214 Bibliographical Notices, 



be likely to attain by their own perusal of the original ; since it re- 

 quires considerable familiarity with the German language to be able 

 to render with accuracy the nicer shades of meaning which are often 

 adopted from colloquialisms into scientific language. We would 

 strongly urge upon our scientific friends therefore to encourage the 

 continued translation of these valuable reports by aiding in the sale 

 of the part before us. We feel confident that they will progress- 

 ively increase in interest as the science advances towards perfec- 

 tion, and will afford a valuable and interesting record of its progress. 

 To those who desire to be au courant with the present state of know- 

 ledge an acquaintance with them is indispensable. 



A List of the Genera of Birds, with an indication of the Typical Species 

 of each Genus. By George Robert Gray, Ornithological Assist- 

 ant Zool. Departm. British Museum, &c., &c. 8vo. London, 

 1840. 



This work, as its title indicates, contains a complete enumeration 

 of the genera of birds, disposed according to a system " based on the 

 arrangements of M. Cuvier and Mr. Vigors, with such improvements 

 as in the author's view of the subject could be gleaned from those 

 of Mr. Swainson and others." The number of genera enumerated, 

 not including those names which are regarded as merely synonymous, 

 amounts to 1065 ; but Mr. G. Gray avows his opinion that his List 

 " contains some genera established upon characters too trivial to 

 admit of their being definitively adopted." He states it indeed to 

 have been his object, in the present publication, rather to give " a 

 correct view of all the genera that have been proposed" than 

 ** closely to criticize the value of the subdivisions employed." We 

 trust, however, that the latter more important task will be undertaken 

 by him in a more extended work, in which the preface gives us rea- 

 son to believe that he has long been engaged, viz. a " Genera of 

 Birds," accompanied with their characters. 



In the mean time the work before us may be regarded as a useful 

 outline of the present state of Systematic Ornithology, comprehend- 

 ing a much more complete enumeration of genera than any that has 

 preceded it ; evincing great care in determining the priority of names, 

 and showing due respect for that universal law (so recklessly in- 

 fringed by many ornithologists) which scrupulously assigns the pre- 

 ference to prior publication. Under each genus are added the syno- 

 nyms, or those names which have been employed to designate spe- 

 cies of the group ; one species is cited as an example, a figure being 

 referred to whenever it exists ; and occasional rectifications of syno- 



