continental authors, in consequence either of my never having met with specimens of the
birds; or because I am doubtful as to the propriety of their being separated from other known
species*.
In my arrangement of the species I have followed with some very slight modifications the
views of Mr. Vigors, which are now so generally adopted in this country. In the subdivision
of the genera 1 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 sub-genera have been inadvertently
omitted; but this omission will not be found of any material consequence. The
generic characters accompanying Tolanus hypoleucw should be cancelled, as they have been
previously given with Totanmfmcus. 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 contained
in the Society’s Museum. To the national establishment, the British Museum, I am similarly
* Viz.—Corvus leucophieus, a variety of Corvus corax.
spermologus, a variety of Corvus monedula ?
Alauda Dupontii (Certhilauda bifasciata?).
TTjp— ' Kollyii.
Emberiza provincialis.
FringiUa incerta.
—1 1 ~ ’ borealis.
Hemipodius lunatus, synonymous with Hem. tachydromus; and
Larus capistratus.
PREFACE. vii
indebted, and would here beg to express my thanks to its officers for the many attentions I
have received from them. From most of the public Museums of the Continent I have
received much assistance. To M. Temminck, Director of the Royal Museum at Leyden, so
well known for his valuable works on Natural History, I beg to offer my most grateful
acknowledgments for the assistance he has afforded me, without which my work would necessarily
have been long delayed, and in fact could never have been brought to that complete state
in which I am happy to say it now stands: so great indeed has been the liberality of this
eminent naturalist, that he has even confided new species to my care, and allowed me to figure
and describe them in my work before including them in his own; and his liberality will, I
doubt not, be duly appreciated by the scientific public. . In Professor Lichtenstein of Berlin
I have met with another kind and liberal friend, to whom I am indebted for the use of several
of the rarer European Birds, among which were some of the original specimens collected
by the celebrated Pallas. To M. Schreib'ers and MM. Natterer of Vienna I am also under
great obligations, as well as to the gentlemen! connected with the. collections of Paris; and
Erankfort, who readily afforded me every assistance I required. To the collection of the
Baron Feldegg of Frankfort I have had free access, and to this gentleman I am indebted for the
use of many rarities, and of some species entirely new to science. To William Yarrell, Esq.,
I shall ever feel deeply grateful, for the judicious and kind assistance which he has at all times
rendered me, and for the use of many valuable specimens from his excellent collection. My
ever lamented friend, E. T. Bennett, Esq., was at all times much interested in my publications;
I am therefore proud to add my grateful testimony to his varied talents and kind and amiable
conduct upon every occasion; and of the numerous individuals honoured by his friendship
there is none who more sincerely deplores his untimely decease than myself. To the Earl of
Derby, the Honourable W. T. T. Fiennes, Sir William Jardine, Bart., N. A. Vigors, Esq., W.
H. Rudston Read, Esq., T. B. L. Baker, Esq., J. J. Audubon, Esq., Captain S. E. Cook, A.
Waterhouse, Esq., of Liverpool, Dr. De Jersey, E. H. Reynard, Esq., and to several other
gentlemen my thanks are likewise due, for the warm interest which they have at all times
taken in the present work. Neither must the valuable assistance afforded me by Mr. Martin
of the Zoological Society be forgotten. In conclusion I would beg leave to return my grateful
thanks to the whole of the Subscribers for the support with which they have been pleased to
favour me.