PREFACE. 
The present work lias been written in tlie leisure afforded by a leave o£ 
absence from Burmali of two years^ duration. Time being limited and 
the subject inexhaustible^ I found it necessary to lay before myself a very 
modest programme^ one that I felt could safely be carried out within two 
years. I found that a very brief history of each bird, such as I have 
given, was the most that could be done with accuracy ; and I have been 
reluctantly compelled to avoid all lengthened notices of habits, anecdotes, 
and other matters which constitute pleasant reading. 
My task has been rendered easy by the kind assistance I have received 
from friends in England. My most sincere thanks are due to Messrs. 
Dresser, Hargitt, and Seebohm for placing at my disposal the whole of 
their beautiful collections of birds ; to Captain Wardlaw Ramsay for the 
opportunity of examining the specimens procured by him in Karennee ; 
and to Mr. Bowdler Sharpe for constant and unremitting acts of kindness 
in his capacity as Curator of the Bird Collections in the British 
Museum, to which noble collection free access was always afforded me 
by Dr. Giinther, the Keeper of the Zoological Department. My work 
in the library of the Zoological Society of London was much facilitated 
by the courtesy of Dr. Sclater, the Secretary to the Society; and I 
acknowledge with thanks the assistance I have received at all times from 
Mr. F. Waterhouse, the Librarian to the Society. The two volumes of 
the 'Handbook^ have been passed through the press very rapidly ; and my 
thanks are due to Messrs. Taylor and Francis for the speed and accuracy 
with which they have done the printing. 
