TO THE READER OF THIS 

 VOLUME 



Kindly handle this book with the utmost 

 care on account of its fragile condition. 

 The binding has been done as well as pos- 

 sible under existing conditions and will 

 give reasonable wear with proper opening 

 and handling. ^ gg^ies of 



Your thoughtfulness icill he appreciated ader their 



ited to its 

 ^e received 

 uurmg tne 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. 



