PREFACE. 
Tue present volume, which brings the Catalogue of Birds’ Eggs 
to a conclusion, has been retarded in its preparation by more than 
one cause. The principal reason for the delay in its appearance 
has been the large amount of additional work which was thrown 
on Mr. W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, the author, by the death of Dr. R. 
Bowdler Sharpe at the end of 1909. The administration of the 
Bird Room, the incorporation of large collections and the re- 
arrangement of the material already in hand, the planning of new 
Expeditions and the conduct of the voluminous correspondence 
involved by these fresh departures, added to the duty of dealing 
with the ceaseless stream of enquirers who visit or- write to 
the Bird Room, might in themselves have been sufficient to have 
filled up all the available time. Mr, Ogilvie-Grant has done 
his work under considerable difficulties, and the delay has been 
unavoidable. 
SIDNEY F. HARMER, 
Keeper of Zoology. 
British Museum (Natural History), 
London, 
September 13, 1912. 
