PREFACE. 



The present Descriptive Catalogue of the Nests and Eggs of 

 Australian Birds, has been prepared by Mr. A. J. North, who 

 has been engaged by the Trustees as an Assistant in the Zoological 

 Department of the Museum. It contains a careful description of 

 such authentic eggs of each species as have been accessible to the 

 author, wherever there was any doubt as to the authenticity 

 of the eggs of any species they have been discarded, typical 

 specimens have always been selected, supplemented with descrip- 

 tions of such other distinct varieties as occasionally occur. No 

 egg is here described of which the history is unknown, with the 

 exception of a few taken from Gould's " Handbook to the Birds 

 of Australia." 



Ed. p. RAMSAY, 



Curator. 



