vill. PREFACE 
for the loan of the blocks which form the subjects of Plates 
LIV. and LVII.; and to my Publisher for the large num- 
ber of text-figures that he has kindly inserted, most of 
which are not only artistically good, but being drawn to 
scale have considerable scientific value. 
Through the kindness of the Editors of the ‘ Irish 
Naturalist,’ the use of the blocks of the bones of the Great 
Auk, drawn by Mr. M. Knowles, has been acquired. 
I desire to thank Professor Newton, Mr. Howard 
Saunders, and Mr. Eagle Clarke, for many valuable sugges- 
tions and criticisms; Mr. E. Leonard Gill, Myr. Oxley 
Grabham, Mr. Howarth, Mr. F. R. Rowley, and Dr. Scharff, 
for the generous and ready assistance which they have 
afforded me in the examination of museum-specimens ; 
Professor Mackintosh for kindly permitting me to examine 
and photograph that valuable and interesting specimen— 
the Great Auk in the Museum of Zoology, Trinity College, 
Dublin; Mr. Fleming, of Toronto, for allowing me the 
privilege of examining, from his fine American collection, 
many interesting examples of allied species and representa- 
tive forms inhabiting the New World. 
To many correspondents, especially to Mr. R. M. Bar- 
rington, Mr. J. L. Bonhote, Mr. F. Coburn, Mr. J. H. 
Gurney, Mr. R. R. Leeper, Mr. W. Milne, Rev. Julian Tuck, 
Mr. F. H. Walker, Mr. R. Warren, Mr. A. Williams, and 
Mr. W. J. Williams, my best thanks are due. 
To Mr. R. J. Ussher, of co. Waterford, who devoted 
much time and exceptional care to the revision of the 
manuscript, and to my wife, who has read every proof- 
sheet with the utmost care, I feel unable to express my 
eratitude adequately. 
“ x * * 
I close these Prefatory remarks witha tribute to the 
memory of Edward Williams, by whose kindly help, this 
volume has largely benefited. 
Many of its pages bear testimony of how valuable and 
extended were his contributions, while the cordial welcome 
always received, even during his busiest hours at his work- 
rooms in Dame Street, Dublin, and the information and 
assistance so willingly given, will ever be remembered by 
those who had the privilege of his friendship. 
C. J. PATTEnN. 
UNIVERSITY, SHEFFIELD. 
September, 1906. 
