148 Recently published Ornithological Works. 



the excellent work before us from the pens of those well- 

 known Irish ornithologists^ Messrs. Ussher and Warren. 

 But, while heartily congratulating them on the result of 

 their labours, and on the care and accuracy displayed in 

 their pages, we must not forget to couple with their names 

 that of Mr. R. M. Barrington, whose records of observa- 

 tions made at Irish Light-stations have been continually 

 utilized, and vhose name was only withdrawn from the title- 

 page of this book on account of the fact that he was simul- 

 taneously engaged in preparing a digest of the records 

 already mentioned. 



After an interval of nearly fifty years, it is no light task to 

 check the records which have been accumulating, and to 

 bring the lists of occurrences up to date; so that the authors 

 are fully justified in devoting a large portion of their 

 available space to an account of the distribution of the 288 

 species which they admit. Migration and seasonal move- 

 ments are, however, duly considered, and that general 

 habits are by no means neglected may be readily seen from 

 the well-written and valuable articles on the Siskin, Cross- 

 bill, Chough, Peregrine Falcon, and Woodcock. 



An Inti'oduction on the natural features of Ireland and 

 other matters of interest, tables of distribution of Birds in 

 the breeding-season, a list of their Irish names with the 

 meanings or derivations, an Appendix treating of doubtful 

 species, and two Maps, M'ith the unreclaimed areas distinctly 

 marked, give additional value to the work of the authors. 



Schedules were, in the first place, issued to correspondents 

 in every county of Ireland, and a large amount of information 

 thereby amassed, in addition to that gathered by the writers 

 themselves both at home and on their expeditions, and thus it 

 has come to pass that from a supplement to Thompson's work 

 — such as was originally contemplated — the book has grown 

 to its present dimensions. 



Ireland is especially fortunate in the number of wildfowl 

 from the north which seek its shores in winter, while the 

 mild climate has at times induced such birds as the Quail 

 and Corncrake to pass that season within its limits. On the 



