PREFACE. 



The causes of the delay in the publication of this, the twenty- 

 fourth volume of the Catalogue of Birds, are explained in the 

 Author's Introduction. 



In such a group as the Limicolse, which have widely extended 

 ranges of distribution, and migrate to almost all parts of the world, 

 the references in ornithological literature are naturally extremely 

 numerous, and the collection is also a remarkably extensive one. 



When the volume was nearly completed, the great series of 

 Wading-Birds which formed part of the collection of the late much- 

 lamented Mr. Henry Seebohm came to the Museum by his bequest. 

 These had to be incorporated either into the text in the part still 

 unfinished, or as Addenda to the earlier portions of the work. 



As in the case of the former volumes, Dr. Giinther has revised 

 the proofs, the greater part of which passed through the press 

 during his Keepership of the Zoological Department. 



W. H. FLOWER, 



Director. 

 British Museum (N. H.). 

 July 10th, 1896. 



