principally founded on the ‘ Catalogue of Fossil Birds ’ written by
Mr. E. Lydekker, F.E.S., and published by the Trustees in 1891. The
proofs of the present volume have been submitted to Professor Milne-
Edwards, the leading authority on the subject, and also to Dr. Shufeldt,
who has done much work on the fossil forms of bird-life in America.
I am, however, especially indebted to my colleague, Mr. C. W. Andrews,
of the Geological Department, who has kindly looked over all the
proofs; I am under great obligations to him for useful hints and
corrections. All extinct forms are printed in antique type, and the
la tter has also been adopted for recent species now known to be
extinct, such as Camptolcemus labradorius (p. 225).
I cannot too warmly express my thanks to the undermentioned
ornithologists, who have revised the proof-sheets of this work, and given
to it the importance of an international publication. M any of them
have freely given me their original notes, have saved me from many
slips, and have greatly enhanced the value of the work. I can only
assure them of my gratitude for their unselfishness, and nothing in my
life has pleased me more than to receive the co-operation of so many of
the leading ornithologists of the day, as has been the case in the present
instance.
Proofs have been submit! ed to and corrected by the following
ornithologists:—
England.—Hon. Walter Eothschild, M.P., Mr. Ernst Hartert,
Dr. P. L. Sclater, Mr. W. E. Ogilvie Grant, Mr. W. P.
Pvcraft, Mr. Howard Saunders, Mr. E. W. Oates.
France.—Professor Milne-Edwards, Dr. E. Oustalet.
Holland.—Dr. Otto Finsch.
Germany.—Professor A. Eeichenow, Dr. A. B. Meyer, Count
von Berlepsch.
Russia.—Dr. Bianchi.
Ita ly .—Count Salvador!.
America.—Prof. Elliott Coues, Prof. Eobert Eidgway, Dr. L.
Stejneger, Prof. J . 4 Allen, Mr. Frank M. Chapman, Mr.
C. W. Eichmond.
To all these gentlemen I tender my sincere thanks for their loyal
friendship and assistance. In most cases I have followed their suggestions,
especially in the groups with which I have not an intimate personal
acquaintance. My views on certain aspects of nomenclature are so well
known that slight differences must exist between some of us on a few
minor points, and on these there will always be a variation in individual
opinion. In the main I have adhered strictly to the nomenclature of
the ‘ Catalogue of Birds,’ and in a few cases only have I ventured to
disagree with the conclusions of the writers.
July 6,1899.
E . BOWDLEE SHAEPE.