J G72 a. 
PREFACE. 
The idea of compiling a complete { Index ’ to the works of Gould was 
suggested to me by the Earl of Wharncliffe. On a certain occasion lie 
was discussing some ornithological question with Lord Walsingham at 
his country seat, and a reference to one of Gould’s plates became 
^ necessary. Some difficulty having been experienced in finding the 
exact volume in which the figure was given, it occurred to both the 
vlabove-named noblemen that such a difficulty would not arise if there 
Jexisted a complete ‘ Index ’ to all the folio works issued by Gould. 
- Lord Wharncliffe having asked me if I would undertake such a hook, 
Vo 
cv?I found that Messrs. Sotheran were equally willing to publish an 
* Index,’ and I therefore set about the task. Without quoting every 
reference to papers published by Gould in various journals, I deemed 
it wise to include at least every work which he had issued separately, 
whether in folio, or 8vo, or 4to form. Thus the present ‘ Index ’ 
contains quotations from the ‘ Synopsis ’ and the ‘ Handbook ’ to the 
‘ Birds of Australia’; while, in order to make the work still more complete, 
the * Mammals of Australia ’ have also been included in the scheme. 
I must confess that when I so cheerfully undertook this ‘ Index ’ I had 
by Gould and to extract the references therefrom. I find, however, 
now that my task is completed, that it has taken me as many years to 
©ffinish as I expected it would have taken months. This is no doubt due 
«* to a wish on my part to do the work as conscientiously as possible, for an 
: ‘Index’ is of no use unless it be very carefully compiled and thoroughly 
checked. With the aid, therefore, of my faithful attendant at the 
842 I 23 
