8 PREFATORY NOTE. 



the tip of the longest rectrix. The other dimensions have all been taken 

 with sharply-pointed dividers, the arms of which were about 150""° long; 

 dimensions too long to be measured with those were taken by a steel 

 tape measure. 



Careful attention has been given to the color of the soft parts which 

 have been recorded only when they could be described from the per- 

 fectly fresh bird, and were invariably noted down before skinning it. 



Whenever the sex is recorded it has been determined anatomically 

 by myself, except in a few cases where it was determined in a similar 

 way by others, in which case it has been included in parenthesis. In 

 no instance is the sex given from external characters. 



For some species a full synonymy has been given, but in most cases 

 only such authors are quoted who have treated of the birds of Kam- 

 tschatka and surrounding regions, both on the Asiatic and the Ameri- 

 can side, directly and particularly. Eeferences to general works are 

 therefore only seldom met with. Whenever it has been impossible for 

 me personally to verify a quotation the number of the page has been 

 given in parenthesis. In most cases these have been compared with 

 the citations of several authors, but the present writer disclaims any 

 responsibility for figures thus designated, seeing how generally errors 

 are perpetuated and dispersed by copying references without verifying 

 them. 



I have to acknowledge thankfully the aid I received from every per- 

 son with whom I came into contact during my explorations in that re- 

 mote corner of the world. It is especially a pleasure to me to mention 

 the many valuable additions to my collection kindly placed in my hands 

 by Governor N. Grebnitski, who, not only during my sojourn on the 

 islands, assisted me in every possible way, but also later sent me a fine 

 series of birds brought together during the year 1883-'84. Captain 

 Hunter, an American gentleman, now residing in Petropaulski, also 

 presented me with a box containing Kamtschatkan birds, and to Mr. 

 John Malavanski my thanks are due for kind assistance iu procuring 

 specimens from the neighborhood of Petropaulski while I was away on 

 the islands. To Mr. Carl Osche's skill as a hunter many of the rarer 

 specimens are due, and many of the natives took pride and pleasure in 

 bringing me desirable objects. The officers of the steamer "Alexander", 

 belonging to Messrs. Hutchinson, Kohl, Philippeus & Co., as also the 

 agents of this firm, did all iu their power to insure my success. It may 

 also be but just to mention the benefit I derived from Dr. Dybowski's 

 suggestions and communications during the first summer. 



