﻿INTRODUCTION. 



I owe the suggestion of the present Monograph to Mr. W. J. Williams, of the Zoological 

 Society, who, in the year 1865, proposed that we should write together a synopsis of 

 the known species of Kingfishers. Owing, however, to increased calls upon his time, 

 Mr. Williams was forced to abandon the project, and the work was dropped for some time. 

 In 1866 I again resumed the task by myself, and have since steadily persevered with the 

 work until I have been at length enabled to bring it to a satisfactory conclusion. I take 

 this opportunity of returning my grateful thanks for their kindness to the many friends 

 who have contributed to the success of the undertaking, and without whose assistance it 

 would have been impossible to finish the book. In this country my thanks are due 

 especially to Lord Walden, Lord Lilford, Dr. P. L. Sclater, Professor Newton, and Messrs. 

 John Gould, Osbert Salvin, G. Dawson Rowley, H. E. Dresser, G. R. Gray, and especially 

 to Mr. A. R. Wallace, who placed at my disposal his beautiful collection of Kingfishers. 

 In France, M. Jules Verreaux has done all he could to assist me, and render my book as 

 perfect as possible. To Germany my thanks are due in the persons of Dr. Peters, of Berlin, 

 who sent me over some rare specimens to figure, and of Drs. Hartlaub and Finsch, of Bremen, 

 who have always displayed the greatest willingness to help me with all their power. In 

 Italy, Count Salvadori, of Turin, has given me much valuable aid ; and I am indebted to him 

 for the loan of several unique birds. Nor must I forget Count Turati, of Milan, who has 

 from time to time sent me from his magnificent collection specimens necessary for the work. 

 In Vienna another kind friend, Herr A. von Pelzeln, has lent me some rarities from the 

 Imperial Cabinet. Lastly, I have to record my obligations to Professor Schlegel, who not 

 only did his utmost to assist me during my visit to Leiden, but allowed me to bring to 

 England all the specimens which I considered indispensable to the satisfactory completion 

 of my book. Neither shall I forget the kindness I received during the same visit from his 

 compatriots, Dr. G. F. Westerman and Mr. Hegt, of Amsterdam, where the Museum 

 contains a very good series of Kingfishers. 



It would be invidious to say any thing about the way in which my artist, Mr. Keulemans. 

 has performed the task allotted to him. The attention which he has bestowed upon the 

 work merits my highest approbation ; and I only regret that in some instances the effect of 

 his beautiful drawings has been marred by the incapacity of the colourists. The depart- 

 ment of printing and colouring the plates has been intrusted to Mr. P. W. M. Trap ; and 



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