PREFACE TO THIED EDITION. 



Owing to the insertion of additional matter, the tabular form of previous 

 editions has been abandoned, and the Notes are now given in paragraphs. 



The system of reference, however, is intended to be the same. The 

 Index (p. 151) shows the Order to which a bird belongs, and the Indices 

 of the Orders (pp. 2-3, 36-37, 98-99) are divided into Families, with 

 references to the pages on which the different species are detailed. 



The illustrations were originally drawn from the specimens when shot, 

 or when received from friends. Many of these were afterwards beautifully 

 executed in pen and ink by Mr. W. W. Turner, of Simla. 



The numbers, names, and descriptions, as given in Jerdon, have been 

 adhered to as far as possible. The additions have principally been taken 

 from The Game Birds of India, Messrs. Hume and Marshall (H. & M.), 

 and Stray Feathers (S.F.). 



The Introduction has been copied from the descriptive exhibits at the 

 Natural History Museum, where I have received every assistance. 



The derivations of names have been chiefly taken from A List of 

 British Birds compiled hy a Committee of the British Ornithologists' Union. 



A. LE MESSUEIER. 

 Ealing, August, 1887. 



PEEFACE TO SECOND EDITION. 



It was intended that an edition for the public should have been illus- 

 trated; but now that an expedition is starting for Central Asia, the 

 Notes which were privately circulated in 1874 without the pictures are 

 reprinted. 



Some additions have been made, and the divisions into Families will 

 now be found on pages 1, 9, and 22. 



A. LE MESSUEIER. 



Simla, Octoter, 1878. 



