PREFACE.

vl

birds, or because I am doubtful as to the propriety of their being separated from other known

species a

In my arrangement of the species I have followed with some very shght modifications the

views of Mr. Vigors, which are now so eenerally adopted in this country. In the subdivision

of the genera I have perhaps gone further than most other ornithologists, but at the same time
I feel convinced that these subdivisions are naturally indicated ; that they tend to facilitate the
studies of the naturalist; and that some of the groups might have been still further divided with
propriety. In a few instances the characters of some of the minor subgenera have been
inadvertently omitted; but this omission will not be found of any material consequence. The
generic characters accompanying Totanus hypoleucus should be cancelled, as they have been
previously given with Totanus fuscus. I am also aware that some other trifling errors have
occurred, but I trust they will be looked upon with leniency when it is taken into consideration

that the work has been commenced and completed in the short space of five years amidst

numerous other avocations.

It would argue a want of gratitude in me were I to omit acknowledging the facilities which
the Council of the Zoological Society have afforded me in this undertaking, and their kindness
in permitting me to dedicate the work to them. I also conceive that I am considerably
indebted for the success of my publication to the more general diffusion of a taste for natural
history, towards which that admirable Society has so largely and successfully contributed, and
to which in a great measure must be attributed the favourable reception which works of
Natural History now so universally meet with; and I am also deeply indebted to the Council
for the liberality with which I have at all times been allowed to avail myself of the treasures

WOVY € . = w x en 1) r 2 2 . .
contained in the Society’s Museum. To the national establishment, the British Museum

* Thy ata ]
Viz.—Corvus leucophzeus, a variety of Corvus corax.

 

spermologus, a variety of Corvus monedula ?
Alauda Dupontii (Certhilauda bifasciata ?).

Kollyii.

Emberiza provincialis.

 

Fringilla incerta.

borealis.
Hemipodius lunatus, synonymous with Hem. tachydromus; and
Larus capistratus.