INTRODUCTION. V 



common and rarer local names, with references to the numbers under 

 which the birds are described, although, to save mere repetition, these 

 names may not again be mentioned. In the next chapter is the 

 systematic list, so that with the first part of the book, and the plates, a 

 bird whose name is known can be at once identified. The plates 

 contain a figure in colour of a male in full plumage of every species in 

 the three lists, and in a few instances the female is also given. In the 

 fourth chapter the families are sorted out so as to leave the Passerine 

 birds for special treatment ; and in the fifth the key to this sorting is 

 given in the table to which the specimen it is desired to name should 

 be referred. The sixth and seventh chapters are on a similar 

 principle : in the one the Passerines are sorted out, and examples 

 given of identification, and in the other the key to this arrangement 

 is given in tabular form. In the eighth chapter the families are 

 grouped into the orders, old and new, although the orders are not 

 necessary in our plan of identification.- In the ninth chapter the 

 families are arranged alphabetically, and with this index the specimen 

 should be compared to confirm the diagnosis obtained from the 

 previous keys. When the family is known, reference should be made 

 to the next chapter in which is the analysis into genera ; and when 

 the genus is known, the index of species should be consulted in which 

 the genera are in turn analysed, and brief notes given as to plumage, 

 flight, song, and nest. In the twelfth chapter the dimensions of each 

 bird are worked out so as to help in its identification by measurement; 

 and in the last chapter is a tabular arrangement for the identification 

 of the eggs. In short, we have endeavoured to get at the bird's iden- 

 tification in many ways, and have relied on combination for success. 



\V. J. G. 



