PREFACE. 



The object of the present Catalogue is to give a complete list of the 

 species of Birds recorded to have been found in Great Britain and 

 Ireland ; and, in regard to the specimens now in the British 

 Museum, to point out their peculiarities as regards age, sex, habitat, 

 and the source from whence they have been obtained. These parti- 

 culars are stated after the specific name and its synonyma, while the 

 localities of those species not at present contained in the Collection 

 are also recorded. 



Of the specimens which have been presented to the Museum the 

 name of the Donor is given ; and of those which have been pur- 

 chased, the Collection from which specimens may have been ob- 

 tained is also stated, as imparting authenticity to their history. The 

 skeletons and breast-bones, &c., which are contained in the Col- 

 lection are also noted under the species to which they severally 

 belong. In regard to generic and specific names, those have been 

 adopted, when possible, which were first proposed. Due care has 

 been taken to discover, and great attention in consulting, the ori- 

 ginal authority, in order to recognize the type to which the most 



