PREFACE. 
The present Descriptive Catalogue of the Nests and Eggs of 
Australian Birds, lias been prepared by Mr. A. J. North, who 
has been engaged by the Trustees as an Assistant in the Zoological 
Department of the Museum. It contains a careful description of 
such authentic eggs of each species as have been accessible to the 
author, wherever there was any doubt as to the authenticity 
of the eggs of any species they have been discarded, typical 
specimens have always been selected, supplemented with descrip¬ 
tions of such other distinct varieties as occasionally occur. No 
egg is here described of which the history is unknown, with the 
exception of a few taken from Gould’s “ Handbook to the Birds 
of Australia.” 
Ed. P. RAMSAY, 
Curator. 
