PREFACE. 



' The Ibis ' was establislied in the autumn of 1858, by a 

 small Society of gentlemen interested in the progress of 

 Ornithology, with the view of supplying a want then 

 seriously felt in this country — a means of communica- 

 tion among the many Naturalists who chiefly confined 

 their attention to this interesting study, and an organ 

 whereby they might more readily bring before the pub- 

 lic the results of their labours, discoveries, and observa- 

 tions in different parts of the world. 



Under the able Editorship of Mr. P. L. Sclater, Six 

 annual Volumes, forming the First Series of * The Ibis,' 

 have appeared. These, it may be said, without fear of 

 contradiction, contain an amount of information on every 

 branch of Ornithology such as has never before been 

 brought together in one single work, while at the same 

 time they form a very complete record of the advance- 

 ment of the Science during the last six years. 



Thanks to the activity of those who have kindly aided 

 the present Editor, he trusts that the volume now 

 completed — the Eirst of the New Series — may be com- 

 pared not disadvantageously with any of its predecessors. 

 But in order that ' The Ibis ' should reach that point of 

 usefulness which its promoters think it might attain. 



