XIV PREFACE. 



knowledge have been placed unreservedly at my 

 service. To Mr. Gould, Mr. Alfred Newton, and 

 Dr. Sclater, names high in the ranks of ornitholo- 

 gical science, I desire to express my best obligations. 

 Dr. Leith Adams, of H. M. 22nd. Regiment, and 

 Mr. Wright, of Malta, have also been most kind in 

 furnishing me with valuable information and en- 

 couragement; and I should indeed be ungrateful 

 were I to forget the "Old Bushman," Mr. 

 Wheelwright, of Gardsjo, Sweden, whose graphic 

 "Lap Notes" are still fresh in our minds, who has 

 been most liberal in his supply of specimens, and 

 not sparing in kindly words and friendly en- 

 couragement. 



On the continent I have also had many friends, 

 from whom I have derived most valuable assistance. 

 Foremost amongst these stands the late much- 

 lamented Professor Moquin-Tandon, Messrs. Ver- 

 reaux, of Paris, and M. Dubois, of Brussels, whom 

 I have to thank for many skins, eggs, drawings, 

 and much valuable information. To M. le Senateur 

 E. De Selys-Longchamps, of Liege, my thanks are 

 especially due for several long letters, full of 

 valuable information, and written with that tone 

 and feeling which so strongly mark the gentleman 

 and the scholar. Lastly, I express my obligations 

 to Professor Schlegel, of Ley den, and to Professor 

 Blasius, of Brunswick. 



One word here to my readers. We have been 

 good friends for the last five years; and I have 



