THE EVERY DAY BOOK OF NATURAL HISTORY. Comprising a Note for every day on the FLOWERS, INSECTS, BIRDS, ANIMALS, &c., MOST COMMONLY OBSERVED ON RAMBLES INTO THE FREDERICK WARNE AND COMPANY, BEDFORD STREET, COVENT GARDEN. BRISTOL: W. MACK, 38, PARK STREET. 1866. 189. g. 15. PREFACE. THE larger proportion of the Notes comprised in the following pages, appeared, from time to time, in the columns of the Western Daily Press. At the request of numerous readers, they have been collected for publication in a portable form. The opportunity has been taken of revising and expanding the Notes previously printed, and of adding thereto such further Notes as appeared desirable, to render the series (one for each day in the year) complete. It is hoped that the volume may not prove unacceptable to that portion of the public who have neither time nor inclination for the scientific study of the various branches of Natural History, but who, nevertheless, cherish a deep abiding love for the works of Nature. The object sought to be attained has been, to give a brief but correct description of, and such anecdotes and legends as are connected with, the Wild Flowers, Insects, Birds, and Animals most commonly observed in rambles into the country throughout the year; in short, to form a volume adapted to the use of those rural excursionists who desire to attend to Nature's voice "from month to month And day to day, through the revolving year." REDLAND, BRISTOL, December, 1865. JAMES CUNDALL |