4 Introduction. 



The Directions for working the Key are simple : 



Starting at No. i, select the character that applies to the specimen ; 

 take the number on the right-hand margin; turn to that, and 

 proceed until the name is reached. Should a wrong turn 

 be taken, the operator is soon aware of the fact by meeting 

 characters that obviously do not apply to the specimen 

 under notice. 

 A little practice soon makes one expert in the simple art of 

 observation. 



Should the genus of the bird, however, be known, the index will 

 quickly show from what number the species can be worked out. 



Complete descriptions after the name of each species might add 

 to the completeness of this Key, but as these already exist in " The 

 British Museum Catalogue of Birds " and in " A Key to the Birds 

 of Australia," by Robert Hall, reference, if required, might be 

 made to them. I have to acknowledge the help of both these. 

 The habitats indicated in the latter will be extremely useful. 



In offering this little work to the members of the Australasian 

 Ornithologists' Union, it is done in the hope that the}' will not 

 hesitate to give any advice that may improve the Key, especially 

 with the view of making it applicable to work in the open, without 

 the destruction of bird life. 



A. G. CAMPBELL. 



Melbourne, 2nd October, 1905. 



