Page:The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma (Birds Vol 2).djvu/7



appearance of the second volume of 'Birds' with fewer pages than are contained in other volumes belonging to the ’Fauna of British India' requires a brief explanation.

When the 'Birds' were undertaken by Mr. Oates in 1888, he knew that it would not be possible to complete them within the two years of furlough to which he was entitled, but it was hoped both by him and by myself that he would obtain additional leave of absence. This has not proved to be the case, and within the time available Mr. Oates has only found it practicable to finish the Passerine Order, comprising about five ninths of all the species of birds found in India. As will easily be understood by those who have been engaged in similar scientific work, constant application has been necessary in order to accomplish this within the period mentioned.

The first volume of the 'Birds' having appeared in December of last year, there was, when Mr. Oates left England in August last, considerably less than another volume ready in manuscript. To have waited for a full volume to be prepared would have entailed considerable delay, and, under the circumstances, it has been thought best to publish at once a second volume of less bulk at a reduced price, and to leave the remaining birds to be