PREFACE. 



THE present volume, which brings the Catalogue of Birds' Eggs 

 to a conclusion, has been retarded in its preparation by more than 

 one cause. The principal reason for the delay in its appearance 

 has been the large amount of additional work which was thrown 

 on Mr. W. It. Ogilvie-Grant, the author, by the death of Dr. II. 

 Bowdler Sharpe at the end of 1909. The administration of the 

 Bird Room, the incorporation of large collections and the re- 

 arrangement of the material already in hand, the planning of new 

 Expeditions and the conduct of the voluminous correspondence 

 involved by these fresh departures, added to the duty of dealing 

 with the ceaseless stream of enquirers who visit or write to 

 the Bird Eoom, might in themselves have been sufficient to have 

 filled up all the available time. Mr. Ogilvie-Grant has done 

 his work under considerable difficulties, and the delay has been 

 unavoidable. 



British Museum (Natural History), 



London, 

 September 13, 1912. 



SIDNEY F. HARMER, 



Keeper of Zoology. 



4 184 91 



