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Teyler’s Stichting
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H A A R L EM
P R I N T E D Bl ' TAYLOR AND F RANC I S
RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET,
P K E F ACE .
T he fifth and last volume of the * Iiand-list of the Genera and
Species of Birds ’ was almost the last publication of the late
Dr. Bichard Bovvdler Sharpe, whose death occurred on Christmas
Day, 1909, about three months after its appearance. I t is
fortunate that Dr. Sharpe was able to see the completion of
the ‘ Hand-list,’ which, it is believed, has proved of material
service to Ornithologists; and there is some satisfaction in
remembering that he did not leave in an unfinished state a
work which formed a fitting termination to a long period of
distinguished service.
I t may not be without interest to state that Dr, Bowdler
Sharpe assumed the charge of the Ornithological Collection in
1872, as the successor of George Robert Gray. According to
an estimate which he himself put in writing, some nine months
before his death, the collection of Birds in the Museum then
consisted.of about 30,000 specimens ; while at the time he wrote
he believed it to consist of about 500,000 skins and eggs. I t is
mainly owing to his unwearied efforts that so large a proportion
of the species mentioned in this Index are available for study in
the Museum.