v.l ■ 



PREFACE 



Fob the conveuieuce of binding this work we have divided it into two volumes, but it 

 was originally Avritten with the idea of forming a single volume only. The unexpected 

 growth of the material at our disposal and the discovery of new species have caused the 

 work to extend far beyond the limits originally proposed by us, and therefore the 

 division of the volume into two portions may be found more convenient. 



The paging, however, is consecutive, as is also the numbering of the Plates, 

 throughout both of the proposed volumes, as the numbering of the Plates had been 

 settled before the idea of a subdivision of the work occurred to us. 



It remains only to thank the many friends who have interested themselves in our 

 labours, and to assure them that the long delay in the completion of the A'olumes has 

 been caused by the pressure of official work, and also by a desire to make the book as 

 complete a ' Monograph ' as was possible. Thus great attention has been devoted to the 

 migration and geograj)hical distribution of the interesting birds of which the volumes 

 treat, and wc hope that the introduction of the " Tables of Geographical Distriluition,' 

 with the symbols agreed upon by the "Second International Congress "at Budapest, \\\\\ 

 be found in.structive, as well as the illustration, l)y means of coloured maps, of the 

 range of each species. 



To our excellent printers, Messrs. Taylok and Fi;ancis, we o\\e our licai-tiest 

 acknowledgments for the care and attention thev have shown. Tlie colourim;' df ilic 

 Plates has been executed by Miss Bektha Sharpe and Miss Doha SnAia'K, with the 

 occasional help of their sisters Emily and Eva. In the early parts they were assisted 

 by Miss Eloeence Wilson. 



E. BOWDLEll SKAKL'i:. 

 August 3, 1804. CLAUDE AV. A\' VATT. 



