RETROSPECTIVE NOTE. 
i 
THANKFUL as I am at being able to complete this work, my 
feeling is rather of regret than satisfaction, for, owing to the 
length of time which has elapsed since the first part of it 
appeared, so few of Mr. Wo.iEy’s personal friends are left to 
see its conclusion, and this Catalogue is largely a record of 
ancient friendships. My only consolation is that the protracted 
delay has not been my own fault, as I can honestly say that 
whenever the cessation of more important duties gave me 
opportunity I resumed my labour of love, but again and again 
months—not to say, years—passed without such opportunity 
recurring. J*urthermore, I may repeat, as I pointed out in 
the ‘ Introduction’ (Vol. I. p. ui), that the delay has not been 
without its advantages, by enabling me to make considerable 
additions to the Collection of great value and interest—many 
of them specimens wholly unattainable in Mr. Wo.tey’s life- 
time and for long after his death. Some of these I obtained in 
time to include them in their proper place in the body of the 
work ; others will be found in the ‘Supplement,’ but in referring 
to them I am bound to call attention to the fact that the 
acquisition of most of these rarities is due to the good offices of 
Mr. Dresser, whose energy as an egg-collector is still as great 
as when nearly half a century ago he, then little more than 
a boy in years, took with his own hands a Waxwing’s nest. 
y a I oD 
