PREFACE. 
Mr. Campbell concluded : “ However, Australians have an authoritative, 
workable, and consistent 4 check-list ’ of the birds of the Commonwealth.” 
The only one in existence, as noted above, was my own 44 List of the Birds 
of Australia,” published in 1913, but I don’t think this was the one Mr. 
Campbell intended. 
It is a pleasing coincidence to receive, by the same mail that my attention 
was drawn to the preceding, a letter from one of my critical friends and a 
friendly critic, the item 44 Received with many thanks the Birds of Australia, 
Volume VI., Part II. Most interested both in matter and plates.” 
I attach as an Appendix some interesting notes on the Platycercine forms, 
sent me by Mr. Edwin Ashby. Such investigations as these are very valuable 
and, to quote my friend’s words used in connection with another matter, 
4 4 facilitate the gaining of knowledge, in a sense to make the pathway of future 
students more easy than it was before we did work therein.” 
As usual, I have to tender thanks for kindly co-operation : Notes and 
specimens to Captain S. A. White, Tom Carter, Edwin Ashby, T. P. Austin, 
etc., whose names regularly appear as helpers, and without help my work 
could not be as complete as it is. 
I might just remark that the technical matter is the most important to 
Australians, as it can only be prepared at this side, where complete collections 
of specimens and libraries are available. Parochial views are not accepted 
by Australian ornithologists as far as I am aware from my correspondence 
and perusal of the Emu, South Australian Ornithologist , etc. 
GREGORY M. MATHEWS. 
Fottlis Court, 
Fair Oak, Hants. 
23 rd November , 1917. r 
Xlll. 
