In order to show at a glance the scheme I have adopted for the systematic arrangement of the existing Avifauna of New Zealand, I shall give here a Synopsis of the classification, with the superficial characters of each genus as at present defined.

As the characters of the genera are given in their entirety, I have thought it unnecessary to overload this section by adding the characters of the Orders and Families, which may be obtained from any text-book^*.

I do not underrate the importance of the internal organs for determining generic distinctions. “But” (as Dr. Günther says, in his Preface to vol. vii. of the British Museum Catalogue of Birds) “it seems to me that investigations in the latter direction must lead to more numerous subdivisions than Ornithologists are inclined to admit at present.”

Of every endemic group, except the Owls (which do not differ widely from the genus Carine), I have given a woodeut in illustration of one or more of the characters.