INTRODUCTION. 



This will enable our young people to associate promptly 

 various parts in the life-history of each bird. In addition, 

 sixty plates are reproduced, slightly more than half of 

 which are from John Gould's " Birds of Australia," and, 

 unless stated to the contrary, the remaining subjects are 

 provided by the author's camera. The woodcuts are from 

 cabinet specimens. Those who desire to know more of 

 the closely allied forms than is here mentioned could 

 consult with advantage the " Catalogue of the Birds in the 

 British Museum," Gould's work, or the " Key to the Birds 

 of Australia and Tasmania." I have quoted freely from 

 papers contributed by myself to science associations, more 

 especially to the proceedings of the Field Naturalists' Club 

 of Victoria ; and I am pleased to express, because of kindly 

 interest shown, my indebtedness to Charles A. Topp, Esq., 

 M.A., LL.B., a late president of the association named. 

 As no work dealing with the useful birds of our colony has 

 been previously issued, I trust this one will prove of service 

 to the fruit-grower, the agriculturist, and the naturalist. 



R. H. 



