x PREFACE | 
Zealand birds he is able to help the ornithologist in 
his classification, by supplying him with correct 
personal observations. Systematic ornithology is the 
science of naming and classifying birds, but correct 
identification is the essential basis of accuracy in 
any branch of bird-study. If the identifications are 
authentic a bare list of birds seen in any particular 
locality is of the greatest scientific value. If they 
are not trustworthy the most minute and pains- 
taking observations, the most abstruse  ecolo- 
gical studies are worthless. To anyone who 
has commenced to become interested in_ birds, 
identification is the first want. The name of a bird 
to a beginner, nay, to any student, is the golden key 
which alone can unlock for his use all which has 
been recorded of that bird. It is the sole means by 
which further particulars can be added to the. store 
. of the past. To fulfil this want for all interested 
in the birds of New Zealand is the purpose of this 
book; it is the means of introduction to the birds. 
My thanks are due to Miss B. A. Carter and Mr. 
Sidgwick for permission to incorporate so much of 
the ‘‘Ready Guide to British Birds,’’ also to all 
sood friends who have helped with material, etce., 
especially Messrs Johannes Andersen, Falla, Philpott, 
Gibbs. Bruce, Olliver, Ledger, Miss Penny, and 
finally Mr. J. G. Myers, without whose ies 
help and encouragement this book would not have 
seen the light. 
For the greater proportion of the descriptions of 
songs and notes I am indebted to Mr. J. C. Andersen. 
Most of the measurements and plumage descriptions 
are from Buller; but these have been confirmed 
where possible. All available works on New Zealand 
birds, including the writings of Buller, Hutton, 
Drummond, Potts and Guthrie-Smith, have been 
drawn upon for biological material. For Australian 
birds, Lucas and Le Souef’s have been consulted. In 
nomenclature, Mathews and Iredale. 
PERRINE MONCRIEFF. 
