Excerpt from Habits and Characters of Various Wild Animals

It is, of course, impossible to write from personal observation and study all the data that are neces sary for the completion of a book of this kind. One may be tolerably familiar with the life-habits and customs of a certain beast, may indeed regard it as an intimate friend; but life is too short for one to learn from practical observation all the details concerning it that are necessary its changes of coat, length of life, and so on. If one could devote all one's studies to one particular species, it might be possible; but in dealing with several there comes a point when inaccuracy must be risked or extensive references made. Realising this, my method has been first to write all I know concerning the animal dealt with, and, this done, to apply to outside authority for such supple mentary evidence as might prove necessary. If my original notes have appeared sufficient, they have been left untouched; and in every case my own data, when sufficiently wide, have been given, whether or not they happen to coincide with the notes of other, and probably far better qualified, naturalists. On other occasions, personal data on a certain point have either been entirely lacking or insufficiently substantial, in which case the best authorities have been sought and quoted.

A final reading of the finished chapters has brought home very forcibly the realisation that at least half the information contained in this volume is the result of the studies of my boyhood.

It dates back from my ninth year, and a very large number of the incidents quoted occurred during the succeeding seven years. In those days the study of wild birds and animals, particularly animals, combined with an intense love for angling, led me to explore many lonely mountain lochs and forests, and was so absorbing an attraction that it is to be feared it excluded studies of a more important kind. I had no books on British animals so far as the school library was concerned, no one seemed to have written any, and during holidays a reference library was not within hailing distance. The natural history books annually presented by kindly relatives were given over to such curiosities of the African veldt and the Indian jungle as best lent themselves to illus tration, and contained nothing concerning the creatures I knew and loved. Gamekeepers, stone breakers, and water-bailiffs were the only references available; and I very soon learnt that the sole way to acquire accurate knowledge was to find out for one's self - a state of affairs for which I to-day thank my lucky star!

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