328 Reccntlij published Omitlwloyical Works. [Ibis, 



forms in other groups of islands ; but this is by no means 

 always tlie case, aiul there are many instances of com- 

 paratively closely allied species bein^- found together even 

 in the same patch of forest. Finally, a revised list of the 

 fannal regions into which the islands can he most con- 

 veniently arranged, is given. 



A map and a number of piiotograplis of characteristic 

 scenery in the islands agreeably assist one to follow the 

 facts and arguments put forward in the paper, which is one 

 of very considerable importance, and should ])e studied, by 

 all interested in the problems of the distribution of birds 

 in tropical lands. 



Matheios on Australian Birds. 



[The Birds of Australia. By Gregory M. Matliews. Vol. viii. pt. 5, 

 pp. 241-316, pis. 395-399. London (Witherby), December 15th, 1920,] 



Tins part, which concludes the volume, gives us an 

 unusually simple task, as it contains only various Pachy- 

 cephaline forms now separated in the genera given below. 



First, we have the conclusion of Leivinomis rufiventris, 

 to which many a generic name was given of old, not without 

 reason, as it shows a certain affinity to Colluricincla. Only 

 one species is allowed, tlie others being reduced to nine 

 subspecies, of which dulcior of North Queen slan.d, gaivler- 

 etisis of South Australia, and waddelli from the same country 

 are new. Gilbertornis has two species — riifo(/ularis, which is 

 said to have a peculiar note, and inornaius, which is proved 

 to be the proper appellation oi gilbertii, with its three sub- 

 species. The i-obust Alisterornis lanioides Avas considered 

 worthy of specific rank, even by Gould ; its range lies to 

 the northward and it has a curious habit of feeding on small 

 crabs. There are four subspecies. Timixos olivaceus, with 

 one less, is £(j1 lowed by Mattingleya griseiceps, which is the 

 Eojisulh-ia inornata of Ramsay and almost certainly Pachy- 

 cephula peninsiilce of Hartert. Muscitrea simplex, which is 

 said to be synonymous witli Tephrodornis grisola of Blyth, 

 has two subspecies, which are certainly different from the 

 extralimital form. 



