Letters, Extracts, Notices, ^c. 155 



came swimming like the small Penguins, with which, however, 

 they did not mix. 



'' The Skuas (Lestris) arrived and laid their eggs somewhat 

 later than Penguins. They made their nests in the heights, 

 up to 1000 feet on Cape Adare. 



'' Of Petrels, Oceanites oceanicus also hatched on Victoria 

 Land, the nests being found in cracks of the rocks and 

 under boulders. The elegant White Petrel [Pagodroma 

 nivea), with black eyes, beak, and feet, likewise builds in 

 cavities of tlie rocks. These birds are attractive both in 

 appearance and habits. The pairs sliow deep attachment, 

 and the courage of the male is indomitable when its mate is 

 in danger. The Brown-backed and Giant Petrels were seen, 

 but their nests were not discovered. I believe the former 

 breed on Geikie Land. The Giant Petrels seemed to arrive 

 before the approach of gules, and 1 attributed their visits to 

 strong winds at sea, which drove them towards the shore for 

 shelter. In tlieir flight they much resemble the Albatross.^^ 



We may add that the whole collection of l)irds made 

 during the expedition of the ' Southern Cross' is now at the 

 British Museum for determination. 



Ridgway's Birds of North and Middle America. — We 

 regret to hear that the progress of Mr. Ridgway^s great work 

 on the Birds of North and Middle America was much re- 

 tarded by the author's ill-health last year, but are pleased 

 to learn that he has lately been able to resume his labours, 

 and that the first volume (containing his account of 

 the Fringiliidse, Tanagridte, and Icteridie) will be issued 

 shortly. The area embraced in the work is the whole of the 

 American continent down to the Isthmus of Panama, and 

 includes also the West Indies and the Galapagos. The entire 

 Avifauna will therefore contain about 3000 species, which 

 are referred to 750 genera and 300 families. The illustra- 

 tions of generic characters begun in Baird's ' Review,^ and 

 continued in the ' History of North American Birds,' will be 

 extended in the present work so as to mbrace all the genera 

 which occur within its limits. 



