Recently published Ornithological Works. 275 



{cf. Proc. Acad. Phil. 18G4 & 1866) . A species of (Estrelata, 

 formerly called (E. grisea, Kulil^ ex Latham^ is now described 

 under the new name CE. kidderi, it being clearly shown that the 

 species in question is not the Frocellaria grisea of Gmclin 

 and Latham. We have lately pointed out (Rowley's Orn. 

 Misc. pt. iv.) that the name this bird will have to bear is CE. 

 brevirostris (Less.), an examination of Lesson's type in Paris 

 proving, beyond a doubt, the right position of this species ; 

 and that Bonaparte, in identifying it with P. niacroptera, 

 Smith, was quite wrong. Dr. Coues places the name "(Estre- 

 lata inexpectata, Forst.'' (Bonap. Consp. ii. p. 189), as one of 

 the synonyms of CE. kidderi ; but the bird so determined by 

 Bonaparte (wrongly so no doubt) belongs to another species, 

 and is identical with Frocellaria incerta, Schl. But this is 

 perhaps hardly the place to discuss the intricate synonymy 

 of the Petrels, which, we may fairly say, have not their equal 

 in respect of their nomenclature ; so involved is it, in spite of 

 Dr. Coues's meritorious labours in endeavouring to extricate 

 these birds from this reproach. 



Dr. Coues adds critical notes on the nomenclature of many 

 of the species, which form a valuable contribution to the 

 work. 



Dr. Kidder's own observations are of great interest ; and he 

 describes the habits of the birds he saw very fully. As 

 most of the birds found bred in the island during the stay of 

 the expedition, ample facilities were afforded for making 

 copious field-notes, of which Dr. Kidder most amply availed 

 himself. We must add that the book itself is brought out 

 under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution, and forms 

 one of a series, now in course of publication, intended to 

 illustrate the collections of natural history and ethnology 

 belonging to the United States and constituting the National 

 Museum. 



