4 
united efforts of myself and those who have so kindly aided my views, 
to upwards of 600 species, among which are comprised many forms re- 
markable for their noveltv, the anomalous character of their structure, 
and the singularity of their habits, such as the Bower Birds ( Ptilono - 
rhynchi and Chlamyderce) and the Mound-raising Birds ( Talegalla, 
Leipoa and Megapodius ). The singular runs or bowers of the Chla- 
myderce w T ere considered by some explorers to be the cradles of the 
infants of the aborigines, and the mounds of the Megapodius to be 
tumuli, errors which have been rectified in the present work. 
It is not to be supposed that an undertaking of such magnitude as the 
present could have been brought to a successful termination by the un- 
aided efforts of a single individual, and I have, therefore, very great plea- 
sure in stating that my views were most ably seconded by every one with 
whom the nature of my investigations brought me in contact; but by 
noise more than by the Rev. Thomas James Ewing, who, besides mani- 
festing the warmest friendship, has ever taken especial interest in pro- 
moting the success of the present work ; nor must I omit to mention 
R. C. Gunn, Esq., Lieut. Breton, R.N., the Hon. Henry Elliot, Aide de- 
camp to the Governor, Lieut. Friend, R.N., and Captain Booth, all 
of Van Diemen’s Land. In New South Wales my best thanks are due 
to George Bennett, Esq., who, like Mr. Ewing, favoured me with his 
warmest friendship, and evinced an equal anxiety for the success of my 
undertaking ; the Messrs. James and William M ( Arthur, of Camden ; 
the Messrs. Stephen and Charles Coxen, of Yarrundi ; Charles Throsby, 
Esq., of Bong-bong ; Alexander and William S. MacLeay, Esqs. ; Cap- 
tain P. P. King, and many others. Much valuable information has 
been communicated to me by George Grey, Esq. (now Governor of 
New Zealand), whose exertions during his expedition along the north- 
western coasts of Australia were characterized by a degree of energy 
of character and perseverance but rarely equalled; whose ornithological 
collection made during this arduous enterprise, although small, was 
by no means destitute of interest; and who, upon succeeding Colonel 
Gawler in the Governorship of South Australia, found time amidst 
his multifarious occupations to devote considerable attention to Natural 
History, and to send me some interesting drawings and other details 
respecting the mounds raised by the Leipoa , &c. In South Australia 
I received many acts of kind attention and assistance from my friend 
Captain Sturt, whom I accompanied on one of his expeditions into the 
interior ; and I have much pleasure in acknowledging my obligations 
to Mr. Eyre, now Lieut.- Governor of New Zealand, and the late J. B. 
Harvey, Esq. 
Nor must I conclude my acknowledgements of the kindness of those 
who have rendered me their aid, without especially recording the libe- 
rality of the Right Hon. The Earl of Derby, who has at all times most 
readily submitted to my inspection every collection of which he has 
become the possessor, and allowed me the free use of any objects 
desirable for the enhancement of the “ Birds of Australia;” neither is 
the kindness of His Highness the Prince of Canino, Sir Wm. Jardine, 
Bart., Professor Owen, Robert Brown, H. E. Strickland, W. Yarrell, T. C. 
Eyton, J. J. Bennett, D. W. Mitchell, and E. Blyth, Esqs., forgotten by 
one whom they have ever been sedulous to oblige. My thanks are also 
