142 Recently published (Jraitholuyical Works. 



(2) and (3), the young of Opisfhocomus and Gallus agree \vit!i 

 that of Megapodius. 



We are further informed that the pterylosis is practically 

 the same in the adult and in the embryo, while in both of 

 these the wing is diastataxial (aquintocubital) ; the nestling, 

 moreover, lacks the twelve rectrices found in the full-grown 

 bird. 



The nestling Megapodius has no jn'ceplumulai [or what 

 might be termed ante-down-feathers] , neither are its feathers 

 praepenncE [ante-contour-feathers], the latter being shed 

 early in embryonic life or only remaining in the form of 

 transitory rudiments, which may be seen on the tips of the 

 remiges of tlie ripe embryo. If these represent the prae- 

 pennse of other birds, they differ in that the rami are dis- 

 integrated within an unbroken sheath. Owls have similar 

 plumage during their first year, following upon the prsepennse, 

 but Megapodius possesses it at birth. 



The structure of the nestling-plumage is probably unique ; 

 the feathers liave a long, simple, main shaft, with a well- 

 defined aftershaft, both having close-set, bdaterally arranged, 

 delicate rami, beginning near the base and reaching to the 

 tip, while the radii, which clothe the whole of the rami, are 

 often produced into _/i7a, the homologues of the booklets of 

 contour-feathers. The rami at the distal end of the main 

 shaft are basally compressed into blade-like lamincc, wherein 

 they resemble those of the prsepennre in the young Tinamou. 



25. Reichenow's Birds of Africa. 



[Die Vdgel Afrikas. Von Aut. Reichenow. Erster Band. Erste 

 Halfte. 4to. Neudannn : J. Neumann, 1900. Pp. 820. Price 50s.] 



The great interest now taken in African ornithology is 

 indicated by the issue of two special works on it, of nearly 

 the same scope, at the same time. While Capt. Shelley is 

 writing his ^ Birds of Africa ' in London, Prof. Reichenow 

 is preparing his ' Vogel Afrikas ' in Berlin. The first " half- 

 volume " of the latter important work has lately been received 

 in this country. It commences with an essay on the history 



