INTRODUCTION ix 



reading, and correcting manuscript and in proof reading. 



No one is so well aware of the many shortcomings and omissions 

 in this work as the author. Allowance must be made for the magni- 

 tude of the undertaking. If the reader fails to find mentioned in 

 these pages some things which he knows about the birds, he can 

 blame himself for not having sent them to 



THE AUTHOR. 



