VI PREFACE. 



The parts of the sternum occasionally mentioned in the 

 descriptions of orders are well known, with perhaps the ex- 

 ception of the manubrium or manubrial process, called by- 

 some writers the rostrum. This is a simple or compound 

 process, projecting forward at the middle of the anterior 

 border, just where the keel of the sternum joins the body, 

 and in front of the inner terminations of the coracoids. It 

 comprises a distal spine {spina externa) and a proximal one 

 [spina interna), either of which may be wanting. The spina 

 externa is either simple or forked. 



The descriptions in this, as in other volumes of the Fauna 

 of British India, are taken from the magnificent series of 

 Indian Birds in the British Museum (Natural History), and 

 every facility and assistance has been afforded to Mr, Oates 

 and myself by Sir W. H. Flower, the Director of the Natural 

 History Museum, and Dr. A. Giinther, Keeper of the De- 

 partment of Zoology. Especially we are under the greatest 

 obligations to the oflEicers in charge of the bird collection. 

 Dr. R. B. Sharpe and Mr. W. B. Ogilvie Grant, for aid of 

 every kind most freely and kindly afforded during the pro- 

 gress of the present work. Mr. Oates, when he left England, 

 made over to me all the notes he had prepared for the con- 

 tinuation of the work, and they have been of very great 

 service. I have also to express my obligations to Dr. J. A. 

 Waddell for a proof in advance of his excellent notes on 

 Sikhim birds prepared for the 'Gazetteer' of that province; to 

 Col. C. T. Bingham and Mr. Hauxwell for information about 

 Burmese species ; and to Dr. Warth and Mr. W. M. Daly 

 for lists of birds obtained in the Shevroy Hills. 



Whilst I regret that this is not the last of the series of 

 volumes containing the descriptions of Indian Yertebrata, I 

 hope the final part will not be long delayed. 



W. T. BLANFORD. 



August 1st, 1895. 



