PREFACE. 



Mr. Salvin's continued absence in Guatemala 

 renders it necessary for his substitute to write a few 

 lines as preface to the third volume of the Third 

 Series of 'The Ibis.' 



When the British Ornithologists' Union was in- 

 stituted at Cambridge in 1858, who would have 

 ventured to prophecy that the Society and its Organ 

 would attain such dimensions and such success? 

 Yet our Union now comprehends ninety-four Mem- 

 bers, and our Journal has reached its 15th volume. 

 Nor does there seem any reason why our numbers 

 should diminish or our volumes cease to appear. 

 Though some of our original members have (I regret 

 to say) become rather sparing of their contributions 

 to ' The Ibis,' a new generation of ornithologists is 

 arising who show no symptoms of falling behind 

 their predecessors, either in field-work abroad or in 

 cabinet-work at home. To these, as well as to those 

 of the older generation who have contributed to 

 these pages and otherwise assisted us in our arduous 

 undertaking, our best thanks are hereby offered. 



P. L. SCLATER, 



Acting Editor. 



11 Hanover Square, London, W. 

 February 16th, 1874. 



