PREFACE. 



The Sixth Yoliime of the ' Catalogue of Birds in the British 

 Museum' has been prepared by Mr. E. B. Sharpe, author of the 

 first four volumes of this work. Various causes have somewhat 

 delayed its publication ; but it is hoped that the succeeding volume 

 (which will conclude the family Timeliidce, and which has made 

 considerable progress) will appear within the space of a twelve- 

 month, as also that, with additional extraneous help, the work 

 generally wiU make more rapid progress than has hitherto been 

 possible. 



ALBERT GUNTHER, 

 Keeper of the Department of Zoology. 



British Museum, 

 December 1881. 



