IV 



compatible with a proper treatment of their subjects. 

 Thus their facts would stand forth more clearly, and 

 their valuable notes be better appreciated, than when 

 they are imbedded in a certain amount of matter of 

 less immediate importance, which is perhaps hardly 

 necessary. The mere number of pages that a worker 

 has now to turn over is fast becoming a laborious task. 

 With regard to the subjects which we venture to 

 commend to Ornitlndogists as worthy of special at- 

 tention, we may remark that in the Pterylography 

 and Anatomy of Birds much yet remains to be done, 

 especially as by their means fresh light may be thrown 

 upon the arrangement of the Passerine Birds, which, 

 it must be recollected, constitute nearly one-half of 

 the Class Aves. A renewed study of the wing- 

 structure of the Passeres might lead to valuable 

 results, and enable us to introduce some order into 

 the present chaotic state of that most important 

 group. 



P. L. S. ■) 

 A. H. E.i 



3 Hanover Square, 

 September 24th, 1901. 



