( 1*2 ) 



I have examined. I am makiiii,' this statement as 1 anticipate severe criticism 

 on acconnt of the revi)liitionarv nature of tliis List. 



I say " revolutionarv,'" as this is the first attempt to detcrniiiu' the subspecies 

 of Australian birds, as at present icnown, and indicate their range. Hitherto odd 

 subspecies liave been described by various authors, as odd specimens from distant 

 localities impressed them with their peculiarities. Long series from as many 

 localities as possible, have enabled me to indicate the many subspecies, often 

 connecting forms previously recorded, and define their ranges. In many cases, 

 however, lack of material has caused me to omit any but striking subspecies, 

 though it would seem certain that connecting forms are existent. It must 

 be remarked that A. J. North, in the Australian Masi'tim Sjjccial Vataloi/nc 

 No. ], has defined many subspecies, but without naming them, only now and 

 then doing so with the more striking forms. But we must remember that, from 

 the point of view of the student of geographical distribution, all subspecies are of 

 the same value. It is imjierativc that the ditif'creut subspecies be named, in order 

 that reference can be made to tiie forms in ipiestion ; and I have therefore 

 undertaken that task in this List, and the correct nomination has involved the 

 investigation of each synonym, the determination of the type-locality of such, 

 anil all the details necessary for the accurate appreciation of the subspecies. The 

 amount of work this has involved can only be understood by those who have 

 undertaki'ii similar tasks. In order to make this List absolutely a Kefereuce 

 List for the Australian Ornithologist, I now give the synonyms I have brought 

 together, and also my reasons for the additional changes wiiich have been necessitated 

 since the publication of my two papers in this Journal already noted. In my 

 Handlist 1 gave references to prior works, as noted in the Preface, and as that 

 Handlist is now generally available in Australia I have confined myself in this 

 List to a simple reference to that Handlist. I have been compelled to adhere 

 to the classification therein followed down to Family groups, as, though admittedly 

 imperfect in many details, no better one is available, and I do not feel competent 

 to advise any radical alterations at the present time. As regards Genera, 1 have 

 been almost in the same quandary, and have admitted the majority of those 

 used in the Handlist, only eliminating a few, which I have concluded, from amjile 

 material and after careful consideration, to be unnecessary. I, however, do not 

 regard many of those now recognised as worthy of generic rank, and anticipate 

 their relegation to the " unemployed list " when working the groups for my 

 Birds of Australia. 



With regard to the type-localities of the subspecies and synonyms lierewilh 

 given, I want it to be clearly understood that when in the original description 

 the general locality "Australia" only was given, 1 have determined, by research, 

 the probable locality whence the specimen was obtained, and, if that was impossible, 

 I have designated a jiossible locality. In every case, whether I have definitely 

 stated so or not, the localities here given as type-localities must ije regarded as 

 designated by me as such and accepted as final — unless, of course, I have erred 

 in some vital manner. 



It is impossible fur nic to leave tliis suliject without touching up(.m the lessons 

 which my examination of luy series has taught me. lioberl Hall, in the Preface 

 to ills " Key to the Birds of Australia," sketched the geographical distribution 

 of our Passeres, and followed this with another article on the " Distribution of 

 Australian Laud Birds'" l^Vruc Roy. Hoc. Tasmania, I'.Uu). 'llR'se two articles, 



