INTRODUCTION. 



In the present volume 448 species are described, represented by 

 4590 specimens. Of these the Museum contains the types of 88, 

 and 52 species are still desiderata to the collection. 



The series of Neotropical birds has been rendered wonderfully 

 complete by the addition of the collections of Dr. Sclater and of 

 Messrs. Salvin and Godman ; whilst through the hearty co-operation 

 of Professor Baird, on behalf of the United-States National Museum, 

 numerous valuable North- American birds have been received during 

 the past year. 



The collection of the Old-World species of the families described 

 in the present volume is also tolerably perfect ; and many of the 

 migratory species are represented by series of specimens illustrating 

 their geographical distribution in a full and satisfactory manner. 

 Much remains to be done to complete our knowledge of the changes 

 of plumage of the "Wagtails and Pipits. In my study of the latter 

 birds I have not relied solely on the series in the British Museum, 

 but I have likewise examined the collections of Canon Tristram, 

 Capt. Wardlaw-Eamsay, Capt. Shelley, Mr. Seebohm, and Mr. F. 

 Nicholson, to each of whom I return my thanks. 



The Museum is also under obligation to the foUowiug gentle- 

 men for the loan of valuable specimens : — Count Salvadori, Marquis 

 Doria, Mr. H. K. Coale (of Chicago, U.S.A.), and Prof. Mattozo 

 Santos (Director of the Eoyal Zoological Museum at Lisbon). 



The affixes to the specimens are the same as in previous volumes 

 of the Catalogue. "[P.]" means "Presented by;" "[C] "= 

 " Collected by ;" " [E.] " = " Received in exchange." Where none of 

 these signs are used, the specimens have been acquired by purchase. 



R. BOWDLEE SHARPE. 



British Museum (N. H.), 

 March 9, 186r-<. ' 



