PREFACE. 



in the study of Ornithology, both with regard to any in- 

 accuracies of the present work, and especially additional 

 information on the habits, changes of plumage, &c., &c., 

 of such birds as are least known. He is happy to 

 be able to state that several gentlemen interested in 

 the study of Indian Birds, some of them previously 

 unknown personally to him, have commenced a corres- 

 pondence, and given him some valuable notes on various 

 species. They are too numerous to enumerate here, 'but 

 he cannot refrain from mentioning Dr. D. Scott, now at 

 Umballa ; Mr. F. Simson, B. C. S. ; Mr. Jos. Shillingford 

 of Kolassee ; and Mr. Brooks, Railway Engineer, Mir- 

 zapore. He much regrets that the length to which the 

 second volume has extended, has prevented his adding a 

 description of the Assamese and Burmese birds not in- 

 cluded in the Birds of India ; and the same reason has 

 rendered it unadvisable to give that extended table of 

 the geographical distribution of all the species which 

 he proposed in the introduction to the first volume. 



It is with no ordinary feelings of regret, that the 

 author has to record here the death of the nobleman 

 to whom this work was dedicated. Thus, two Viceroys, 

 under whose patronage this book has been planned and 

 carried out, have, in the short space of two years, gone 

 to their long home. Lord Canning, to whom, he may 

 say, this contribution to science owes its existence, ever 

 took a lively interest in its progress, and brought it 

 prominently before Lord Elgin, who warmly seconded 

 his predecessor's views ; and the author is glad to see 

 that this liberality has been duly appreciated by the 

 scientific world. He trusts that the next Viceroy will 

 see fit to continue the patronage of Government, to 



