INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 
V 
1844. The Asiatic Society of Bengal. — Large Collections of preserved 
Birds, received bj several separate dispatches. 
1845. jB. H. Hodgson, JEsq. — A large Collection of Birds from NepaL 
MattJiew Lovell, Esq., Bengal Medical Service. — Several Birds. 
J. Bax, JEsq., tliroiigli Colonel Barnwell. — A Collection of 
Birds. 
1846. Tlie Asiatic Society of Bengal. — Large Collections of Birds, 
received by several separate dispatches. 
1847. The Asiatic Society of Bengal. — A Collection of Birds. 
The Bev. F. W. Hope. — Several Birds. 
1848. B. H. Hodgson, Esq. — Several Birds from Sikim and Dar- 
jeeling. 
1850. Captain Bichard Strachey. — A large Collection of Birds from 
Ladakh and Kumaon. 
1851. The Bombay Government. — Specimens of Birds, received from 
Commander Jones, of the Indian Navy. 
W. E. Wood, Esq., Hon. E.I.C. Medical Service. — A specimen 
of the Adjutant or Gigantic Crane. 
1853. B. H Hodgson, Esq. — A large Collection of Birds from 
Nepal and Tibet. 
John Gould, Esq. — Several specimens of Birds, desiderata to 
the Hon. Company's Museum. 
1854. Captain B. C. Tytler, Bengal Army. — Several Specimens of 
Birds from Dacca. 
Theodore Cantor, M.D. — A large Collection of Birds, from 
Penang and the Indian Archipelago. 
The Systematic arrangement of this Catalogue is founded on 
the plan elaborated with great perspicacity and erudition by 
Nicholas Aylward Vigors, Esq., in an Essay, printed in the 
fourteenth volume of the " Transactions of the Linnean Society,'' 
p. 8.95, &c., entitled " Observations on the Natural Affinities 
that connect the Orders and Families of Birds.'' 
In this Essay the entire Class of Birds is divided into five 
primary subdivisions, namely, Raptores, Insessores, Rasores, Gral- 
latores, and Natatores. That part of the Catalogue novr printed 
comprises only the Kaptores and part of the Insessores ; and an 
Analysis of the whole Class is reserved for the completion of this 
work. In the subdivision of families some modifications have 
