PREFACH.

 

my own efforts will be amply repaid. Although the work comprises every species known to
inhabit Australia up to the present time, it is not to be supposed that it contains the whole of
the birds of that vast country, of which so large a portion is yet a ¢erra incognita. Every new
district towards the north-west that may be explored will doubtless afford additional species,

and which may hereafter form the materials for a supplement.

 

I originally intended to include the Birds of New Zealand in the present work, but upon
further investigation of the subject I found that they belong to a distinct Fauna, which fact,
coupled with the vast accession of new species from the continent of Australia, induced me to
omit all but those that had been published in the first instance, and one or two others

remarkable for their great interest.

Enjoying, by the blessing of Providence, constant good health, and energies as yet
unimpaired, I propose still to devote my humble efforts to the advancement of Ornithology,
that science which treats of one of the most pleasing portions of the Almighty’s many wonderful
works; and with ample materials at my command for illustrating the Birds of another magni-
ficent portion of the domains of the British Crown—India—iny next work will probably be on
“the Birds of Asia,” which will, irrespective of all other considerations, be of no little interest

as forming the connecting link between the Birds of Europe and the Birds of Australia.

JOHN GOURD

June 12, 1848.