PREFACE 
I have been led to compile this Guide to New 
Zealand Birds by knowledge of the difficulty which 
the majority of people experience in endeavouring 
to name a strange bird. 
When an inquirer is suddenly faced with the 
question ‘‘What bird is that?’’ and resorts to the 
average bird book, he is puzzled first of all by not 
knowing under which order of birds to look for the 
particular one he wishes to identify, and secondly 
by the great number of similar descriptions that 
appear to apply equally well to the object of his 
inquiry. To rely on the illustrations only is apt to 
be misleading, as often birds are similar in shape 
and colour and differ widely in size. Further, many 
birds change their plumage according to the seasons, 
and young birds often differ from adults of the same 
species. 
These difficulties have convinced me that there is 
need for a handy practical guide to New Zealand 
Birds somewhat similar to Miss B. A. Carter’s ‘‘Ready 
Guide to British Birds,’’ a book which has proved 
a veritable friend in need to persons studying birds 
in Great Britain. 
The present book is therefore modelled on the lines 
of Miss Carter’s book, and the information respect- 
ing British birds found in New Zealand, together 
with the notes on classification and the guide to the 
use of the tables are taken from her work. 
This book is not a complete list of New Zealand 
birds. I have included all those likely to be seen, 
together with those breeding in New Zealand. 
Because of their similarity I have eliminated the 
numerous island shags which differ only slightly 
