Preface 
Vll 
his eight water-colour drawings, and though the birds depicted are not shown 
in their most brilliant colours, the drawings themselves are as powerful as 
any work yet executed by that distinguished artist. The three-colour blocks 
are the work of Messrs. Andre & Sleigh, of Bushey, and they have taken 
more than usual pains in their production. 
In conclusion, I should add that I am very much opposed to the super- 
abundance of genera into which the surface-feeding ducks have been divided 
by naturalists. In the case of the diving ducks the families of Fuligula, 
Clangula, Somateria, and CEdemia are all well marked and distinct, but not 
so in the surface-feeding ducks. It is really impossible to separate Mareca, 
Dafila, from the genus Anas, whilst it is equally absurd to differentiate the 
Gadwalls {Chaulelasmus) because of their pectinated mouth bristles. All the 
surface-feeders are ornamented in this manner more or less, the Shovelers in 
particular, and yet they are not included in that particular genus. It seems 
to me that one family, Anas, should embrace them all. 
To gather together the materials for this volume and present as best I 
can the teachings of my experience has been a real labour of love to me, and 
my only regret is that the work cannot be produced at a less cost than the 
price at which it is issued to the public. Should my venture meet with 
success, I may be tempted to complete the series that I have long had in 
mind. In any case, my work may, I hope, be accepted as a modest con- 
tribution to the interesting science of ornithology. 
J. G. MILLAIS. 
CoMPTON's Brow, 
Horsham. 
