Recently published Ornithological Works. 109 



(pt. i. p. 63) as to the external sexual distinctions of the 

 Sphenisci. We believe that the sexes of Spheniscus are as 

 nearly as may be alike in plumage. 



Some criticisms by Saunders, on the account of the 

 Larida and their distribution, will be found in P. Z. S. 1882, 

 p. 5.27. 



26. Murray's ' Vertebrate Zoology of Sind.' 



[The Vertebrate Zoology of Siud. A systematic account with descrip- 

 tions of all the known species of Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles inhabiting 

 the Province ; observations on their habits, &c. ; tables of their Geo- 

 graphical distribution in Persia, Beloochistan, and Afghanistan, Punjab, 

 North-west Provinces, and the peninsula of India generally, with wood- 

 cuts, lithographs, and coloured illustrations. By James A. Murray. 

 Royal 8vo. London and Bombay : 1884.] 



This will be a useful compilation for the local naturalist, 

 but the original information in it is not very extensive. The 

 number of birds now known from Sind is 399, but consider- 

 able additions are expected to be made to the list. Short 

 descriptions are given of all the species, and summaries of 

 their geographical distribution. On the whole Mr. Murray's 

 volume is, in our opinion, a very creditable piece of work, 

 when the place of its production is taken into consideration. 

 Serinus pectoralis, from Kurrachee, is described as a new 

 species. 



27. Nutting on Birds from Nicaragua. 



[On a Collection of Birds from Nicaragua. By Charles C. Nutting, 

 Edited by R. Ridgway. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1883, p. 372.] 



Mr. Nutting went to Nicaragua in the early part of 1883 

 for the purpose of making a collection of birds for the Smith- 

 sonian Institution. Four districts were visited : — San Juan 

 del Sur on the Pacific ; Sucuya on the west shore of the Lake 

 of Nicaragua ; Ometepe, an island on the Lake ; and Los 

 Sabalos, on the river San Juan del Norte. The species have 

 been determined by Mr. Ridgway, who has also added critical 

 remarks. 



