VI 
PREFACE. 
has been left to the present generation of ornithologists to 
recognise the full value of the varied and original work done 
by the last named naturalist. Not that we wish by writing 
thus to detract for one moment from the worth of Yarrell’s 
publications, for, had his work been anything but excellent, 
it would have been impossible, even for so good an editor 
as Professor Newton, to have founded on it that fourth 
edition to which English ornithologists owe so much. 
As completed by Mr. Howard Saunders, this edition of 
Varrell s British Birds stands pre-eminent among the works 
on the subject. 
1 here are many of us still living who remember the enthusi- 
asm with which John Gould set about the production of that 
magnificent series of volumes on the “ Birds of Great Britain,” 
with which his name will for ever be connected. The letter- 
press may be ordinary, as much of it is, but no one can fail 
to appreciate the loving care which must have animated the 
author in the production of the illustrations, and no country 
in the world can boast a finer presentment of its native birds 
than is to be found in the figures in Gould’s work. 
One of the most valuable contributions to the history of 
our British birds published of late years is the “Manual” 
of Mr. Howard Saunders, a model of condensation and an 
epitome of useful information concerning the Avi-fauna of 
Great Britain, and it would have given us great pleasure 
had we been able to induce the author of the “ Manual ” 
to write the volumes on “ British Birds ” for the new edition of 
the Naturalists Library.' 1 It was with great regret that Mr. 
Howard Saunders found that his other engagements prevented 
him from accepting the offer of the publishers to contribute to 
the present series of volumes. He has, however, kindly- 
assisted by suggestions and advice. 
But there is still another work on the birds of Great Britain 
