PREFACE. 



The object of this Hand-List is to give a complete List 

 of all the Genera with their subdivisions ; and also a com- 

 prehensive List of the species of Birds under the respective 

 divisions to which they are supposed to belong. 



The specific name in Antique (or thick) type exemplifies 

 those species that are contained in the British Museum ; whilst 

 the Roman (or thin) type exhibits those species that are at pre- 

 sent desiderata to the Collection. 



Various errata have been corrected in the Index of Specific 

 Names ; wherein will also be found numerous additional syno- 

 nyms, which are distinguished b}'^ = before the number ; while 

 species that have been subdivided, and some that are new, 

 which arc not previously recorded in the text of the book, are 

 shown by the letter ^, '^, &c., being affixed after the number of 

 the nearest allied species of the genus to which it belongs, thus 

 completing, as far as possible, the List of Species down to a very 

 recent date. 



JOHN EDWARD GRAY. 



July 8th, 1871. 



