470 Recently published Ornithological Works. 



the Transit-of- Venus Expedition to the island of Rodriguez. 

 From these remains two nearly entire skeletons have been 

 put together, and placed in the gallery of the British 

 Museum. 



Prof. Owen, fully acknowledging the validity of the genus 

 Pezophaps, describes several portions of the skeleton not 

 represented in the series of bones examined by Messrs. A. 

 and E. Newton for their memoir on this extinct bird (Phil. 

 Trans. 1869, p. 327). He also discusses various theories as 

 to the evolution and destruction of this extraordinary bird, 

 where, however, we can scarcely follow him. We hope ere 

 long to see a still further account of the osteology of the 

 Solitaire, the joint work of Messrs. E. Newton and J. W. 

 Clark, who have not only had the same materials as Prof. 

 Owen to work at, but also another series of bones, equally 

 large, brought to this country by the former gentleman. We 

 believe that it is generally, but apparently not universally, 

 known that their memoir has been for many months in the 

 hands of the Royal Society for publication. 



52. A. Milne-Edwards on the Systematic Position of the 

 genus Mesites. 



[Observations sur les affinites zoologiques du genre 3Iesites. Compt. 

 Rend. Apr. 1878.] 



The position of this peculiar form of Madagascar has long 

 been a puzzle to ornithologists, and it has been placed in widely 

 diverse positions by diflferent authors. The controversy may 

 now be considered set at rest ; for the receipt by M. Gran- 

 didier of two specimens in spirit has enabled Prof. A. Milne- 

 Edwards to look more deeply into the question ; and his ver- 

 dict is that this curious bird must be considered the sole 

 representative of a family which must be placed near the 

 Rails and Herons, Mr. E. Bartlett (P. Z. S. 1877, p. 292) 

 had previously arrived at nearly the same. result. M. Milne- 

 Edwards also states that M. unicolor of Des Murs is the female 

 of M. variegatus of Geoffroy, a conclusion arrived at from 

 an examination of his recently acquired specimens. 



