Recenthj published Ornithological Works. 399 



Though we do not deny that in some Motmots the spatu- 

 lation of the tail-feathers may be effected by the bird itself 

 (Diet. p. 595), we doubt this being the case in other species'^, 

 and in some INIotraots, we believe, the tail-feathers are 

 originally developed in a spatulate form. 



The sketch of the way in which the Pennant-winged Night- 

 jar [Macrodipteryx) carries its long second primary (Diet, 

 p. 641) is quite novel and most remarkable. It is not easy, 

 however, to understand how the second primary of a bird 

 can be elevated at nearly right angles to the other primaries, 

 and it would be desirable to ascertain the mechanism by which 

 this phenomenon is effected. 



On the whole, the salient features of the 'Dictionaiy' 

 appear to us to be its excellent anatomical and osteological 

 articles and the original antiquarian information which 

 abounds in its pages. We trust to see the completing part 

 of it shortly issued, and are sure that every ornithologist 

 should possess a copy of this most useful work. 



92. Rey on the Cuckoo. 



[Beobachtungen iiber den Kiickuck bei Leipzig aus dem Jahre 1894. 

 Von E. Rey. J. f. O. 189o, p. SO. 



Der Miillerisclie Kuckuck briitet imnier nocb ! E. Re}'. Oru. Monatsb. 

 p. 7. 



Was ist der Grund fiir die grosse Variabilitat der Kuckuckseier ? Von 

 E. Rey. Monatsb. Deutscb. Ver. z. Scbutze d. Vogelwelt, 189o, no. 1.] 



Dr. Rey continues his articles on the Cuckoo and its 

 habits, and furnishes us with valuable statistics, which we 

 commend to the notice of those interested in the Cuckoo- 

 question. 



93. Robinson's Trip to the Tropics. 



[A Flying Trip to the Tropics, a Record of an Ornithological Visit to 

 the United States of Colombia, South America, and to the Island of 



* [There has been a specimen of MomofAis subrufesceris living in the 

 Zoological Society's Gardens since May 6th, 1890. It reproduces its 

 moulted tail-feathers in a perfect state every year. The keeper in charge 

 of it says that he has never seen it nibble out the webs of the central 

 rectrices (as it ought to do), but that the pieces disappear gradually — he 

 does not know how. — P. L. S.] 



