V. I 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
This work is intended for a class of readers to 
whom mere scientific details would be unacceptable, 
if not unintelligible. Such therefore have been, 
as much as possible, avoided, and only alluded to 
as inducements to those who are interested in the 
subject, to make further progress in so attractive 
a department of Natural History. 
There are few individuals who have it not in 
their power, occasionally, to remark the instincts 
and habits of Birds ; and the many anecdotes col- 
lected from the Author s own observation, the in- 
formation of friends, or various respectable sources, 
will, it is hoped, excite others to register any facts 
within their reach, which may illustrate the myste- 
rious economy whereby this beautiful portion of 
God’s creation is enabled, in so many instances, to 
surpass the highest efforts of man’s ingenuity, fore- 
sight, or philosophy. 
