Practical ornithologists, however, who may take up this Handbook will see in it an attempt to supply a want which, not-understanding the admirable works above referred to, they must have frequently experienced for in two important respects, at least, if these fail to satisfy their requirements the do not distinguish with sufficient clearness the species which are truly indigenous to Great Britain from those which are but rare and accidental isidants nor do they indicate the sufficient authority the scientific nomenclature which should be adopted for the species of which they take cognizance. Without attention to the first of these points, it is impossible to form any thing like a correct estimate of the character of the British while to neglect the second is to perpetuate error, and to render perplexing that which should always be simple and intelligible. To supply these particular necessities is the object of the present work and on this account no attempt has been made to travel beyond the limits indicated by giving descriptions of the species or dilating upon their haunts, habits, seasonal changes of plumage, migrations, or geographical distribution. These and many other details may be derived from the souces above mentioned, and will doubtless be worked out more fully and more satisfactorily than ever in the forthcoming new edition of Yarrells work, for which English naturalists are anxiously expectant. Under these circumstances it is hoped that this Handbook will be regarded not in any sense as intended to rival or supplant misting or forthcomiug text-books on the subject, but to assist students in a manner and to an extent which has not been contemplated in the works referred to. The claims of species to rank as British, the proper scientific names which each should bear, the habitat of the rarer visitants, aid thc frequency or otherwise of their occurrence are points to which attention is almost exclusively directed in the following pages, To obtain accurate and reliable details upon these points no labour has been spared, no source of information neglected and although it is not pretended that no errors have escaped detection, but it is believed that upon investigation these will be found to be but fern and comparatively unimportant...........