INTEODUCTION 



The Birds dealt with in this work do not claim to represent 

 absolutely every species occurring in Tierra del Fuego ; but they 

 are, I believe, the most comprehensive collection yet made in the 

 island, and include many recorded from there for the first time. 



Such as it is, this collection is the work of my own hands. 

 Alone as I was, an amateur, these results were not attained 

 otherwise than slowly and laboriously, indeed wearily enough 

 at times ; for although the greatest consideration was shown 

 me by the white settlers, conditions of life in this region 

 are hardly conducive to work of the kind. Fellow travellers, 

 then, who have practical experience of what Bird-collecting 

 means in the earth's bye-ways — where so many pursuits claim 

 their share of attention, and there is always one's life to live 

 from day to day — will understand something of the effort 

 involved. 



As to this book, it is of the nature of a work of the kind that, 

 no matter how assiduously or how long one may apply oneself, 

 there abides with the conscientious author the knowledge at 

 heart that the result is not as satisfactory as he could wish. 

 Such is my feeling. The further I have progressed the more have 

 I come to realize the immensity of the subject, to say nothing of 

 collateral questions arising by the way. Its scope, in fact, is 

 well nigh infinite. All I claim for this effort in the direction 

 of comprehending it is that I have done my best. 



In working at my Birds in the British Museum of Natural 

 History, all facilities of access to the collection there have been 

 accorded me by Dr. R. B. Sharpe and his staff. 



To the Zoological Society and to the Royal Geographical 



Society I am indebted for unstinted use of their valuable 



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