PREFACE. 



In concluding the first volume of a new series of 

 ' The Ibis ' the Editors beg leave to tender their 

 best thanks to those who have contributed to its 

 pages for the good supply of papers they have received 

 during the year, and to congratulate the Members of 

 the British Ornithologists' Union on the excellent 

 quality and great interest of many of these com- 

 munications. 



It is, indeed, evident that great activity is now 

 prevalent in our favourite science, as in almost every 

 other branch of Natural History. Never before 

 were so many important publications on Ornithology 

 in progress, never were there so many workers en- 

 gaged in collecting specimens and observing facts 

 in nearly every part of the world's surface. 



The Editors look forward with confidence for a 

 continuation of the support that has been accorded 

 them. 



O. S. 

 P. L. S. 



October 1877. 



