PREFACE. 



The study of Ornithology has always been a source of intense enjoyment to me ; and to write a 

 history of the Birds of my native country was one of the day-dreams of my early boyhood. In 

 maturer years my intervals of leisure, during an active official life in the colony, have been 

 chiefly devoted to the collection of materials for such an undertaking ; and the result is now 

 presented to the public in a form which will, I trust, be acceptable to both the scientific and the 

 general reader. 



With what amount of success I have executed my self-imposed task it is not for me to 

 decide. I am conscious, however, of having bestowed much honest labour upon it; and the 

 highly favourable manner in which it has been reviewed, as well as the numerous letters of 

 commendation and approval which I have received from persons in every way competent to form 

 a judgment, give me reason to believe that my efforts have not been misdirected. 



As a proof that I have spared myself no trouble to make the work complete I may mention 

 that, without a single exception, the descriptions of the species have been taken from specimens 

 actually before me, and that every measurement given throughout the book has been made or 

 verified by myself. The life-histories are, for the most part, records of my own observations 

 during a number of years ; and I have endeavoured to make them as truthful as possible. It 

 will be seen, however, that I have not failed to avail myself of the notes of other local 

 naturalists, whose contributions are, in every instance, duly acknowledged. 



I take this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to the Colonial Government for having 

 granted me a prolonged leave of absence, on the most liberal terms, for the purpose of visiting 

 England to superintend the publication of my work. To the authorities of the British Museum 



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