PREFACE. 



On bringing to a conclusion the fourth volume of 

 the Seventh Series of ' The Ibis,' the Editors wish to 

 record their thankfulness for the unflagging support 

 that they continue to receive from their friends and 

 correspondents in all parts of the world. The 

 present volume is above the average in size, and 

 several valuable articles already received must neces- 

 sarily stand over until the next number. 



A great ornithological event of the year 1898 

 will be the completion of the * Catalogue of Birds 

 in the British Museum,' the only descriptive account 

 of the whole Class of Birds accomplished since the 

 days of Latham. The twenty-sixth volume (the only 

 one required to close the long series) is, we are 

 informed, actually in type, and will be ready for 

 issue soon after the present number of ' The Ibis ' is 

 in the hands of our readers. It is well that in this, 



