PREFACE. 
I T is pleasing to record that the completion of my second volume has seen 
the abatement of the criticism at first directed against the nomenclature, 
and more attention has been given to the facts displayed. 
This volume has dealt with the Petrels and Gull-like birds, and I have 
endeavoured to introduce all matter that will enable the Australian ornith- 
ologist to deal with his own birds, so that he can feel he is not working at such 
a disadvantage as previously. It is admitted that the Catalogue of the Birds 
in the British Museum has been the one recent book of reference to the Anti- 
podean worker : I hope that this work will take its place as regards Australian 
birds, and to that end I have devoted much time and space to the elucidation 
of the systematic side of the Austral Ornis, and anticipate co-operation from 
my Australian friends in working out their life-histories. 
It is gratifying to record that this anticipation seems in a fair way of 
fulfilment, as those friends whom I indicated, in the Preface to the first 
volume, as having helped me, have continued their efforts. In this connexion 
I would specially tender my most sincere thanks to Captain S. A. White, who 
has made special excursions, costing much time and expense : he has con- 
tributed valuable notes and specimens which will be made full use of and 
acknowledged throughout the continuation of my work, as the birds presented 
are worked out. 
Messrs. Frank Howe, Charles Belcher, Bernard H. Woodward, 
J. W. Mellor, F. E. Wilson, Hugh Riordan, Tom Carter, Dr. W. Mcgillivray 
and Miss Fletcher all again require special mention, while amongst new friends 
should be noted Messrs. R. A. Dyott and C. F. Cole. \ 
Professor R. Collett of Norway, I have to signally thank for his great 
kindness in forwarding me the large, hitherto unworked, collection made by 
Dahl in the Northern Territory, and for the gift of many specimens. 
In connexion with the birds dealt with in this volume, I owe a deep 
debt of gratitude to the Hon. Walter Rothschild, who placed his invaluable 
collection of birds of the Order Procellariiformes at my service. 
XIII 
