INTRODUCTION. 
jgEFORE proceeding to examine the ornithology of 
Shakespeare, it may be well to take a glance at 
his knowledge of natural history in general. 
Pope has expressed the opinion that whatever object of 
nature or branch of science Shakespeare either speaks of 
or describes, it is always with competent if not with 
exclusive knowledge. His descriptions are always exact, 
his metaphors appropriate, and remarkably drawn from 
the true nature and inherent qualities of each subject. 
There can indeed be little doubt that Shakespeare must 
have derived the greater portion of his knowledge of 
nature from his own observation, and no one can fail to be 
delighted with the variety and richness of the images 
which he has by this means produced. 
Whether we accompany him to the woods and fields, 
midst “ daisies pied and violets blue,” or sit with him 
“ under the shade of melancholy boughs,” whether we 
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