PREFACE. 



The Collection of Pigeons in the British Museum consists of 7359 

 specimens, referred by the Author to 415 species. Only about one 

 tenth of the species known are unrepresented in the Collection ; 

 they belong chiefly to the Austro -Malayan and Polynesian Faunas ; 

 whilst of other species the series of specimens are almost complete, 

 having been obtained from the donations of Mr. A. Hume, and 

 especially of Messrs. Godman and Salvin, who were collecting 

 specimens of Pigeons for many years with the view of preparing 

 a completely illustrated Monograph of the Order. 



I have again the pleasure of acknowledging the conscientious 

 attention which the Author has given to this work in all its details, 

 and which renders it a worthy companion to the preceding volume 

 of this Catalogue. 



ALBERT GUNTHEK, 

 Keeper of the Department of Zoology. 



British Museum (N. H.), 

 .Tune 30, 1893. 



