THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
I 
I ornithology may be said to have come into its o-vvn—^the Golden Age of ' 
1 Ornithology. 
# The publication of that wonderful work by 0. Davies Sherbom, The Index 
Animalium, in 1902, and its continuation in 1922, has made the use of homonyms 
an impossibility to the careful worker. 
My aim has been to put on record such a list of the Birds of Australia as | 
will contain att. the information necessary to the future worker, as regards ! 
synonymy and dates of publication ; while the life histories of the birds 
themselves have been contributed by competent field-naturalists. 
I While this much has been done, we must remember that science is never 
final, and there is still a wide field for future workers, to whom I udsh every 
success. ; 
To my numerous correspondents and to the subscribers to my work I bid i 
I a regretful farewell. j 
I GREGORY M. MATHEWS. 
I 
j Foulis Court. 
; February ^th, 1927. ! 
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xii. 
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! V i^TPiiv fcH-'RNl 
