BOOK NOTICES 63 



rightly), to the law of priority as regards the names of genera and 

 species. These methods and changes will, we are well aware, meet 

 with strong disapproval in some quarters. There is, however, no 

 necessity for adopting them on the part of those who do not care 

 to do so. 



In the writer's opinion it is impossible to over-estimate the 

 value and importance of Mr. Hartert's work, and especially so since 

 it affords information that has long been a decided desideratum in 

 ornithological literature. The book is to be completed in eight 

 parts of 1 1 2 pages, and the price is four shillings per part. 



PARRAKEETS. A Handbook to the Imported Species. By 

 David Seth-Smith, M.B.O.U., F.Z.S. With twenty coloured Plates 

 and other Illustrations. London: R. H. Porter, 1903. Price 

 403. net. 



This handsome volume is written in the interests of the avi- 

 culturist ; but it also contains matter of interest relating to the 

 natural history of the smaller species of Parrots, of which no less 

 than one hundred and thirty are treated of. 



The author's aim has been to make the book a complete 

 monograph of all the species kept in confinement, and to furnish 

 concerning them full and reliable information on their management, 

 treatment, etc. an object which he has most successfully accomplished, 

 and the book is to be regarded as our chief authority on the subject. 

 In addition to the avicultural side of Parrakeet life, much interesting 

 information is afforded on the habits of the various species in a wild 

 state, their nesting, distribution, etc. ; along with descriptions of 

 and critical remarks on their plumages. 



Not the least attractive feature of the book are the coloured 

 portraits of thirty species, most of them of great beauty. These 

 plates are really most excellent, and we are not using a mere figure 

 of speech when we state that they leave nothing to be desired. 



TURNER ON BIRDS : A SHORT AND SUCCINCT HISTORY OF THE 



PRINCIPAL BIRDS NOTICED BY PLINY AND ARISTOTLE. First 



published by Doctor William Turner, 1544. Edited with Intro- 

 duction, Translation, Notes, and Appendix. By A. H. Evans, 

 M.A. Cambridge: University Press, 1903. Price6s.net. 



Turner's book was published in the year 1544 at Cologne, where 

 its author was then residing in order to avoid persecution on account 

 of his religious beliefs. 



He appears to have been a remarkable man in many respects, 

 and his knowledge of birds was not by any means the least of his 

 varied accomplishments. Thus his "History of Birds," a com- 

 mentary on the species mentioned by Aristotle and Pliny and " all 

 the best writers," is a work of peculiar value and interest, and 

 especially so on account of Turner's original notes on many of the 



