ANECDOTES
OF
THE HABITS AND INSTINCT
OF ANIMALS.

In making a selection of anecdotes, those have been assembled which weresupplied by me to other works, and in most instances have receivedconsiderable amplification; others have been given which never beforewere printed—perhaps not even written; while all which have beentransferred from other pages to mine have received the stamp ofauthenticity. Besides those whose names are already mentioned, I have tothank several friends who have drawn from their private stores for myadvantage, and thus enabled me to offer much that is perfectly new.

Dry details of science and classification have been laid aside, but acertain order has been kept to avoid confusion; and, although endeavourshave been made to throw as much interest as possible over theserecorded habits and actions of the brute creation; I love the latter toowell to raise a doubt by one word of embellishment, even if I did notabstain from principle.

The intentions with which this work was commenced have not been carriedout, inasmuch as materials have crowded upon me beyond all calculation;and, although a large portion has been rejected, the anecdotes relatedgo no farther than the Mammalia, while almost all animals were to havebeen included.

With regard to the remaining orders—if the present work should meetwith a favourable reception, I shall hope next year to present thepublic with touching and amusing proofs of the sagacity and dispositionsof birds, and of "hair-breadth scapes" from reptiles, etc., some ofwhich will, like those in the present volume, be carefully selected fromthe works of travellers, from the resources of friends, and from my ownexperience.

To the pleasing task of enlightening those, who, shut up in closecities, have no opportunity of observing for themselves, and to thestill higher enjoyment of directing young minds to an elevating pursuit,the naturalist adds a gratification even better than all, by makingknown the hidden wonders of nature; and leaving to those who delight inargument, the ever unsolved question of where instinct ends and reasonbegins, he sets forth the love of the great Creator towards all Hiscreatures, and the ways He takes to show His wisdom.