X PREFACE. 



has been omitted. In the great majority of cases 

 the drawing and colouration of the adult male bird 

 in summer plumage is given ; but in many instances 

 the adult female and young are also described. 



The Appendix contains the names of birds which 

 are said to have occurred in a wild state in the 

 British Isles, but the claims of which to be included 

 in the British List are doubtful. 



At various times during the last ten years I 

 have received generous help from Mr. Richard 

 Howse, M.A. (Curator), Mr. Joseph Wright, many 

 members of the Committee, and the other officials 

 connected with the Natural History Museum, New- 

 castle-on-Tyne. Mr. John Jackson, taxidermist, 

 Newcastle-on-Tyne, has provided numerous and 

 various specimens for me to draw from, and the 

 members of the Ewen family, late of St. Mary's 

 Island, Northumberland, have also rendered valu- 

 able assistance in many ways. I am further deeply 

 indebted to Mr. Henry Hunter, Old Hartley, North- 

 umberland ; Mr. William Scott, Tynemouth ; the 

 brothers Pow, Whitley; Mr. Amos Winship, Beal ; 

 Mr. Edward Fenwick Wilson, Monk House, Tyne- 

 mouth ; Mr. Robert Wilson, Jun., Whitley; Mr. 

 T. W. Duncan, Monkseaton ; Mr. John Fenwick 

 Wilson, Marden, Cullercoats ; Mr. Emmanuel Fen- 

 wick Wilson, Lough House, Morpeth ; Mr. John 

 Avery, Christon Bank ; Mr. J. W. Turnbull, Cor- 

 bridge ; Mr. Alexander Martin, Broomhouse Lodge, 



