PREFACE. 
the members of the Horn Expedition. The full results of this important 
incursion by Captain White will not be completely known until the 
Passerine birds are worked at in a monographic manner, as above noted, 
so that it is important that a full meed of the recognition due to Captain 
White for this arduous journey should be meted at this, the first oppor- 
tunity. The difficulties attendant to such an incursion as this last one 
cannot be easily measured, as Captain White’s expedition was not a large 
one, but simply an ornithological reconnaissance made in face of really 
difficult circumstances. The merest glance at the map will show the 
distance travelled, while readers of the Horn Expedition Reports will 
understand the wild and not easily travelled nature of the country 
traversed. Though it is not in the power of every Australian ornithologist 
to emulate Captain White’s efforts, I would emphasise the necessity of 
each worker thoroughly investigating the field that lies at his door. 
Another instance that can be cited in tins direction is that of Mr. 
F. L. Berney, whose articles, contributed to the Emu on his own station 
bird-fife, are full of the most valuable observations ; and it will be at 
once noted that in this volume many of the best accounts of the birds 
treated come from his pen. The Victorian ornithologists are always 
making good reports, but I find scant records from New South Wales. 
Dr. W. MacgiUivray has already been noted as the fortunate ornithologist 
to make the Pascoe River historical in Australian avifaunal records, and 
I have also to acknowledge the gift from him of a fine collection made in 
the Normanton district, thereby providing material from the type-localities 
of Castelnau and Ramsay’s species as well as some of Diggles’s forms. 
All the friends whose co-operation I have been delighted to acknow- 
ledge in the prefaces to the two previous volumes have continued their 
aid, and some new ones, such as Dr. C. E. Thorpe and M^. Herbert 
E. Purnell, need mention for their donations of rare specimens. In the 
forefront of my old friends, in addition to Captain White and Dr. 
Macgillivray, Messrs. Tom Carter, H. L. White, Charles Belcher, and A. H. 
Mattingley must once more be recognised on account of the importance 
of their contributions. 
G. M. M. 
ERRATUM. 
The first paragraph on, page 347 has been transposed, and does not refer to the species 
under which it is placed: it should be deleted. 
xvn. 
