Recently published Ornithological Works. 203 



XXIII. — Notices of recent Ornithological Publications. 



23. 'The Auk.' 



['The Auk,' a Quarterly Journal of Ornithology. Continuation of 

 the 'Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club.* Vol. I. No. 1. 

 January 1884. Boston, Mass.] 



In our last Numbei' (p. 60) we called attention to the 

 inauguration of the American Ornithologists' Union, and we 

 have now before us a copy of the first number of their 

 new organ, which is called ' The Auk.' 



It is not for us to criticize the wisdom of this title, 

 although, in reply to the Shakesperian question " What's in 

 a name?" we might say that there is a good deal in its 

 appropriateness, or the reverse. But the reasons for its 

 adoption are given; and we cordially desire for the new 

 periodical a better fate than that which has befallen the 

 most distinguished member of the family Alcidse. 



The first contribution is by Mr. C. B. Cory, who describes 

 several new birds from the Island o£ San Domingo. In 

 the Sylvicolidse he institutes a new genus Ligea (scr. Ligia, 

 the derivation being apparently Xiyeia), the type being 

 Ligea palusti'is, sp. n., which is described and figured. 

 Hirundo sclateri, sp. n., is distinguished by its larger size, 

 more slender bill, and blue forehead from //. euchrysea of 

 Jamaica. In the Tanagridse, Fhoenicophilus frugivorus, re- 

 cently described as new (Journ. Bost. Zool. Soc. ii. p. 45), 

 is made the type of a distinct genus, Calyptopihilus ; also 

 Rupornis ridgwayi and OEdicnemus dominicensis (torn. cit. 

 p. 46) are redescribed. 



The Notes on the birds of the Lower Uruguay are con- 

 tinued from the 'Nuttall Bulletin' by Mr. W. B. Barrows. 

 There are several other papers of interest ; Professor Augustus 

 C. Merriam's criticisms on the Coues Lexicon of North 

 American Birds, and Professor Elliott Coues's reply, entitled 

 ' Ornithophilo logicalities,' are very amusing as far as they 

 go ; and a continuation of these scientific amenities is pro- 

 mised. 



At the first congress of the American Ornithologists' Union 



