PREFACE xl 
drawn from his unique knowledge of the birds of 
Connewarre and the Forest. 
I have been told that I should have covered a wider 
field than the district of Geelong, and so appealed to 
a larger public. Well, while I believe that there 
will be found in this book something of interest for 
every Australian, especially for every Victorian, I 
think it is better to write of what I know best, and 
to describe my book accordingly. Every county in 
England has its local bird-books, done by local men ; 
such a thing has not hitherto been attempted for any 
Australian district of corresponding size, but I feel 
that is all the more reason why someone should lead 
the way. 
C. F. B. 
Gray's Inn, London. 
March i\th, 191 4. 
