Preface.
Ornithology being a very extensive branch of Natural History, complete works on that subject, if well executed, must be attended with very great expence to the publisher, and consequently must cost an high price to the purchasers of copies. I hope, therefore, it will not be unacceptable to the lovers of Songbirds, to be possessed of an History of these alone, separated from all the rest.
No one who takes a walk in the fields in a summer morning, can fail of being agreeably entertained by the Feathered Warblers, and may perhaps return with a wish to be informed in the history of the individuals which have afforded pleasure of so refined and so exalted a kind.
The country gentleman, who is desirous to know what species of Birds they are which with their song so agreeably enliven the trees in his avenue, or the shrubs in his wilderness, may not be willing to go to the enormous expence of a general History of Birds, with figures faithfully drawn, and coloured from nature.
The lady who gives place in the apartments of her house to a few pretty Song-birds, may wish to be informed of their manners, nests, eggs, food, places of resort, &c. &c, in a wild state, or state of nature; at the same time having no desire to acquaint herself with the history of the vulture, the cormorant, the crow, the gull, the booby, the dottrell, &c. &c.
The Nests of Birds, containing the Eggs, faithfully copied from the natural subjects, will not, I trust, be unacceptable to ladies, to ornithologists, and to all those who find pleasure in contemplating the works of nature.
The Eggs of many[1] of the British Birds, are excellently figured in a superb work on British Birds, now publishing by Mr. Lewin. These were painted from the natural subjects in the late Portland Museum, most of which subjects
- ↑ an erratum has been applied (Wikisource contributor note)
