Part 1

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BRITISH BIRDS IN THEIR HAUNTS

By the late REV. C. A. JOHNS, F.L.S. Author of Flowers of the Field

Edited, Revised, and Annotated by J. A. OWEN Author of Birds in their Seasons, etc. Collaborator in all Books by a 'SON OF THE MARSHES'

Illustrated with 64 Coloured Plates (256 Figures) by WILLIAM FOSTER, M.B.O.U.

WITH A GLOSSARY OF COMMON AND PROVINCIAL NAMES AND OF TECHNICAL TERMS

TWELFTH EDITION

LONDON

GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & SONS, LIMITED

NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO.

+-----------------------------------------------+ | | | UNIFORM WITH THIS WORK. | | | | Each with a series of Coloured Plates and | | Text-illustrations. | | | | FLOWERS OF THE FIELD. By C. A. JOHNS, | | F.L.S., revised by CLARENCE ELLIOTT. | | | | BRITISH BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS. | | By Dr. W. E. KIRBY. | | | | BRITISH FERNS AND THEIR ALLIES. | | By C. T. DRUERY. | | | | BRITISH FUNGI. By GEORGE MASSEE, | | of Kew Gardens. | | | | BRITISH TREES AND SHRUBS. | | By C. A. JOHNS. Edited by E. T. COOK. | | | | ILLUSTRATED NATURAL HISTORY OF THE WORLD. | | By ERNEST PROTHEROE, F.Z.S. | | | | ALPINE PLANTS OF EUROPE. By H. S. THOMPSON. | | With 64 coloured plates. | | | | -------------- | | GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & SONS, LTD. | | | +-----------------------------------------------+

JOHN'S BIRDS, EDITED BY OWEN.

First Edition, February, 1909; Reprinted, July, 1910; Reprinted, December, 1915; Reprinted, November, 1917; Reprinted, June, 1919; Reprinted, January, 1921; Reprinted, October, 1922; Reprinted, March, 1925; Reprinted, August, 1928; Reprinted, December, 1931; Reprinted, January, 1935; Reprinted, January, 1938.

Printed in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner Ltd., Frome and London

EDITOR'S PREFACE

This admirable work by the late Rev. C. A. Johns, F.L.S., which is now offered in a new form, has already proved the making of many a naturalist and it will be a delight and help to many more nature lovers who wish to determine a species without recourse to bulky scientific works.

In editing the present edition I have carefully preserved all Mr. Johns' delightful personal stories and his descriptions of the birds and their daily life in their haunts, but I have brought the scientific arrangement of the species up to date, as well as altered the nomenclature, in accordance with present-day knowledge and use.

We begin with the Passeres because modern ornithologists are now nearly all agreed that this order attains the highest Avian development.

I have rectified statements as to the local distribution of various species which, with the progress of time and local changes, no longer apply, and have added facts here and there which I considered of some value.

The faithful and beautiful presentments made by Mr. William Foster for this new edition have no need of our commendation to the public.

J. A. OWEN.

SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT OF THE GENERA OF BIRDS

(Numbered in accordance with the Plates and Descriptions in this Volume.)

ORDER PASSERES (PERCHING BIRDS)

Bill various; feet adapted for perching on trees or on the ground (not for grasping, wading, or swimming); toes four, all in the same plane, three before and one behind; claws slender, curved, and acute. Food, various; that of the nestlings, perhaps in all instances, soft insects.

FAMILY TURDIDÆ (THRUSHES)

Bill as long as the head, compressed at the sides; upper mandible arched to the tip, which is not abruptly hooked, notch well marked, but not accompanied by a tooth; gape furnished with bristles; feet long, with curved claws. Food--insects, snails and fruits.

SUB-FAMILY TURDIDÆ