PREFACE. 
IX 
The histories of the few birds which are given in this volume 
might have been enlarged, and made more interesting to the gene- 
ral reader, by the introduction of some particulars with which the 
writer’s experience had supplied him, in his recent travels and 
examinations. But when he found that the biographical part of 
the volume was swelled beyond its due proportion, he was com- 
pelled, however reluctantly, to forbear. 
It will be long ere the lovers of science will cease to deplore 
the event, which snatched from us one so eminently gifted for 
natural investigations by his zeal, his industry, his activity, and his 
intelligence ; one who, after a successful prosecution of his great 
undertaking through a series of eventful years, was deprived of his 
merited reward at the moment when he was about putting the fin- 
ishing hand to those labours which have secured to him an im- 
perishable renown. “ The hand of death,” says Pliny, “ is ever, 
in my estimation, too severe, and too sudden, when it falls upon 
such as are employed in some immortal work. The sons of sen- 
suality, who have no other views beyond the present hour, termi- 
nate with each day the whole purpose of their lives ; but those 
who look forward to postei’ity, and endeavour to extend their 
memories to future generations by useful labours ; — to such, death 
is always immature, as it still snatches them from amidst some un- 
finished design.” 
But although that Being, who so often frustrates human pur- 
poses, thought proper, in his wisdom, to terminate the “ unfinished 
design” of our lamented friend, yet were his aspirations after an 
honourable distinction in society fully answered. The poor de- 
VOL. IX. 
B 
