474 Bibliographical Notices. 



history, and on ornithology in particular, show that the taste for this 

 study is rapidly increasing in the country. Here we have a splendid 

 4to volume devoted to a single family of birds, and that one cer- 

 tainly not the most attractive in external appearance, though ex- 

 ceedingly interesting for the peculiarities of their anatomy. On 

 this part of the subject the author has bestowed considerable atten- 

 tion, and indeed prides himself on having been the first who has 

 " made use of anatomical characters for divisions." 



The work is divided into two parts ; the first consisting of the cha- 

 racters of the tribes and genera of the family. This part is illustrated 

 in two series of plates representing the skeleton and trachea of a bird 

 of each of the tribes ; while each of the genera is accompanied with 

 a wood- cut representing the bill and foot of the type species of the 

 natural size. 



The second part consists of a description of all the known species 

 of the family, amounting to 1 25 in number, six of which are beauti- 

 fully figured by Mr. Gould. Each of the species is accompanied by 

 a specific character in Latin and English, and a short English de- 

 scription with a few select synonyma, and some short remarks on 

 its habits and general geographic distribution. Indeed the author 

 appears to have paid considerable attention to the latter part of the 

 subject, and at the end of the work has given a table showing the 

 position of each species, either as a permanent resident, occasional 

 visitor, or migrant, in each of the five ranges into which Dr. Prichard 

 divided the world. 



The work, as far as we know, is quite unique of its kind in any 

 language, and is well worthy of the taste and talent of the author: 

 it is much to be hoped, when he finds how well he has succeeded 

 with this intricate group, and that there are materials in this 

 country such as he has here brought together to occupy his leisure, 

 that he will take up some of the other families in succession. For 

 however others may disagree with his views in some particulars, 

 all must agree that the plan which the author has adopted is one 

 that must greatly advance the study of ornithology, and the know- 

 ledge of the different species of birds. The only improvement that 

 we would suggest is, that the author should pay more attention to 

 the synonyma, especially to those of the original authors, from 

 whence Latham, Gmelin, Vieillot and others have taken their de- 

 scriptions, as Bonaparte has so well set the example in his revision of 

 the ' Synonyma of the American Birds.' We are aware that the com- 

 paring of birds with the original descriptions of different authors is 

 a wearisome process, and one which few but professional zoologists 



