PREFACE. 



Early in 1870 the idea of writing a work on European Ornithology was first* 

 projected by Mr. R. B. Sharpe and myself; and before the close of that year we 

 had arranged to undertake the present work in copartnership ; but the first Part 

 was not issued before March 1871. Twelve Parts were published with tolerable 

 regularity, when Mr. Sharpe, who had given up his post as Librarian to the 

 Zoological Society, and had obtained an appointment at the British Museum, 

 found that his new duties would not allow him to continue his share of the 

 work. He was therefore compelled to ask me to release him; and the partnership 

 was consequently dissolved, I undertaking to continue the publication alone. His 

 name, however, was retained on the titlepages of the parts up to Part XVII., 

 although the articles in these Parts were written by myself, except the synonymy 

 for Part XIII., which Mr. Sharpe had prepared before we dissolved partnership. 

 The articles in small type on the Sparrow- Hawks, Emberiza cia and its allies, 

 and on the Blue Rock-Thrushes were written entirely by Mr. Sharpe ; and I am 

 glad to be able to give the sole credit of the same to him. A portion of the 

 synonymy was elaborated by the late Marquis of Tweeddale (then Lord Walden), 

 such portion bearing his signature, with the exception of the synonymy of the 

 species contained in Part XIV., which he most kindly undertook to do, as I was 

 then rather overworked ; besides, from time to time, as the work progressed, I 

 received the greatest assistance from him in hunting up obscure references ; he 

 likewise always allowed me the use of his specimens and books whenever I required 

 them. 



The earlier Parts were published at the Office of the Zoological Society, 

 11 Hanover Square; and I take this opportunity of expressing my deep gratitude 

 vol. i. - a 



