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the author's residence has been chiefly in and around the metropolis during the last ten years, many of which have been passed at LEWISHAM, with innumerable rambles to Sydenham, Forest Hill, &c. &c., yet, that the chief of his knowledge of the Natural History of Birds has been obtained by a long residence in Somersetshire, at HUNTSPILL, of which place he is a native; and where, to his shame be it spoken, in his earlier days, he was the most inveterate bird's-nester in the county. Not an egg or nest of any kind in hedge, bank, bush, the loftiest tree, or wall, could escape him. He had, while yet a boy, one year, an exhibition of nearly two hundred eggs, obtained from the various tribes, the Hawk, the Cuckoo, and a numerous et cætera. He is now, however, thoroughly convinced of the folly, not to say wickedness, of such predatory plunder; the birds which do us harm are, comparatively, so few, that, the House-sparrow perhaps excepted, (and he fears that he must except the house-sparrow of the country,) benevolence would bid us leave them ALL to their enjoyments-a moderate degree of care being sufficient to prevent any of their serious depredations. It is hoped that his inconsiderate example will be no inducement to any one to follow the idle and heartless pursuit of bird's-nesting. No one can more truly regret than the author now does the pains to which his heedless and silly curiosity, or something worse, subjected them.

Should, therefore, any fact relative to the birds of this country be stated in the following pages, which may not seem in accordance with what is stated in books, or even with the experience of the accurate observer of nature→ the Natural Historian, it is hoped that it will not be forgotten, that many facts may be observed in one place which might not occur in another. Even the nidification of birds,

although in general pretty uniform, undergoes, occasionally some modification in consequence of the ease or difficulty with which certain materials can be obtained. We must not, therefore, be in haste to condemn what we have not ourselves witnessed. In the Natural History of Birds, even of those with which we are most familiar, we are still greatly deficient; there can be no doubt that more extended observation will add very materially to our knowledge of this truly delightful department of nature.

The author takes the present opportunity of returning his sincere and best thanks to those kind and intelligent FRIENDS and CORRESPONDENTS who have so promptly and liberally communicated to him many facts concerning the Natural History of Birds which were not previously known; and also for their hints and suggestions for the improvement of his work. Some of these gentlemen are specifically mentioned in the Introduction or the Notes; but he deems it incumbent upon him to state that he is indebted for valuable information to Dr. LATHAM, to whose interesting and voluminous work on Birds he is also under considerable obligation; to N. A. VIGORS, ESQ. M.A. F.L.S., &c. the learned Secretary of the Zoological Society, and the ingenious expounder of the Quinary Arrangement; to Dr. HORSFIELD, the author of Zoological Researches ; to the POET LAUREATE; to RICHARD TAYLOR, Esq. F.L.S.; to the Rev. W. L. BOWLES; the Rev. W. PHELPS; to J. G. CHILDREN, Esq. F.L.S. &c. and Secretary, to the Royal Society; to W. YARREL, Esq. F.L.S. whose collection of English Birds, and their eggs, as well as many anatomical preparations of Birds, evince, at once, his zeal and his extensive knowledge of this interesting science; and to R. SWEET, Esq. F.L.S. for whose valuable communication on

the singing of some of the warbler tribe in the Introduction, the author is also particularly indebted and obliged. Nor must he omit the name of Mr. DAVID DON, the ingenious librarian of the Linnean Society, who has, on numerous occasions, most kindly assisted the author in his ornithological researches.

While the author regrets that so long a time has elapsed since the first announcement of his work, the delay has been, from the state of trade, unavoidable,― yet the delay itself has been of infinite advantage to the completion of the volume. The substance of all the Lectures on Ornithology which the author gave during the last summer, at the City of London Institution, is incorporated in this work.

The student, in consulting the following pages, ought most carefully to attend to what is stated in the Introduction. The INDEX, as it includes most of the provincial names of Birds, will considerably assist those who are not acquainted with the scientific terms. As the names of many Birds are mentioned in the Poem which have no notes of reference annexed, when information is wanted concerning them, recourse should be had to the Index.

It may seem almost superfluous to add that, as the author is desirous of rendering his work as interesting and complete as possible, a notice of any errors, or of any striking and recently observed facts concerning BIRDS, will be most thankfully received, if addressed to the author, at the publishers', free of expence, and with an authenticated signature.

Convinced as the author is that a kuowledge of Natural History is best conveyed through the alluring medium of Poetry; if his present effort be approved, it is his intention to proceed (should health and opportunity permit,) in a similar way with the remainder of the Animal kingdom. The whole will then be arranged in the following manner; I. MAMMALIA, or the QUADRUPEDS, and other animals which suckle their young; characterized by a heart having two ventricles and two auricles; the blood being red and warm; viviparous.

II. ORNITHOLOGIA, (the present Work,) or the BIRDS; the characters of which are the same as in the first class except that BIRDS are oviparous, covered with feathers, and furnished, for the most part, with wings, so as to be able to raise themselves in the air.

III. AMPHIBIA, which will include the Serpent, Crocodile, Frog, Toad, &c.; in this class the heart has but one ventricle and one auricle; the blood being red but cold; inspiration and expiration, in some measure, voluntary.

IV. ICHTHYOLOGIA, or the FISHES; the heart of this class has the same structure, and the blood similar qualities with those of the amphibia; but Fishes are distinguished by brunchiæ, or gills, and by having no such voluntary command of the lungs.

V. ENTOMOLOGIA, or the INSECTS; the heart has one ventricle, but no auricle; the blood is cold and white; this class has also antennæ or feelers.

VI. HELMINTHOLOGIA, or the WORMS; the characters of which are the same as in class V.; this Class has, however, no antennæ, but is furnished with tentacula.

And thus become, it is hoped, useful and amusing manuals of the science of Animal Natural History; and prove, besides, the author hopes and believes, that POETRY can be rendered subservient to NATURE and to TRUTH.

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