The second requisite is a handy descriptive list of the birds that are likely to be seen. This has been written in simple language, so that the schoolboy and non-expert can use it. Thus, our aims are two:-- 1. To show that Australian birds are of interest. 2. To supply, in a convenient form, a list of the birds which are likely to be seen, and the marks by means of which they may be identified. This little book contains illustrations and descriptions of-- 100% of the birds found in Victoria. 92.5% .. .. .. .. .. .. .. South Australia. 87.3% .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Tasmania. 82.5% .. .. .. .. .. .. .. New South Wales. 78.16%.. .. .. .. .. .. .. W. Australia (S. and C.). 78.15%.. .. .. .. .. .. .. Queensland. The balance of those found in each of the other States is made up mainly of birds closely related to those of which illustrations are given, or of very rare birds restricted to a small area. The families of the birds of the world have been included, so that the observer can see where the bird he is observing is placed amongst the world's birds. He will also be enabled to place near its Australian relatives birds he reads about. The Australian birds only are grouped in orders. Mr. H. Wilson, Nature-study Lecturer, Training College, superintended the painting of the birds, and saw the book through the press. _A Hand-List of Birds_: Dr. Sharpe; and _A Hand-List of the Birds of Australasia_: Gregory M. Mathews, have been followed for classification and distribution. But for the interest of the Minister of Education, the Hon. A. A. Billson, and the Director, Mr. F. Tate, M.A., I.S.O., this little book would not have been possible. Further, Mr. Billson suggested the colored illustrations, while Mr. Tate has written the introduction, read the proof-sheets and assisted at all stages. PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. In response to requests from beginners, a table has been added on page 190. This table shows the page on which a bird of a certain size may be found. Pending the completion by the Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union of its official _Check-list of the Birds of Australia_, the scientific names have been left as in the first edition. NOTES. Where one number is placed over another at the left side of the page, the lower number denotes the number of species of that genus found in the world; the upper denotes the number of species found in Australia and Tasmania. The number at the right side of the page is the length of the bird in inches (from the tip of bill to the tip of tail). The families of birds known are numbered consecutively, thus, F. 11, F. 12, and so on. The number after a family name denotes the number of species recorded from Australia and Tasmania. The distribution of the species of each family amongst the six zoogeographical regions is shown thus: