INTRODUCTION TO THE CATALOGUE OF 

 GAVLE. 



Few iutroductory remarks are requisite for my portiou of the present 

 volume, inasmuch as the current opinions respecting the systematic 

 position of the Order Gavia3 are set forth briefly — but it is to be 

 hoped adequately — on pp. 1-3. It is, however, necessary to allude to 

 the important collections which have been presented to the National 

 Museum of late years, and which have so greatly facilitated the 

 study of the Lnriclf : namely, those of the late Lord Tweeddale 

 and of Major AVardlaw llamsay, Mr. A. 0. Hume, Mr. Henry 

 Seebohm, and Messrs. Salvin and Godman. And it is incumbent 

 upon me to make special reference to the energetic collectors 

 and generous donors who have contributed largely to our knowledge 

 of this family of birds. In the front rank of these are Admiral 

 A. H. Markham, Commander J. K. H. MacFarlane, Staff-Pay- 

 master H. M. Harrison, Colonel H. W. Feilden, Colonel W. V. 

 Legge, R.A., Mr. Ernest Gibson, and Mr. John Young ; while the 

 Hon. Walter Rotlischild placed his entire collection at my disposal. 

 Nor must the names of Lord Lilford, Professor D. Gill, Messrs. 

 W. T. Blanford, J. A. Harvie-Brown, Gervase Mathew, R.N., 

 S. F. Rowland, and G. Stephen be omitted. For the loan of specimens 

 and much 'assistance in the United States, thanks are due to the 

 authorities at the Smithsonian Institution, Mr. William Brewster 

 and Dr. C. Hart Merriara. I am also under obligation to Dr. R. 

 Bowdler Sharpe and Mr. W. R. Ogilvie-Grant for their ready 

 co-operation during the two years spent in working at the 

 Museum. 



HOWARD SAUXDKRS. 

 7 Radnor Place, W., 

 Julv oU, 18'.);"). 



