vill PREFACE. 
Perhaps I may be allowed to add, that not only by far the greater number of the Platesof 
this work, but all those of my “ Century of Birds,” of the “ Monograph of the Trogons,” and at 
least three fourths of the “Monograph of the Toucans” have been drawn and lithographed by 
Mrs. Gould, from sketches and designs by myself always taken from nature. The. remainder 
of the drawings have. been made by Mr. Lear, whose abilities. as an artist are so generally 
acknowledged that any comments of my own are unnecessary. — With the opportunities’ still in 
my power I should consider myself to blame were I not to continue in. the course I have 
hitherto pursued in the study and illustration of subjects in ornithology ; and it is my intention, 
so long as permitted, steadily to use my humble efforts to advance this delightful branch. of 
natural science. My thanks are due to Mr. Bayfield, under whose direction the: whole of the 
Plates have been carefully and accurately coloured, and in fact too much praise cannot be 
accorded to the unceasing attention with which he has at all times afforded his assistance. The: 
plates have been printed by Mr. Hullmandel, and the letter-press by Mr. R. Taylor; and.these: 
portions of the work have I trust been satisfactorily executed. 
August 1, 1837. 
JOHN GOULD. 
