viii. PEEFACE 



for the loan of the blocks which form the subjects of Plates 

 LIV. and LVII. ; and to my Publisher for the large num- 

 ber of text-figures that he has kindly inserted, most of 

 which are not only artistically good, but being drawn to 

 scale have considerable scientific value. 



Through the kindness of the Editors of the ' Irish 

 Naturalist/ the use of the blocks of the bones of the Great 

 Auk, drawn by Mr. M. Knowles, has been acquired. 



I desire to thank Professor Newton, Mr. Howard 

 Saunders, and Mr. Eagle Clarke, for many valuable sugges- 

 tions and criticisms ; Mr. E. Leonard Gill, Mr. Oxley 

 Grabham, Mr. Howarth, Mr. F. K. Eowley, and Dr. Scharff, 

 for the generous and ready assistance which they have 

 afforded me in the examination of museum-specimens ; 

 Professor Mackintosh for kindly permitting me to examine 

 and photograph that valuable and interesting specimen 

 the Great Auk in the Museum of Zoology, Trinity College, 

 Dublin ; Mr. Fleming, of Toronto, for allowing me the 

 privilege of examining, from his fine American collection, 

 many interesting examples of allied species and representa- 

 tive forms inhabiting the New World. 



To many correspondents, especially to Mr. E. M. Bar- 

 rington, Mr. J. L. Bonhote, Mr. F. Coburn, Mr. J. H. 

 Gurney, Mr. E. E. Leeper, Mr. W. Milne, Eev. Julian Tuck, 

 Mr. F. H. Walker, Mr. E. Warren, Mr. A. Williams, and 

 Mr. W. J. Williams, my best thanks are due. 



To Mr. E. J. Ussher, of co. Waterford, who devoted 

 much time and exceptional care to the revision of the 

 manuscript, and to my wife, who has read every proof- 

 sheet with the utmost care, I feel unable to express my 

 gratitude adequately. 



* * * * 



I close these Prefatory remarks with a tribute to the 

 memory of Edward Williams, by whose kindly help, this 

 volume has largely benefited. 



Many of its pages bear testimony of how valuable and 

 extended were his contributions, while the cordial welcome 

 always received, even during his busiest hours at his work- 

 rooms in Dame Street, Dublin, and the information and 

 assistance so willingly given, will ever be remembered by 

 those who had the privilege of his friendship. 



UNIVERSITY, SHEFFIELD. C ' J ' PATTEN - 



September, 1906. 



