134 Dr. Ho rs field's Systematic Arrangement 



Since the transfer of Java to the same nation which governed the 

 greatest portion of it subsequent to the beginning of the 17th 

 century, a new system of conduct has been adopted in every 

 point of view. Natural history is cultivated with ardour ; royal 

 patronage has been extended to it ; and persons of ability have 

 been engaged, and are now active in investigating Java, the 

 Moluccas, and various other portions of the Eastern archi- 

 pelago. If during the period above defined, when Java was 

 under the protection of the British nation, my humble labours 

 as a collector have in any manner increased our acquaintance 

 with the natural productions of the Indian archipelago, I shall 

 consider myself highly favoured if I may make my first report to 

 the scientific public by means of the Linnean Society. 



The collection was made on Java without any attempt at a 

 systematic arrangement. In the examination of the subjects, 

 and in the compilation of this essay, I have to acknowledge the 

 assistance which I have received from Dr. Leach. In the dis- 

 position of the families I have followed the order adopted by that 

 celebrated naturalist in the arrangement of the objects of orni- 

 thology at the British Museum. The Manuel d'Ornithologie of 

 Temminck has been my guide in regard to most of the genera, 

 and it is the last edition of that book to which I frequently refer. 

 Several genera are taken from Cuvier's Regne Animal, where 

 they are employed either as genera or as sub-genera ; and a few 

 new genera have been constructed, the distinguishing characters 

 of which it has been my endeavour to point out with perspi- 

 cuity. 



Ordo 



