PREFACE. 



The object of the present List has been to give a complete Catalogue 

 of the species of Birds (under their respective specific names, with 

 their synonyms) as found on the numerous Islands of the Pacific 

 Ocean, which are situated within the tropic between the longitudes 

 of 134° E. and 130° W. 



The space thus circumscribed embraces the groups of the Pelew, 

 Ladrone, Caroline, Marshall's, Gilbert's, and Sandwich Islands, and 

 various other scattered islands on the north of the Equator. It also 

 includes those of the Admiralty, New Britain, New Ireland, Solomon, 

 and Queen Charlotte's Islands, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, 

 Loyalty, Feejee, Samoan, Tonga, Cook's, Austral, Society, Low, and 

 Marquesas Islands, as well as the other outlying islands on the south 

 of the Equator. 



Latham in his ' General Synopsis ' was the first author who de- 

 scribed the different species of Birds of the numerous tropical islands, 

 specimens of which were obtained, or were represented in the many 

 drawings made by Sydney Parkinson, the Forsters, and Ellis, du- 

 ring the three Voyages undertaken by the great circumnavigator 

 Cook. To these are added, those recorded in the zoological portions 

 of the different foreign Voyages of discovery, as well as others which 

 have been procured by the more modern collectors. 



The species contained in the Museum Collection, from one or 

 other of the localities noticed, are exemplified by the letters B.M. 

 It may further be observed, that specimens of some of the other 

 species, noted in the Catalogue, may also be seen in the Museum 

 Collection as from other localities. 



JOHN EDWARD GRAY. 



October 1, 1859. 



