New and forthcoming Ornithological Works, S^c. 193 



such an extent that the work reads not unlike first proofs just 

 issued from the hands of a careless printer. Had some simple 

 or even alphabetical arrangement of authors been adopted, with 

 less regard to the particular natui'e of their works, and the whole 

 undergone careful revision, the result would have proved of the 

 greatest benefit to working ornithologists. Even as it is, we can 

 see that the book can be used with advantage as a ready guide 

 to references, the omission of which in Mr. Gray's Hand-list 

 forms its weakest point. 



Messrs. H. M. Labouchere and Mr. Jesse have undertaken a 

 translation of Dr. A. E. Brehm's ' Bird-Life ' ■^", of which four 

 parts have appeared. The translators seem to have performed 

 their duties with commendable care ; and the parts improve as 

 they go on. We cannot, however, but wish that their energies 

 had been bestowed upon a work more worthy of their labour. 

 Dr. Brehm's book abounds with observations of a very superficial 

 character, and appears to us to be likely to afford little solid in- 

 struction either to the student or the general reader. We trust 

 an index to scientific names will be given in the last part ; for at 

 present it is very difficult to find the subjects of Dr. Brehm's 

 observations. To search for them is like (to quote the old saw) 

 " looking for a needle in a truss of hay." 



Ornithological Works in prospect. 



The numerous ornithological notes which have appeared in 

 the pages of this Journal and elsewhere upon the birds of Egypt 

 are shortly to be collected under one cover by Captain G. E. 

 Shelley, who has much additional information to impart. The 

 work will be large octavo size, and will be illustrated by fourteen 

 coloured Plates. This book will be of undoubted use and interest 

 to all travellers on the Nile, more especially as the description of 

 each species will be sufficiently full to enable the traveller to 

 identify his specimens. The prospectus, which has just reached 

 us, contains a pretty Plate, by Keulemans, oi Nectarinia metallica. 



Messrs. Layard and Sharpe have in preparation a ' Handbook 



* Bird-Iiife. By Dr. A, E. Brehm. Translated from the German by 

 II. M, Labouchere and W. Jj^sse. Large 8vo : London, 187L Parts 

 T.-IV. (Van Voorst). 



