PREFACE. 



In compiling this Handbook for the Waterloo 

 Museum, containing as it does a faithful account 

 of the most important facts and particulars in 

 connection with my collection of ornithological 

 specimens, it is incumbent upon me to make the 

 fullest acknowledgment of my great indebtedness 

 to Howard Saunders for much valuable information 

 obtained from his well-known " Manual of British 

 Birds." 



The information contained in a Museum Hand- 

 book should be based upon what is absolutely 

 reliable and indisputable, and such do I consider 

 Howard Saunders's Standard Work to be. I have 

 therefore taken the liberty of quoting him freely 

 upon all such matters as the nesting habits of our 

 British Birds, the colour of their eggs, the dates of 

 their arrival in and departure from our islands, and 

 their geographical range outside our limits. 



Information such as this could not possibly have 

 been afforded from my personal knowledge, 

 which must perforce be only very limited ; I trust, 

 therefore, that having stated clearly the authority 

 in connection with each quotation, I shall be 

 pardoned for having made such free use of 

 Howard Saunders's work. 



