PREFACE. 



The number of specimens of eggs enumerated by Mr, Oates in this 

 second volume of his ' Catalogue ' is just 15,000. The Crowley 

 Bequest proves from its registration, which has not yet been 

 completed, to have added very largely to the series of eggs in 

 the National Collection, and it has supplied a large number of 

 desiderata. It is especially rich in eggs of Australian birds, of 

 which the Museum had not a good series, and a glance at the 

 following pages will show how important have been the accessions 

 from Mr. Crowley's bequest. 



As before, the editing of this volume has been undertaken by 

 Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, the Assistant Keeper in charge of the Sub- 

 Department of Vertebrata. 



E. EAY LANKESTER, 



Director. 



British Museum (Natural History), 

 February 1, 1902. 



