Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

BRITISH ANIMALS EXTINCT WITHIN HISTORIC TIMES - WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF BRITISH WILD WHITE CATTLE by JAMES EDMUND HARTING. PREFACE: FEW who have studied the literature of British Zoology can have failed to remark the gap which exists between Owens British Fossil Mammals and Birds, and Bells British Quadrupeds the former dealing chiefly with prehistoric remains, the latter with species which are still existing. Between these two admirable works a connecting link, as it were, seems wanting in the shape of a history of such animals as have become extinct in Britain within historic times, and to supply this is the aim ofthe present writer. Of the materials collected, during many years of research, some portion has been already utilized in a Lecture delivered by the author before the Hertfordshire Natural History Society, in October, 1879, and in several articles in the Popular Science Eeview and the natural history columns of The Field. The exigencies oftime and space, however, necessitated a much briefer treatment of the subject in the journals referred to than is here attempted, and to these essays, now presented to the reader in a con- solidated form, considerable additions have been made. That the subject admits of still further amplifica- tion the author is well aware but ars long a vita brevis est and the materials at present collected have already assumed such dimensions, that it has been deemed preferable to offer them to the reader in their present form, rather than postpone publica- tion indefinitely, in the hope ofsome day realizing an ideal state of perfection. Should the present volume pave the way for future research on the part of others, the Author will be amongst the first towelcome the result of their labours. He has already to acknowledge his indebtedness to Dr. J. A. Smith and Messrs. Edward Alston, J. A. Harvie Brown, and J. P. Hoare, whose taste in the same line of research has prompted them to favour him with several interesting commu- nications, which have been embodied in the following pages while to Dr. Smith he is especially obliged for the use of four woodcuts which were prepared to illustrate papers of his own in the Proceed- ings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. In regard to that portion of the present work which treats of the ancient breed of wild white cattle, it may be thought, by some, a little presump- tuous on the part of the writer to deal witha subject on which an entire volume has been so recently and so ably written by the late Mr. Storer. But it should be stated that almost all the materials for this portion of the book were not only collected long before Mr. Storers work was published, but were on the eve of being incorporated in an important essay by Mr. Edward Alston, which was nearly ready for the press when Mr. Storers volume appeared. ft would be ungenerous, however, on the part of the writer were he to withhold an acknowledgment of his indebtedness to Mr...

IN PRAISE OF HAWKING By James Edmund Harting With contributions by: Rev. Gage Earl Freeman and Col. H. Ward A READ COUNTRY BOOKS CLASSIC REPRINT This collection of scarce articles on falconry have been gleaned from sporting publications of the late 1800s. Both Harting and Freeman were well known falconers who wrote various books on the sport. They also contributed many learned articles to the sporting press of the time and were often requested for chapters on falconry for insertion in other authors books. This book carries selected items from the above, most of which will have been unread by the many devotees of this fast growing pastime. The book consists of 160 pages with superb black and white illustrations by famous wildlife artists Archibald Thorburn and George E. Lodge. Contents Include: Hawks and Hawking. Origins and History. The Boke of St. Albans. Hawking as Taught by the Boke of St. Albans. Taking Passage Hawks in Holland. How to Train a Passage Hawk. In Praise of Hawking. Rabbit Hawking. Partridge Hawking. Falcons and Falconry. Deer Hawking in India. By Col. H. Ward. etc. This book will appeal greatly to all with a serious interest in falcons and falconry. Many of the earliest sporting books, particularly those dating back to the 1800s are now extremely scarce and very expensive. READ COUNTRY BOOKS are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Originally published in 1864. The illustrated contents will prove of great interest to ornithologists, falconers and Shakespeare devotees. The detailed chapters contain: Shakespeare's General Knowledge of Natural History - The Eagle and Larger Birds of Prey - Hawks and Hawking - The Owl - Crows and their Relations - Song Birds - Birds Under Domestication - Game Birds and Quarry of Falconers - Wildfowl and Seafowl - Other Birds etc.Many of the earliest bird books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing many of these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.