In Britain we are proud of our reputation as a bird-conscious people.

Foreword.

The following pages present a comprehensive survey of the world's birds to show them as they are, a natural living entity.

Author's preface.

The late Glover Morrill Allen, who guided my first serious work in ornithology, liked to point out that the study of birds is auspicious, and has been since Roman times.

Introduction.

The visitor to New Zealand who sees kiwis wild in their native haunts today is fortunate.

Kiwis.