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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 commensurate
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 Coloniat Office,
recommending me to the countenance and protection of the various Governors, and requesting
them to afford 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; Lieul.-
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
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friends Sir John and Lady Franklin, who, besides facilitating my views in every way, both
publicly and privately, with the most generous hospitality received myself and family into
their house, where Mrs. Gould and my eldest sòn, who had accompanied us, remained for
nearly ten months, while I pursued my researches in various parts of Van Diemen’s Land and
the continent of Australia ; and it is only by those who, like myself, have had the advantage of
residing in the bosom of this amiable family, that the kindness of their nature and the goodness
of their hearts can he duly appreciated, and which can never be erased from my memory. I
must acknowledge not less gratefully the many acts of kindness rendered to me by Sir George
and Lady Gipps during my stay in Sydney. After exploring Van Diemens Land, the islands
in Bass’s Straits, South Australia, and New South Wales, into the interior of which country I
penetrated to the distance of nearly four hundred miles from the coast-line, I despatched my
able assistant, Mr. Gilbert, to explore the western, and northern portions of the country, and
returned to England in August 1840; 1 immediately commenced the work de novo; and the
•result of my labours is now before the public. It fortunately happened at the commencement
and during the progress of the work, Her Majesty’s ships the Beagle, under the command of
Captains Wickham and Stokes; the Britomart, under Captain Stanley; the I|Ìy, under Captain
Blackwood, and the Pelorus under Captain Chambers were employed in surveying the
northern and north-western coasts of Australia; and the Erebus and Terror under Captain Sir
James C. Ross, in a voyage, of discovery towards the south pole. While engaged in the
performance of their arduous duties, the officers of those vessels succeeded in procuring many
interesting novelties, which, with the greatest liberality, were communicated'to me for thè
present work, whereby its value has been much enhanced. This liberality will be found duly
acknowledged in the histories of the species* for the.use of which I am indebted to the kindness
of B. By noe, Esq., Surgeon R.N., Lieut. Emèry, R.N., Commander J. M. R. Ince, R.N.,
Edward Dring, Esq., Purser R.N., Dr. Robertson and Robert M'Cormick, Esq., Surgeons
R.N., and John M‘Gillivray, Esq.
After spending two years in Wèstern and Northern Australia, Mr. Gilbert returned - to
England in September 1841, bringing with him the result of his labours, which proved of
sufficient value and importance to induce me to believe that much yet remained to be
discovered in those countries, and to direct him to return thither, which he accordingly did in
the ensuing spring; and after again visiting Swan River, and sedulously exploring the interior
so far as practicable, he proceeded to Sydney, and, unfortunately for himself, allowed his lovè