Bairds Review of American Birds 117 



remarks. Great care is also bestowed upon the synonyms both of 

 genera and species. As regards the former, not only is an exact 

 reference given to where each generic name is founded, but the 

 species considered to be the type of the genus is named, and the 

 date of its formation accurately recorded. The synonymy of the 

 species is also very carefully attended to, and the different localities 

 in which it has been obtained are accurately recorded. There is 

 likewise appended to the description a complete list of specimens 

 of the species in the Smithsonian collection in a tabular form, so 

 that it appears at once what materials Professor Baird has had 

 before him to enable him to form an opinion as to the characters 

 and limit of the species. 



In this laborious way Professor Baird has treated of the first 

 portion of the families of the American Oscines, commencing with 

 the Turdidae, and proceeding through the allied groups down to 

 the end of the Hirundinid^e. In the latter portion of the volume 

 woodcuts illustrating the structure of the beak, wings, and feet, are 

 introduced into the text, rendering the work of still greater value 

 to the student. 



From the above particulars the great importance of Professor 

 Baird's work to those who are interested in the study of ornithology 

 will be at once apparent. It is important not only from the 

 abundance of materials under Professor Baird's command, but also 

 from the laborious and careful manner in which these materials 

 have been worked out. The task undertaken is truly an arduous 

 one, but has been well commenced, and when completed will form 

 one of the most valuable contributions to the ornithological litera- 

 ture of the present era. Ph. L. Sclater. 



