PREFACE 



TT is customary at the close of a Preface to make some 

 ■^ acknowledgment of the services rendered by others 

 in the preparation of a volume ; but in my case this ajd 

 has been so generous, so abundant, and so helpful, that 

 I must reverse the order of things and begin by saying 

 that my heartiest thanks are due to the many who have 

 assisted me in a work which for many years has been 

 my dream. 



Without the very material aid, both by pen and advice, 

 of Dr. Elliott Coues, these pages would have lost more than 

 I care to contemplate. All the zoological notes are his, 

 and many of the geographical, besides suggestions too 

 numerous to mention ; moreover, all this assistance was 

 most liberally given at a time when he personally was 

 more than busy ; and yet my wishes and convenience have 

 always been consulted. 



Next to the memory of my father, Mr. Ruthven Deane 

 has been the motive power which has caused these vol- 

 umes to be written. For many years he has urged me to 

 attempt it, and has supplied me with some valuable mate- 

 rial, especially regarding Henderson. During the months 

 that I have been working on much that I have felt incom- 

 petent to deal with, his encouragement has helped me 

 over many a difficulty. 



