X PREFACE. 



are figures, as he may thereby the more easily comprehend the shape 

 and colours of the object in question, than by mere description. 



It is intended to join one coloured copper-plate, at least, to 

 each genus, of some bird, Avhich, in many instances, has not been 

 before figured, with the intent of pointing out to the eye of the less 

 informed naturalist, wherein one genus differs firom another. 



From the numerous species of the Falcon tribe, the present 

 volume can only admit the four following genera, viz. — Vulture, 

 Secretary, Falcon, and Owl, to which an adequate number of plates 

 are appropriated ; perhaps fewer in proportion than will be found in 

 the subsequent volumes, but this could not be avoided, without 

 making the volumes too unequal in respect to each other. 



Among the many friends to whom I consider myself under 

 obligations, during the progress of this work. Sir Joseph Banks, 

 Bart, stands eminently foremost, having assisted me, from the 

 beginning of our acquaintance, with the examination of all his 

 Ornithological specimens, collected by him in his Voyage to the 

 South Seas, as well as by the inspection of his numerous collection 

 of drawings, to the time of his lamented death, added to the free 

 loan of every book from his valuable library, that could be useful in 

 the undertaking. 



I am happy to mention my long acquaintance and reciprocal 

 friendship with the late Thomas Pennant, Esq. whose merit, as a 

 British Zoologist, stands unrivalled, and I flatter myself I shall 

 continue to find in his son what I experienced in his father. 



To Lieutenant-General Davies, of the Royal Artiller}^, I am 

 greatly indebted ; from whose faithful pencil I have been furnished 

 with very many exact representations of new subjects, taken from 



