484 Recently published Ornithological Works. 



tropical flora and fauna, and their characteristic groups. One 

 or two slips occur, such as when we are told that the blood- 

 sucking bats belong to the genus PhyUostoma^ ; but the 

 general subject has never been treated of in a more lucid 

 manner. 



The fourth chapter, however, on the Humming-birds, as 

 more especially illustrating the luxuriance of tropical nature, 

 is that which will above all interest the ornithologist. Mr. 

 Wallace^s explanation of the way in which the singular state 

 of affairs as regards the Trochilidae of Juan Fernandez and 

 Mas-afuera may have come to pass deserves particular 

 attention. 



77. Nathusius on the Structure of the Egg-shell in the 

 Oscines. 



[ Abgrenzung der Ordnung der Oscinen von den Clamatoren, Scansoren 

 iind Columbiden durch die Structur der Eiscbalen. Von W. v. Nathu- 

 sius (Konigsborn). Zeitzscb. f. d. ges. Wiss. ser. 2, Bd. xviii. p. 09.] 



In continuation of previous memoirs on the microscopical 

 structure of the egg-shell in birds, Von Nathusius now de- 

 scribes the peculiar structure of the egg-shell of the Oscines, 

 and shows that that of the Clamatores is quite different, and 

 agrees rather with that of the Scansores and Columbse. 

 Cypselus belongs in this respect to the latter type, while the 

 structure of the egg-shell in Hirundo is distinctly Oscinine. 

 In Steatornis the egg-structure is that of the Caprimulgidse. 



78. Buller on the Birds of New Zealand. 



(1) " Notes on the Ornithology of New Zealand,^^ by Walter 

 L. Buller, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Institute, vol. v. (1877') 

 p. 191. 



(2) "Further Notes on the Ornithology of New Zealand,^^ 

 by the same, ibid. p. 201. 



(3) '^On the Disppearance of the Korimako {Anthornis 

 melanura) from the North Island," by the same, ibid. p. 209. 



(4) " Further Descriptive Notes of the Huia {Heteralocha 

 acutirostris) /' by the same, ibid. p. 211. 



* Op. cit. p. 120. See what Mi*. Dobson says on this point in bis new 

 ' Catalogue of Bats,' pp. 48G, 549. 



