PREFACE. 



The Eighth Volume of the ' Catalogue of Birds in the British 

 iluseum ' contains an account of all the species of Titmice, Shrikes, 

 Creepers, and Nuthatches known at present. It was prepared by 

 Dr. H, Gadow, who has also completed the manuscript of the 

 succeeding volume, which will contain the Cinnyrimorphse and is 

 already in the press. The total number of species described 

 amounts to 4(t2, of which no less than 337 are in the British 

 iluseum ; they are represented by 2944 examples. 



Of the principal donors I have to mention H. I. and R. Highness 

 the Crown Prince Rudolph of Austria, B. H. Hodgson, Esq., F. D. 

 (jodman, Esq., 0. Salvin, Esq., Capt. Stackhouse Pinwill, W. E. and 

 C. G. Gates, Esqrs., H. Seebohm, Esq., Lord Walsingham, Capt. 

 Shelley, and Lieut.-Col. Irby. 



In consequence of the author's departure from London, it was 

 found necessary to intrust the correction of the proof-sheets, and 

 especially the revision of the lists of specimens, to the experience 

 of Mr, Sharpe ; but all corrections were submitted to the author 

 for his approval before the sheets were sent to press. 



ALBERT GiJNTHER, 



Keeper of the Department of Zoologij. 



British Museum, 

 June 28, 1883. 



