vi iNTKODrCTiorr. 



not survive long, tiough it has to be admitted that, at the present time, 

 the system is very popular, while my views are considered to be old- 

 fashioned. 



It may also be here stated that the inclusion of a species in the 

 ' Hand-list ' does not necessarily imply that I personally vouch for its 

 distinctness. I have not had the time to enquire into the claims 

 of every species there mentioned. My efforts have been directed to 

 enumerating the names of all such as have been described since the 

 publication of the \ Catalogue of Birds,' so as to bring the subject up 

 to date ; and in this respect I trust that some useful work has been 

 accomplished. 



If the present ' Hand-list ' has any pretension to completeness, this 

 will be in a great measure due to the co-operation of the many friends 

 who have allowed me to send them proofs as it proceeded, and the work 

 has, therefore, somewhat of an international character. 



I beg to return my sincere thanks to the following gentlemen, who 

 have rendered me their help and advice. 



Great Britain. — Dr. P. L. Sclater; the Hon. Walter Eothschild, 



D,Sc., M.P. ; Dr. Ernst Hartert; Mr. W. E. Ogilvie-Grant; 



Dr. C. W. Andrews, P.R.S. ; Mr. W. P. Pycraft ; Mr. Charles 



Chubb ; Me. G. M. Mathews. 

 Germany. — Prof. Dr. Eeichenow ; Count von Berlepsch; Dr. Carl 



Hellmayr ; Dr. A. B. Meyer ; Dr. Otto Pinsch ; Pastor 



Kleinschmidt. 

 Russia. — Dr. Bianchi. 

 Italy .—Oownt Salvador!. 

 America. — Mr. Eobert Eidgway ; Dr. L. Stejneger ; Prof. J. 



A. Allen; Mr. C. W. Eichmond; Mr. Harry Oberbolser ; 



Mr. Witmer Stone ; Mr. P. M. Chapman ; and Mr. Outram 



Bangs. 

 Australia. — Mr. A. J. North; Mr. A. G. Campbell. 



