232 Letters, Announcements, 8^c. 



which to make such an index ; and accordingly the work was 

 begun. To make this index more valuable, it was determined 

 to give not only the generic and specific names as they now 

 appear in the index to each volume, but also to combine 

 with them, in alphabetical arrangement, the reversed order, 

 where the specific name is the initial word. This has exactly 

 doubled the magnitude of my task ; but I am certain that the 

 increased utility of the index will not only justify the extra 

 trouble it has involved, but also the additional expense that 

 has been incurred. The readiest process of making an index 

 of this sort is not so easy a matter as would appear at first 

 sight ; but after some consideration, I adopted the following 

 plan as being the quickest in the end and as involving the 

 least chance of errors. The index of each volume was copied 

 out, the year being inserted after the specific name. These 

 indexes were then cut into slips and their contents arranged 

 together in alphabetical order. I had thus the combined in- 

 dexes of the eighteen volumes in which the generic name alone 

 was the initial word. This arranged index was then recopied, 

 and, by the use of transfer paper, a double impression was 

 obtained. In these copies I had the generic name inserted in 

 brackets after the specific name as well as before. In one of 

 the indexes thus prepared the first generic name was erased, 

 and in the other the second. The two indexes were then cut 

 into slips and combined in alphabetical order. The MS. was 

 then ready for press. In this part of the work I was fortunate 

 in obtaining much help ; but at each stage I have myself re- 

 vised the work ; and the result is, I have every reason to believe, 

 an accurate combination of all the indexes. The volume, 

 which is now almost complete, will contain about 420 pages 

 of closely printed index matter, arranged in double columns. 

 To the end of the generic and specific index an index of the 

 birds figured in the three series is added. 



At the Meeting of the B. O. U. held in May of last year 

 (1878), the proposal to print this General Index was approved 

 of, and a sufficient sum of money was guaranteed to justify 

 the commencement of printing the work. At the Meeting 

 to be held next month I hope to have the volume ready for 

 distribution. — O. S. 



