vi PREFACE. 
continental authors, in consequence either of my never having met with specimens of the 
birds ; or because I am doubtful as to the propriety of their being separated from other known 
species™. 
In my arrangement of the species I have followed with some very slight modifications the 
views of Mr. Vigors, which are now so generally adopted in this country. In the subdivision 
of the genera | have perhaps gone further than most other ornithologists, but at the same time 
I feel convinced that these subdivisions are naturally indicated ; that they tend to facilitate the 
studies of the naturalist; and that some of the groups might have been still further divided with 
propriety. In a few instances the characters of some of the minor sub-genera have been inad- 
vertently omitted; but this omission will not be found of any material consequence. ‘The 
generic characters accompanying Totanus hypoleucus should be cancelled, as they have been 
previously given with Totanus fuscus. Iam also aware that some other trifling errors have 
occurred, but I trust they will be looked upon with leniency when it is taken into consideration 
that the work has been commenced and completed in the short space of five years amidst 
numerous other avocations. 
It would argue a want of gratitude in me were I to omit acknowledging the facilities 
which the Council of the Zoological Society have afforded me in this undertaking, and their 
kindness in permitting me to dedicate the work to them. I also conceive that I am considerably 
indebted for the success of my publication to the more general diffusion of a taste for natural 
history, towards which that admirable Society has so largely and successfully contributed, and to 
which in a great measure must be attributed the favourable reception which works of Natural 
History now so universally meet with; and I am also deeply indebted to the Council for the 
liberality with which I have at all times been allowed to avail myself of the treasures contained 
in the Society's Museum. ‘To the national establishment, the British Museum, I am similarly 
* Viz.—Corvus leucopheus, a variety of Corvus corax. 
spermologus, a variety of Corvus monedula ? 
Alauda Dupontii (Certhilauda bifasciata ?). 
Kollyii. 
Emberiza provincialis. 
Fringilla incerta. 
borealis. 
Hemipodius lunatus, synonymous with Hem. tachydromus ; and 
Larus capistratus. 
