Vili INTRODUCTION. 
thank Mrs. Smeed and the members of her family, who 
have shown me the most generous hospitality, giving me 
full permission to ransack the gardens and grounds and 
help in so doing; to Mr. W. Drake and his cousin Mr. 
Salter for similar kindnesses and for collecting and 
sending me not a few nests after my return to town; to my 
sister-in-law Miss Alicia Tonge for the practical aid and 
encouragement which she has rendered from the com- 
mencement of my work; to Dr. John Grayling, whose 
companionship I have enjoyed in some of my country 
rambles, and who has obtained for me several eggs of.our 
larger birds. Many friends have also allowed me to search 
their gardens, plantations, farms and woods, with true 
English open-heartedness ; although I have not space here 
to thank them all individually, I am none the less grateful. 
I cannot close this introduction without thanking one of 
my London friends, Mr. Oliver Janson, who has at all 
times been ready to help me, has obtained me many a good 
nest and, in a word, has shown as much interest in my 
work as my very excellent publisher. 
The species are figured upon the plates nearly in the 
same order as that adopted by Hewitson in his ‘ Ilustra- 
tions,’ but a few alterations have had to be introduced in 
the letterpress in order to bring species of a family together 
in accordance with the views of modern scientists. A 
more correct classification is introduced, for guidance in 
arranging the species in the cabinet. 
A. G. BUTLER. 
