To the Honourable the 
PRESIDENT and FELLOWS 
OF THE 
Royal College of Physicians, of London, 
Honoured Sirs, 
HE juft Senfe I have of Your great Learning and 
JL profound Judgment in all the Sciences, and my 
-own Ignorance in moll of them, might deter me from 
prefenting this Trifle, was I not encouraged by Your 
great Goodnefs and Willingnefs to cherifh and give Life 
to the leaft Spark of Knowledge You perceive kindling 
in any One, tho 5 of inferior Rank ; which Benevolence 
in You removes that Fear, that otherwife would forbid my 
Approach. This Work hath, indeed, received its very 
Being from Your Smiles; for the favourable Reception 
my firft Effays in this Way, fometime ago presented to 
the College, met with, hath encouraged me to publifh 
this Hiftory of Birds,, which would otherwife have con- 
A & 
tinned 
