vi 
PREFACE. 
finest possessions of the British Crown, and from its natural productions being as remarkable 
for the anomalous nature of their forms, as for their beauty, and the singularity of their habits, 
In the attempt to supply this desideratum I commenced publishing from the materials then 
accessible, but soon found, from the paucity of information extant upon the subject, that 
it could not be executed in a manner that would be satisfactory to my own mind or com- 
mensurate with the exigencies of science ; I therefore determined to proceed to Australia and 
personally investigate (so far as a stay of two years would allow) the habits and manners of 
its birds in a state of nature. Accordingly in May 1838 I left England, provided, by the 
liberality of Government, with letters from Lord Glenelg, at that time Secretary of State for 
the Colonies, Sir George Grey, Bart., and Gordon Gairdner, Escp, of the Colonial Office, 
recommending me to the countenance and protection of the various Governors, and requesting 
them to afford me such aid and assistance in furtherance of my objects as they might have it in 
their power to render; similar favours were also granted me by the authorities of the Admiralty, 
who, through their Secretary, Sir John Barrow, directed the captains and commanders of Her 
Majesty's ships and vessels employed on the coasts of Austraha to further my views, by giving 
myself and my assistant a passage to such part of the coasts as either of us might be desirous of 
visiting, only stipulating that the ships under their command should not be detained on any parts 
of the coasts the^Mvere not ordered to visit. His late Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, in his 
capacity of President of the Royal Society, was pleased to favour me with a letter addressed to 
the authorities, civil and military, of Her Majesty's Colonies, recommending me to their kind 
offices and protection, as he felt assured that my exertions would materially promote the 
interests of Natural History. I was also under considerable obligations to the kindness of 
Captain Washington, R.N., at that time Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society, who 
furnished me with introductions to Captains Sir John Frank hn and Sir Gordon Bremer, R.N., 
and other influential persons. Having thus acknowledged the facilities affi^rded me by the 
home authorities, it becomes my pleasing duty to state that their recommendations and wishes 
were responded to in the warmest manner by Captain Sir John Franklin, R.N., Governor of 
Van Diemen's Land ; Sir George Gipps, Governor-General of New South Wales ; Lieut.- 
Colonel Gawler, Governor of South Australia; John Hutt, Esq., Governor of W^estern 
Australia ; and Captain M'Arthur, Commandant of Fort Essington ; all of whom rendered me 
every assistance compatible with the instructions under which they were acting. I should be 
wanting, however, both in courtesy and gratitude, did Lnot especially acknowledge the warm 
friendship, and the many acts of genuine kindness which I received at the hands of my valued 
