XX 
PREFACE. 
general, and a fine notion of fyftem, which was left to the 
following age to mature and bring to perfection. Accord- 
ingly, Mr. Ray, and his illuftrious pupil the Hon. Fra. 
Willughby, afilimed the plan ; but, with great judgment, 
flung into their proper ftations and proper genera, thofe which 
Belon had confufedly mixed together. They formed the great 
divifion of Terrestrial and Aquatic birds ; they made every 
fpecies occupy their proper place, confulting at once exterior 
form, and natural habit. They could not bear the afFedted 
intervention of aquatic birds in the midft of terreftrial birds. 
They placed the laft by themfelves, clear and diftinCt from thofe 
whofe haunts and ceconomy were fo different. 
Various attempts have been made to alter this fyftem of 
our countrymen. It is a difagreeable and invidious tafk to 
expofe the defeats of other methodifts, who may have, in many 
refpedts, great merit. I leave that to the peevifh malignancy of 
the minute critics ; therefore fliall only acknowlege the fources 
from which I draw the materials of the prefent work, and give 
each their due fhare of merit. 
Mr Ray’s general plan is fo judicious, that to me it feems 
fcarcely poflible to make any change in it for the better ; yet, 
notwithftanding he was in a manner the founder of fyftematic 
Zoology, later difeoveries have made a few improvements on his 
labors. My candid friend Ljnn^us did not take it amifs, that 
I, in part, neglected his example ; for I permit the Land- 
fowl to follow one another, undivided by the Water-fowl, 
the Grail a and Anferes of his fyftem ; but, in my generical ar- 
rangement, I mo ft punctually attend to the order he has given 
in 
