INTBODUCTION. 



THE principal object of the present Catalogue has been 

 to give a complete list of the specimens of Birds con- 

 tained in the collection of the British Museum, indicating 

 at the same time the peculiarities of each, as regards 

 age, sex, condition, variations in plumage, habitation, and 

 the source from whence it has been derived. 



With this view the different individuals of each spe- 

 cies contained in the collection are indicated by the let- 

 ters a, b, c, &c., following the name of the species, and 

 its synonyma. 



When the age of the specimen is not stated, it is to 

 be understood that it is supposed to be full grown, or 

 nearly so ; when otherwise s its state is marked ; and if 

 there is any difference by which the sexes are readily 

 distinguishable, or if the point be absolutely ascertained, 

 the specimen is stated to be male or female. 



These particulars are followed by the habitat, which 

 is given as particularly as the materials possessed by the 

 Museum permit ; but as many specimens have been pro- 

 cured from dealers, it is often impossible to give the 

 place from whence they are derived, except in the most 

 general terms. 



Those specimens which have been presented to the Mu- 

 seum have the name of the donor marked immediately after 



A 2 



603919 



