Recently published Ornithological Works. 361 



in some cases, perhaps a little too gaudily coloured, but the 

 numerous figures in the text are mostly excellent, and render 

 the work quite a picture-book. The paper and print are like- 

 wise of first quality, and it is obvious that no pains or expense 

 has been spared to make the book as complete as possible. 



After a short preface Messrs. Dawson and Bowles pass 

 on to the histories of the 372 birds which they recognise 

 as belonging to the Avifauna of the State of Washington. 

 They waste no space in synonyms, but unhesitatingly accept 

 the nomenclature of the American Check-list. But we are 

 glad to see that they do not follow its lead in commencing 

 with the lowest forms of bird-life, but revert to the ordinary 

 practice of beginning at the top of the tree and descending 

 gradually to the bottom. Subspecies are liberally admitted, 

 and in fact treated as of exactly the same rank as the well- 

 marked species, though when it comes to distinguishing- 

 one Crow from another by its " clearer voice " we are apt 

 to become a little sceptical as to any real subspecific 

 difference. 



.Full details respecting the habits and customs of each 

 species follow the technical descriptions, and the ranges 

 in the State as well as the " General Ranges " are dis- 

 tinctly stated. But we regret that no map has been added 

 to the work. Some ignorant people may happen not to 

 know where the "State of Washington" is, and a map 

 supplemented by a description of the physical features of 

 this somewhat remote part of the Great Republic would give 

 them valuable information. 



32. Ghigi on the Silver-Pheasants. 



[Richerche di sistematica speriruentale sul genere Gennceus Wagler. 

 Memoria del Prof. Alessandro Ghigi. Mem. It. Accad. Sc. Bologna, Ser. 6, 

 Tom. vi. Bologna, 1909.] 



This memoir treats of the Pheasants of the genus Gennaus 

 of Wagler — one of the five genera into which the old genus 

 Euplocamus has been divided. Mr. Ogilvie-Grant in the 

 ' Catalogue of Birds ' recognised eight species of this group, 



