iv PREFACE. 
that by Herr Meves, “On the Change of Plumage in Birds,” 
translated by Mr. Dresser (p. 81), is most suggestive, and 
is rendered all the more instructive by the two coloured plates 
of feathers (magnified) which accompany it. ‘The interesting 
account furnished, by the Brothers Sintenis, of the breeding of 
the Pelican in the Danube Delta supplies a blank in the history 
of a species about whose nesting habits very little was known. 
Nor should the remarkable discovery by Dr. Dodel-Port of the 
fertilisation of sea-weeds by Animalcule be overlooked, seeing 
that his illustrated article forms the first record of the par- 
ticipation of animals in the fertilisation of cryptogams, and 
furnishes an interesting parallel to the relations existing between 
insects and phanerogams. 
But while mindful of these and other valuable communi- 
cations received during the year, the Editor has nevertheless to 
observe with regret that ‘The Zoologist’ is not receiving, either 
from contributors or subscribers, that support which, without 
presumption, may be said to be due to a journal of such long 
standing. He has therefore earnestly to request all who feel 
interested in the study which it is the object of this journal to 
promote, to assist its circulation not only by recommending it 
to their acquaintance, but to aid his efforts by contributing 
articles to its pages. This request is made with the greater con- 
fidence because ‘The Zoologist’ is carried on by the proprietor, 
Mr. Newman, not as a source of profit, but in the interest of 
science, and at a loss to himself; and the Editor feels assured 
that he has only to make this appeal in order to receive from the 
many readers of ‘ The Zoologist’ their hearty co-operation in the 
way which he has suggested. 
On his part he promises to do all in his power to make it an 
efficient representative of zoological science, and especially of 
that part of the science which is advanced by out-door work— 
the observation in the field of the habits of animals. In this 
department he trusts that ‘The Zoologist’ may never fall away 
from the position it has taken since its first establishment in 
1848 ; for were such to be the case it would indicate a declining 
interest in the most fascinating branch of Natural History. 
J. EK. Hs 
