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finest possessions of the British Crown, and from its natural productions being as remarkable
for the anomalous nature of their forms, as for their beauty, and the singularity of their habits,
In the attempt to supply this desideratum I commenced publishing from the materials then
accessible, but soon found, from the paucity of information extant upon the subject, that
it could not be executed in a manner that would be satisfactory to my own mind or com-
mensurate with the exigencies of science ; I therefore determined to proceed to Australia and
personally investigate (so far as a stay of two years would allow) the habits and manners of
its birds in a state of nature. Accordingly in May 1838 I left England, provided, by the
liberality of Government, with letters from Lord Glenelg, at that time Secretary of State for
the Colonies, Sir George Grey, Bart., and Gordon Gairdner, Esq., of the Colonial Office,
recommending me to the countenance and protection of the various Governors, and requesting
them to aflord me such aid and assistance in furtherance of my objects as they might have it in
their power to render; similar favours were also granted me by the authorities of the Admiralty,
who, through their Secretary, Sir John Barrow, directed the captains and commanders of Her
Majesty’s ships and vessels employed on the coasts of Australia to further my views, by giving
myself and my assistant a passage to such part of the coasts as either of us might be desirous of
visiting, only stipulating that the ships under their command should not be detained on any parts
of the coasts they were not ordered to visit. His late Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, in his
capacity of President of the Royal Society, was pleased to favour me with a letter addressed to
the authorities, civil and military, of Her Majesty’s Colonies, recommending me to their kind
offices and protection, as he felt assured that my exertions would materially promote the
Interests of Natural History. I was also under considerable obligations to the kindness of
Captain Washington, R.N., at that time Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society, who
furnished me with introductions to Captains Sir John Franklin and Sir Gordon Bremer, R.N.,
and other influential persons. Having thus acknowledged the facilities afforded me by the
home authorities, it becomes my pleasing duty to state that their recommendations and wishes
were responded to in the warmest manner by Captain Sir John Franklin, R.N., Governor of
Van Diemen’s Land; Sir George Gipps, Governor-General of New South Wales; Lieut.-
Colonel Gawler, Governor of South Australia; John Hutt, Esq., Governor of Western
Australia ; and Captain M‘Arthur, Commandant of Port Essington; all of whom rendered me
every assistance compatible with the instructions under which they were acting. I should be
wanting, however, both in courtesy and gratitude, did I not especially acknowledge the warm

friendship, and the many acts of genuine kindness which I received at the hands of my valued