INTRODUCTION. 



The total number of species of Diurnal Birds of Prey at present 

 known amounts to 377. Of these, about 23 are doubtful or 

 problematical ; and of the remaining 354, 326 are represented in 

 the collection of the British Museum. 



The total number of specimens enumerated in this volume amounts 

 to 2466. Of the numerous acquisitions by which the collection has 

 recently been enriched, the following are the most important : — 



1. The complete collection of Mr. Wallace, which was secured last 

 year by the Trustees, and supplied a considerable number of desi- 

 derata, besides completing the series of many Moluccan species. 



2. The coUection of Birds of Prey of John Gould, Esq., F.R.S., 

 including the series of Falcons described and figured by him in the 

 ' Birds of Great Britain.' 



3. The entire collection of birds formed by Major J. Hayes Lloyd 

 in Kattiawar, and pi'esented by him to the Museum. 



4. A large collection of South-Afiican birds, presented by John 

 llocke, Esq. 



5. A series of many fine specimens of some of the rarer European 

 Birds of Prey, presented by Baron A. von Hiigel. 



6. The collection of Eagles made by Dr. Strader in the district 

 of the Southern Ural and adjacent parts. 



The list of desiderata has also been considerably decreased by 

 presents from the following gentlemen : — Professor Schlegel, Dr. 

 Westerman, Captain Shelley, Mr. W. "Wilson Saunders, Viscount 

 Walden, Messrs. Henry Ausell, A. Bouvier, Howard Saunders, W. 

 T. Blanford, J. H. Gurney, Captain Unwin, Professor Newton, and 

 the Rev. Chancellor Augustus Morgan. 



