PEEFACE. 



In compiling the fii-st portion of a Catalogue of the 

 Eaptorial Bii'ds in the [Norfolk and Norwich Museum (which 

 I hope may at a future time be followed by the remainder,) 

 I have considered it desbable, in the first place, to give 

 a list of the several species contained in the collection in 

 the order in which they are there arranged (that order 

 being such as has appeared to me to be, on the whole, 

 the most conformable to theu- natui-al affinities.) Secondly, 

 to affix to each species the specific name to which if is 

 by priority entitled, to which I have added one or more 

 subsequent synonyms in order of priority, where I have 

 thought the older La any respect objectionable. Thii-dly, 

 to give a list of the specimens of each species as well 

 as of the localities from which each specimen has been 

 obtained, when known, together with the name of the 

 donor ; or in the case of specimens which " I have myself 

 placed in the Museum (and to which the letter G is 

 affi:s;ed,) the name either of the original collector or of the 

 person from whom such specimens passed into my hands; 

 both these names being given where I have been able to 

 supply them, rourthly, I have stated such particulars as I 

 have been able to ascertain, respecting the geographical distri- 

 bution, food, nidification, and habits of each species, and 

 also as to the colour of the u-ides and of other parts of 



