PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. 
r I he study of Ornithology has always been a source of intense enjoyment to me; and to write a 
history of the Birds of my native country was one of the day-dreams of my early boyhood. In 
matuiei years my intervals of leisure, during an active official life in the colony, have been chiefly 
devoted to the collection of materials for such an undertaking ; and the result is now presented to 
the public in a form which will, I trust, be acceptable to both the scientific and the general reader. 
With what amount of success I have executed my self-imposed task it is not for me to decide, 
am conscious, however, of having bestowed much honest labour upon it ; and the highly favourable 
manner in which it has been reviewed, as well as the numerous letters of commendation and 
appioval which I have received from persons in every way competent to form a judgment, give me 
leason to believe that my efforts have not been misdirected. 
As a proof that I have spared myself no trouble to make the work complete I may mention 
that, without a single exception, the descriptions of the species have been taken from specimens 
actually before me, and that every measurement given throughout the book has been made or 
'en tied by myself. The life -hi stories are, for the most part, records of my own observations during 
a number of years; and I have endeavoured to make them as truthful as possible. It will be seen, 
lowever, that I have not failed to avail myself of the notes of other local naturalists, whose 
ntributions are, in every instance, duly acknowledged. 
I take this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to the Colonial Government for having 
b anted me a piolonged leave of absence, on the most liberal terms, for the purpose of visiting 
England to superintend the publication of my work. To the authorities of the British Museum my 
an vs ai e due for the facilities which have been afforded me of studying the contents of perhaps 
he finest collection of Birds in the world, and to the gentlemen having charge of that department 
their unvaiying courtesy and attention — even my application to be allowed to remove the rare 
otornis fiom its hermetically closed case, for the purpose of examination, having been readily 
complied with. 
In working out the historical synonymy of the species I have found the Library of the 
