Page:The British Warblers A History with Problems of Their Lives - 9 of 9.djvu/113



first it occurred to me to record certain facts which I had observed in regard to the behaviour of some of the Warblers, my intention was to include only those species whose habits and instincts I felt I could discuss with some authority as a result of systematic and prolonged study. But it soon became evident that the inclusion of a number of species which, during migration, rest for a while on some of the most inhospitable parts of our shores might be desirable, and I therefore decided that a coloured figure of these rarer species, together with a description of their plumage and a short account of their distribution, should form a part of this work. Opinion will probably be divided as to the wisdom of this decision; some will no doubt think that their inclusion adds little to the value whilst certainly contributing largely to the expense.

It is inevitable that one's views become modified or even altered in the course of time, and during the progress of this work, which has extended over a period of some seven or eight years, I have from time to time been conscious of the fact that I was departing to some extent from views expressed, perhaps too strongly, at the commencement. I must therefore plead for some indulgence and ask that the various life histories shall be read in the order in which they appeared.

It only remains for me to acknowledge my indebtedness to those who have so kindly given their assistance. Professor Goeldi, M. Buturlin, Dr. Otto Herman, Count Salvadori, Mr. H. F. Witherby and Mr. Collingwood Ingram have supplied me with valuable information concerning geographical distribution, and in this respect also the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain