PREFACE. 



There is li-ttle need for niucli to be said by way of 

 Preface to ' The Ibis.' Its objects are well known to, 

 and fully appreciated by, those who are the most active 

 labourers in the field of Ornithology, as every succeeding 

 Number testifies by the new names that are enrolled on 

 its list of contributors, while its old supporters are as 

 ready as ever to communicate to its pages the results of 

 their studies at home or observations abroad. 



To break the continuity of a Journal having a scope so 

 limited as that of 'The Ibis' by commencing a New 

 Series was an experiment involving no small risk, and 

 this risk seemed the greater to the present Editor w^hen 

 he considered that under the skilful guidance of his 

 friend and predecessor, Mr. P. L. Sclater, the Old 

 Series had won for itself such a high scientific position. 

 Owing to the generous support with which the New 

 Series has met, this danger, it is believed, has been suc- 

 cessfully surmounted, and the Editor has now only to 

 express his grateful acknowledgements to the Ornitho- 

 logists of every country and of every class for the cor- 

 dial assistance they have rendered him in the discharge 

 of his duty, 



A. N. 



Magdalene College, Cambridge. 

 September 1866. 



