EDITOR'S NOTE. 



My task being completed, it is now my pleasant duty to 

 acknowledge the kind assistance I have received in England 

 from many friends ; and I take this opportunity of including 

 in the number those gentlemen who have also assisted 

 me in writing the ' Birds of India/ so far as it is com- 

 pleted. 



It is needless to say that at the Natural History Museum, 

 South Kensington, I received the utmost assistance from 

 Professor Flower and Dr. Giinther, and the latter gentleman 

 placed every facility for work at my disposal. It was a decided 

 improvement to work in the well-appointed room now devoted 

 to Birds in the new Museum instead of the uncomfortable 

 gallery at Bloomsbury where I wrote my ' Birds of Burmah •" 

 in 1883; and I must admit that the way in which the enormous 

 additions to the bird- collection during the past few years 

 have been arranged and made available for study by my friend 

 Mr. Bowdler Sharpe must impress everyone with admiration 

 for his industry and powers of organization. Both from him 

 and his colleague Mr. W. R. Ogilvie Grant I have always 

 received the most friendly help on all occasions. 



