REPORT ON THE BIRDS. 3 



leading authorities on Indian ornithology, of Dr Otto Finsch of Bremen, of Professor T. 

 Salvadori of Turin, of Mr Howard Saunders — unrivalled in his knowledge of the Laridse 

 — and of Mr W. A. Forbes, F.Z.S. With the co-operation of these gentlemen, and of my 

 constant friend and fellow-worker. Mr Osbert Salvin, I proceeded to work upon the 

 collection. 



Preliminary reports on the results of our labours were read before the Zoological 

 Society of London, and published from time to time, with the permission of the Treasury, 

 in the Society's " Proceedings." The present Eeport consists mainly of a reprint of these 

 preliminary reports, with such additions and alterations as have been rendered necessary 

 by the progress of science since their publication. 



The thirty coloured plates, which illustrate the most remarkable species obtained 

 during the Expedition, have in every case been taken from specimens belonging to the 

 Challenger series. 



According to the arrangements made by Sir Wyville Thomson with H.M. Govern- 

 ment, the whole of the collection of bird-skins and eggs, with the exception of the few 

 duplicates, will be deposited in the British Museum, as soon as the present Report is 

 completed. 



P. I, S. 



