PREFACE. 
This little volume is intended as a pocket book for field use, 
so that the majiy teachers, nature-students, nature-lovers, 
schoolboys, schoolgirls, and boy scouts, who like to ''see what 
they look at,'' may be able to name the birds they meet. 
The first step towards knowing the birds is a desire to know 
them; this will grow if a person is interested; so our first busi- 
ness, as in all nature-study work, is to arouse interest. Interest 
follows at once, as we have often found, if a person realizes 
that what is about him or her is worthy of study. 
To arouse this necessary interest, a lecture on Australian birds 
is given in such a form that it may be repeated, if desired. 
The second requisite is a handy descriptive list of the birds 
that are likely to be seen. This has been written in simple lan- 
guage, so that the schoolboy and non-expert can use it. 
Thus, our aims are two: — 
1. To show that Australian birds are of interest. 
2. To supply, in a convenient form, a list of the birds which 
are likely to be seen, and the marks by means of which 
they may be identified. 
This little book contains illustrations and descriptions of — 
100 ^ of the birds found in Victoria. 
92.5 % South Australia. 
87.3 i Tasmania. 
82.5 % New South Wales. 
78.16 % W. Australia (S. and C). 
78.15 Queensland. 
The balance of those found in each of the other States is made 
up mainly of birds closely related to those of which illustrations 
are given, or of very rare birds restricted to a small area. 
The families of the birds of the world have been included, so 
that the observer can see where the bird he is observing is 
placed amongst the world's birds. He will also be enabled to 
place near its Australian relatives birds he reads about. The 
Australian birds only are grouped in orders. 
Mr. H. Wilson, Nature-study Lecturer, Training College, super- 
intended the painting of the birds, and saw the book through the 
press. 
A Hand-List of Birds: Dr. Sharpe; and A Hand-List of the 
Birds of Australasia: Gregory M. Mathews, have been followed 
for classification and distribution. 
But for the interest of the Minister of Education, the Hon. A. 
A. Billson, and the Director, Mr. F. Tate, M.A., I.S.O., this little 
book would not have been possible. Further, Mr. Billson sug- 
gested the colored illustrations, while Mr. Tate has written the 
introduction, read the proof-sheets and assisted at all stages. 
(7) 
