542 Recently published Ornilhological Works. 



57. Dresser on Pala arctic Birds' Eggs. 



[Eggs of the Birds of Europe, including all the Species inhabiting the 

 Western Palsearctic Area. By H. E. Dresser. London. Parts XVII., 

 XVIII. (April 1909).] 



These parts of Mr. Dresser's work continue the Anatidse 

 and proceed to the Cohimbidee, Pteroclidse, Pliasianidse, and 

 Tetraonidse, with the addition of Turnix sylvatica, Rallus 

 aquaticus, and Porzana maruetta. The plates include eggs 

 of the Anatidaj, Pteroclidte, Tetrax^ (Edicnemus, the Chara- 

 driidce, Glareolida, Himantopus, and Recurvirostra. 



The letterpress calls for no special remarks and we may 

 therefore devote our attention to the plates, which are 

 exceptionally good. In former parls of the book the shadows 

 of the eggs were not always successfully managed, but this 

 difficulty seems now to have been entirely overcome, and we 

 are presented with a series of specimens which stand out 

 well and are very true to nature. In fact, in our opinion, 

 no other representations of eggs have ever been quite so 

 good. Even those of the Ducks shew the differences well, 

 by no means an easy matter; those of the Sand-Grouse and 

 Plover-tribe are beautiful, and the few remaining figures are 

 well up to the mark. The examples are admirably chosen 

 and often remarkable; in the case of the Oyster-catcher and 

 Avocet alone should we like a more typical variety. 



58. ' The Emu,' 1908-1909. 



[The Emu. A Quarteily Magazine to populnrizc the Study and 

 Protection of Native Birds. Vol. viii. pts. 2-4 (Oct. 1908, Jan.-April 

 1909).] 



Even in the wonderful land of Australia there is a limit to 

 new discoveries, and comparatively few are recorded in these 

 parts. In part 3, however, Mr. G. M. Mathews describes 

 Malurus dulcis, sp. n., from the South Alligator River district 

 in Arnhcim Land. The specimen was sent by Mr. J. T. 

 Tunney to the Tring Museum, where it was at first identified 

 as M. pulcherrimus. Mr. A. J. Campbell in the same part 

 proposes the name of Pnrdalotus pallidus for an apparently 

 new form, and adds further information as to the habitat 

 and breeding of PncJnjcephaln Innioidcs, hitherto known 



