•y'iii PR E FA C E .
of science, in the advancement of which no one was more ardent, to induce him to join
Dr. Lëichardt in his overland journey from Moretoh Bay to Port Essington. On this
expedition, he, as usual, displayed his wonted zeal and activity until the 28th of June, when,
the party being treacherously attacked by the natives, his valuable life was sacrificed, I lost
a most able coadjutor, and • science has to deplore one of her most devoted servants ;
fortunately, however, in despite of the many difficulties and dangers which beset the party
during the remainder of their journey, his journals and notes, together with the specimens he
had been able to procure, were preserved and transmitted to me by Dr, Leichardt, and proved
of valuable assistance in determining the range of many of the species.
My own researches commenced immediately after passing the Equator, from whence,
throughout the entire route to Australia, I omitted no opportunity of studying the habits, and
collecting the different species of the oceanic birds that came under my notice : thèse
observations were again resumed on my return to England ; and as the outward passage
was by the Cape of Good Hope, and the homeward one by Cape Horn, they extended
round the globe, and, as will be seen in the course of the work; have led to' some
important results; And here I must acknowledge my obligations to the various captains
with whom I sailed, namely Captain M°Kellar of the “ Parsee,” which vessel conveyed me
to Van Diemens Land; Captain Harding of the “ Black Joke,” in which I proceeded from
Launceston to Adelaide ; Captain Fell of the “ Catherine Stewart Forbes,” in which I returned
from Adelaide to Hobart Town ; Captain Gilchrist of the “ Potentate,” in which I sailed from
Hobart Town to Sydney; and Lieuténant Mallard; R.N., of the " Kinnear,” which brought me
to England ; all of whom rendered me every assistance in their power; and the use of à boat
and crew whenever the weather would admit of one being lowered, by which means I was
enabled to obtain nearly forty species of Petrel, being the finest collection of the Procellaridoe
ever brought together.
At the commencement of the work it was not expected that it would prove so extensive as
it has become, since not more than about300 species were then known, which number has now
been increased, by the united efforts of myself and those who have so kindly aided my views, to
upwards of 600 species, among which are comprised many forms rèmarkable for their novelty;
the anomalous character of their structure, and thé singularity of their habits; such as the Bower
Birds (Ptilonorhynchi and Chlamyderce) and the Mound-raising Birds ( Talegalla; Leipça and
PR EFAC E.
Megapodittfe The singular runs or bowers of the Chlamyderce were considered by some
explorers to be the cradles of the infants of the.aborigines, and the monnds of the Megapodius
to be tumftli, errors which have been rectified in the present work.
It is not to be supposed that an undertaking of such magnitude as-the present could have
been brought to a successful termination by the unaided efforts of a single individual, and I
have, therefore, very great pleasure in stating, that my views were most ably seconded by every
one with whom the nature of my investigations brought ipe in contact;, but by none more
than by the Rev. Thomas James Ewing, who, besides manifesting the warmest friendship, has
ever taken especial interest in promoting the success, of the present work ; nor must I omit to
mention R. C. Gunn, Esq., Lieut. Breton, R.N., the Hon. Henry Elliot, Aide-du-camp to the
Governor, Lieut. Friend, R.N., and Captain Booth, all of Van Diemen's Land. In New South
Wales my best th an k s& e due to George Bennett, Esq., wbgjlike Mr. Ewing, favoured me
with his warmest friendship, and evinced; am equal anxiety for the success of my undertaking ;
the Messrs. James and William M‘ArthuiJ.':of Camden ; the Messrs.' Stephen and Charles
Coxen,'.of Yarrundi; Charles Throsby, Esq., of Bong-bong; Alexander and William S.
MacLeay, Esqsi; iCaptain P. P. King, and many others. Much valuable, information lias
been: communicated ;to. me by George Grey, Esq. (now-Gpyernor of New Zealand), whose
exertions during his expedition along the north-western coasts of Australia were' characterized
by a degree of energy of character and perseverance but rarely equalled ; whose ornithological
collection made during this arduous enterprise, although small, was by no means destitute of
interest; and who, upon, succeeding; Colonel Gawler in the Governorship of South Australia,
found time amidst his multifarious occupations'!» devote considerable' attention to Natural
History, and to send me some interesting drawings and Other details respecting the mounds
raised by the Leipoa, &c. In South Australia I received many'acts of kind attention and
assistance from my friend Captain Sturt, whom I accompanied on one of his expeditions into
the interior; and I have much pleasure in acknowledging my obligations to Mr. Eyre, now
Lieut.-Governor of New Zealand^,and the late J. B. Harvey, Esq.
Nor must I conclude my acknowledgements of the kindness of those who have rendered
me their aid, without especially recording the liberality of the Right Hon. The Earl of Derby,
who has at all times most readily submitted to my inspection every collection of which he has
become, the.possessor, and allowed me the free, use, of any objects desirable for the enhance