XIV 
PREFACE. 
Professor Flower was so good as to read over my chapters on 
extinct animals, and to point out several errors into which I had 
fallen. 
Dr. Gunther gave me much valuable information on the 
classification of reptiles, marking on my lists the best established 
and most natural genera, and referring me to reliable sources of 
information. 
I am also greatly indebted to the following gentlemen for 
detailed information on special subjects : — 
To Sir Victor Brooke, for a MS. arrangement of the genera 
of Bovidae, with the details of their distribution : 
To Mr. Dresser, for lists of the characteristic birds of Northern 
and Arctic Europe : 
To Dr. Hooker, for information on the colours and odours of 
New Zealand plants : 
To Mr. Kirby, for a list of the butterflies of Chili : 
To Professor Mivart, for a classification of the Batrachia, and 
an early proof of his article on “ Apes M in the Encyclopedia 
Britannica : 
To Mr. Salvin, for correcting my list of the birds of the 
Galapagos, and for other assistance : 
To Mr. Sharpe, for MS. lists of the birds of Madagascar 
and the Cape Verd Islands: 
To Canon Tristram, for a detailed arrangement of the difficult 
family of the warblers, — Sylviidae : 
To Viscount Walden, for notes on the systematic arrangement 
of the Pycnonotidffi and Timaliidse, and for an early proof of 
his list of the birds of the Philippine Islands. 
I also have to thank many naturalists, both in this coun- 
try and abroad, who have sent me copies of their papers; 
and I trust they will continue to favour me in the same 
maimer. 
