Introduction. xi 



inhabiting New Guinea belong to a comparatively small 

 number of families, but that each of these is represented by 

 a large number of different species, especially iti such groups 

 as the Honey-eaters, Flycatchers, Parrots, and Pigeons. 



Amongst the Pigeons, of which no fewer than twenty- 

 eight ditferent kinds were obtained, it would seem as though, 

 in some instances at least. Nature had almost come to the 

 end of her resources in devising new and wonderful arrangt-- 

 ments of colour and markings ; for in some of the smaller 

 Fruit-Pigeons, such as Ptilonopus gestroi and P. perlatns 

 zonurus, we find two perfectly distinct forms, occurring side 

 by side, possessing almost exactly the same remarkable scheme 

 of coloration, and only differing in certain minor points to be 

 found in the markings of the wing-coverts. Another very 

 similar instance is to be seen in Ptilonopus coronidatus and 

 P. nanus, almost the same colours and pattern being repeated 

 in both. 



The collections formed by the B. 0. U. and Wollaston Ex- 

 peditions are extremely valuable and have added many new 

 and interesting forms of bird-life to the incomparable series 

 in the British Museum, to which the specimens have been 

 presented by the subscribers. 



The eight plates, drawn by Mr. H. Gronvold and printed 

 by the Menpes Printing and Engraving Company, are good 

 portraits of the species represented, though in some instances 

 it has been found impossible to attain the brilliance of the 

 plumage of the actual specimens. 



The two maps illustrating this report have been specially 

 compiled by Mr. H. F. Milne, draughtsman to the Royal 

 Geographical Society, from the latest available information. 

 The first is a map of New Guinea as a whole, and contains 

 all the places referred to in the present work, besides most 

 others of importance. Such a map has never hitherto been 

 prepared and should supply an important want. 



The second map shows, on a much larger scale, the area 

 specially dealt with in this work. This extends from Etna 

 Bay in the west to Merauke in the east, and is bounded on 

 the north by the Snow Mountains. 



