T EM PO K A R Y 1N T RO I) U C T [ ON
A FEW words by way »f ¡1 temporary introduction appear to be necessary. It is hoped thai
t h o s e who t a k e up these pagea will bear in mind that the t i t l e lends t h em to expect n o t h i n g beyond
" rough n o t e s ."
I have stated (imply w h i t lias come under my own observation, with the addition of a few
facts picked up from those whose occupation! have brought them constantly i n t o contact with all
kinds of wild life. I am w i l l aware that n a t u r a l i s t s have so frequently drawn attention to what
t h e y have been pleased to style the ignorance displayed by gamekeepers, that they would Utterly
condemn alt information acquired from such sources. During my wanderings by sea and land
I have, however, learned much concerning the habits of many scarce species, that I have
subsequently proved to be correct, from keepers and foresters, as well as from iishermen ami
c o a s t - g u n n e r s . As these pages do not profess to diffuse scientific knowledge, I consider there
is no harm in giving any information gained in this manner that tends to describe the habits
of b i r d s , s o long as t h e sources from which it was o b t a i n e d a r e plainly m a d e known.
Except where it readily strikes the eye, any attempt at the description of minute detail- of
plumage has been o m i t t e d ; and those who desire such particulars as the relative lengths of
t h e first and second primaries, the number of feathers in the tail, or the construction of the
internal organs had belter not waste their time over ' R o u g h Notes.'
The d a t e s , on which great care and attention have been bestowed by my friend X E A L E,
a r e taken entirely from subjects in my own collection. Occasionally I have come across