BIRDS OF BRITAIN

BY
J. LEWIS BONHOTE
M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S.
MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION

WITH
100 ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOUR
SELECTED BY
H. E. DRESSER
FROM HIS ‘BIRDS OF EUROPE’

LONDON
ADAM AND CHARLES BLACK
1907
Published November 1907

MISSEL THRUSH
Turdus viscivorus
Adult (right). Young (left)

PREFACE

The study of Nature has of late years enormously increased,and there is probably no branch of its varied and inexhaustibleinterests which appeals more strongly to youngand old than the fascinating study of Birds.

Every one feels more or less interested in Birds, whetherit be from pure affection for the Robins and Tits which begour hospitality during the winter months, or joy at thecoming of the Swallow and Cuckoo as heralds of spring.

For some the interest is perhaps merely a passing regretat the shooting of one of our rare and beautiful migrants,while with others the real love of bird life makes it amoment of intensest pleasure when, for instance, themelodious note of the Nightingale makes us dimly realisesomething of the innate beauty of Nature herself.

In the following pages will be found not only descriptionsand plates of the birds themselves, but, whereverpossible, notes on their ways and habits have also beengiven. These notes having been taken at first hand straightfrom Nature, it is hoped that they may give a small insightviinto some of those beautiful mysteries which it is ourambition to unravel, and that, at the same time, they mayawaken and stimulate a further desire to know still moreof the workings of the great laws of the Universe and thepart they play in the lives of even the least of the featheredcreatures.

It has been thought best to include in this book everyspecies which has been known to occur in Great Britain,with a description of their leading characteristics and truehabitat, so that any bird met with may be easily identified;and the plates have been carefully selected so as to giveexamples of the most typical species.

For facts relative to geographical distribution and othertechnical details the author has freely consulted Mr. HowardSaunders’ Manual of British Birds.

In conclusion, the author hopes most sincerely that thisbook may often prove to be of help and service to thegenuine seeker after reliable information on British Birds,and also that it may encourage observation and furtherresearch in a branch of Natural History where discoveryever stimulates to fresh discovery and where interest neverfails.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

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