176 Mr. ViGORs's and Dr. Horsfi eld's Description of the 



with their distinguishing peculiarities, which we conceive will 

 prove of interest to the Society. We are indebted for much of this 

 valuable information to Mr. Caley, who collected the greater part 

 of the New Holland birds belonging to the Society; and who 

 kindly allowed us to make use of his original notes on these 

 birds, written during his residence in the colony. We have also 

 to express a similar acknowledgement to Mr. Brown, who, in his 

 general zeal for science, did not neglect the interests of zoology 

 while devoting himself to the advancement of his favourite 

 study. 'Vo his liberality the Society is indebted for many of 

 its choicest treasures ; and the kindness with which he has 

 communicated his information respecting them enhances their 

 value. 



Still we have to regret that we are but imperfectly acquainted 

 with a considerable number of the more important forms in the 

 collection, either as to their manners or their internal anatomy; 

 and that many of our observations on them must necessarily be 

 founded on conjecture. Great imperfection may consequently 

 be expected in our details. A favourable prospect, however, 

 opens to us of having our deficiencies supplied on many of 

 these points ; but a prospect, which we scarcely know whether 

 we should most rejoice in or lament. The removal of the late 

 Secretary of this Society to an important official situation in the 

 country whose ornithology we are about to investigate, encou- 

 rages us to hope for much valuable assistance to our labours ; 

 while at the same time we cannot avoid regretting his temporary 

 absence from a Society, which is bound to him by every tie of 

 respect and gratitude. But the evils attendant on separation 

 will be softened down on both sides by the continued intercourse 

 which science thus fortunately holds out between us ; and we 

 shall be the less estranged, in being still participators in his 

 eminent zeal for our common pursuit. We hope we do not 



travel 



