Recently published Omitholoyical Works. 5 19 



were on au elevated sand-bank, where Casuarinas and 

 Rhizophores were growing. Here Art ami and Rhipidura 

 tricolor were constant visitors to the trees, while some 

 species of Plilotis were also very common. On the sandy 

 sea-sliorc the voice of Corvus orru was often heard, and 

 Tringoides hypoleucus was abundant. 



After some preliminary remarks, in which the diversity 

 of ornithologists' views and practice as regards sub-species 

 are deservedly commented upon, the author gives a list of the 

 149 species of which examples were obtained. One "sub- 

 species " — Lorius cyanauchen viridicrissalis — is described as 

 new, while two others are doubtful. Most of the specimens 

 belonged to well-known Papuan species, but Munia spectabilis, 

 a Finch, previously only obtained in New Britain, was met 

 with near Lake Sentani on the north coast. The exact 

 localities of all the specimens are stated. Examples of nine 

 species of Birds-of-Paradise w r ere secured. At Humboldt 

 Bay, Paradisea minor jinschi was very common, but males in 

 full dress could only be obtained inland, those on the coast 

 having been all shot off ! 



51. Beebe on the Hoatzin. 



[Ecology of the Hoatzin. By C. William Beebe. Zoologica, vol. i. 

 No. 2. New York, Dec. 1909.] 



The New York Zoological Society has started a new 

 periodical, called ' Zoologica/ of which four parts relating 

 to birds are now before us. All are by the same gifted 

 author, whose name is well-known to us, and are based on 

 the results of his own recent work. 



The Hoatzin is one of the most anomalous members of 

 the Class of Birds, and additional information concerning 

 it, especially as regards its habits and mode of life, are very 

 welcome. We have also in Mr. Beebe's article a complete 

 resume of all that was previously known of this strange fowl. 



Mr. Beebe met with the Hoatzin on the River Guarapiche, 

 in South-eastern Venezuela, in March 1908, and on the 

 Aburi River in British Guiana in April 1909, and had good 

 opportunities of observing its curious habits, which he 



