J 04 Recent Ornithological Publications. 



divisions adopted are sometimes too numerous, and the arrange- 

 ment employed a little out of date. But this does not interfere 

 with the great general merit of the work, which is, we believe, 

 mainly due to the labour bestowed upon it by Mr. F. Moore. 



De VerteuiFs 'Trinidad*' contains a good deal of informa- 

 tion upon the zoology of the island, put together in rather a 

 desultory way. The scientific names when given are often mis- 

 spelt. "We learn (p. 118) that the King Vulture inhabits the 

 high woods, as also the Red-headed Cathartes. The Black- 

 headed Cathai'tes, as in the U. S., is gregarious, and found prin- 

 cipally in the towns and plantations, where it is the common 

 scavenger. ' An Essay on the Ornithology of Trinidad,' by 

 Antoine Leotand, is appended, and here also will be found much 

 generally interesting matter. Nearly 300 species are stated to 

 have fallen under observation. A list is given of their genera 

 and subgenera ''after Cuvier.'' The Guacharo {Steatornis) is 

 in Trinidad also called " Diablotin." Dr. Leotand remarks: — 

 " The young ones, which are literally a mass of fat, are highly 

 praised and relished by amateurs. I have on several occasions 

 partaken of them, but must candidly confess, in consequence of 

 a certain cockroachy flavour, which is the reverse of tempting, 

 I have for a long time discarded that dish." 



The ' Naturalist in Bermuda f' is the title of a little work on 

 the " geology, zoology and botany of that remai'kable group of 

 islands,'' just issued from the press. Mr, Jones is fortunate in 

 having secured two such excellent observers as Major Wedder- 

 burn and Mr. Hurdis to assist him in his labours on the 

 birds. Except the notices in Sir William J ardine's ' Contribu- 

 tions,' the present is the only attempt at an account of this 

 peculiar fauna, which is divided in its allegiance between the 

 Old and New Worlds, and seems to incline first towards one 

 and then towards the other, " according to the way the wind 

 blows." On the whole, however, the American types are de- 

 cidedly predominant, Cardinalis virginianus and Sialia wilsoni 



* ' Trinidad : its Geography, Natural Resources, Administration, Present 

 Condition and Prospects.' By L. A. A. De Verteuil, M.D.P. London, 

 1858, 1 vol. 8vo. 



t Reeves and Turner, Strand. London, 18i>r^ 



