a col- 
lection of as many pictures drawn in colors by 
the life as he could procure. First, He purchased 
of one Leonard Baltner, a fisherman of Stras- 
burgb, a volume containing the pictures of all the 
water-fowl frequenting the Bhene, near that city, 
as also all the fish and water-insects found there, 
t These articles are severally distinguished by an 
asterisk * throughout the work. 
