ed; to condense the species, by excluding such enlargements as had arisen from a want of strict attention to the changes of plumage under different periods of age; and to add to the general stock of knowledge my mite of personal observation on the habits of this interesting tribe of creatures.

In this latter respect, I trust candid readers will not charge against me as a fault the large share of egotism that seems to pervade this volume; of two evils, I certainly would rather chuse to rest under this imputation, than that of being a downright compiler. As to the style, I have endeavoured, as far as lay in my power, to unite conciseness and perspicuity with that plain didactic manner in which I conceive all works on scientific subjects should be written.

I shall conclude this short notice, with apologising for a slight want of regularity in the numbering of the plates. This was most unavoidable from the necessarily irregular manner in which the specimens were ob tained, and the etchings accomplished; but I should hope that no great inconvenience will be experienced on this point.

February 10. 1825.

PREFACE

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

THE Author cannot permit a Second Edition of his First Volume (together with the completion of his Work in a Second Volume) to issue from the Press, without congratulating his readers and the scientific world at large, upon the great degree of attention and minute accuracy of investigation which have been extended to the present branch of Natural History since his labours commenced. No trouble has been spared on his part, not only in elucidating the subjects of his second volume to the best of his ability, but in solving such doubts, and reconciling such discrepancies, as were unavoidably left in the former portion of his work; and he trusts that, having rejected the former arrangement of M. TEMMINCK, and adopted now, through both volumes, that lately proposed by Mr VIGORS (and since followed by many eminent naturalists), will have materially contributed to that end. This resolution

was taken upon his most perfect conviction that the last mentioned plan of Classification is more in accordance with that natural Order, under which, it must be convincingly evident to those who will at all study the subject, the works of the Almighty Creator are offered to our view.

The Author trusts that these two volumes may (under their present plan) be not merely regarded as elucidatory of the accompanying Plates, but may claim the higher title to public attention, as a compact and systematic Manual of British Ornithology; and that his work may become useful, both from its portable size, and from the readiness of reference it will afford to the student in this interesting department of science.

February 28. 1833.