1 92 1 .] Recently published Ornitholoyical Works. 735 



the higliest mountain, Mt. Baguezan, readies an elevation 

 of 6050 feet, and no naturalist lias ever previously collected 

 in this district, though it has been occupied by the French 

 now for some years. The results of this expedition are 

 tlierefore of very special interest, not only because the 

 fauna of Asben was quite unknown, but also because it has 

 brought fresh light on the boundary-line between the 

 Paloearctic and Ethiopian regions. Capt. Angus Buchanan, 

 whom Lord Rothschild was fortunate enough to secure to 

 undertake this mission, was most successful, and brought 

 examples of 168 species of birds, of which, however, only 

 65 were from Asben itself. Of these 65 by far the greater 

 proportion are inhabitants of tropical Africa and had reached 

 Asben from the south, but a iew, about 8 or 10 species, 

 must have reached Asben from the north. We may there- 

 fore conclude that Asben lies within the Ethiopian Region, 

 while the fauna of Hoggar mountains, about 300 miles to 

 the north, where in 1914 Geyr von Scliweppenbuig and 

 Spatz made their fruitful collections, is predominantly 

 palsearctic in character. 



Capt. Buchanan reached Kano, from Lagos, early in 

 December 1919 and stayed there a month. From there he 

 proceeded to Agades, the capital of the district, which he 

 reached on 11 April, 19.20. lie was in the mountains from 

 May 8 to June 6 and got back to Kano in September. The 

 rainy season was then at its height. He also made collec- 

 tions of Mammals, Insects, and other animals, and of plants. 



Dr. Hartert has discussed the birds at considerable lengthy 

 drawing attention to their status, distribution, variation, 

 and moults, and has described twelve new subspecific forms. 

 As the Novitates is so accessible to all workers it does not 

 seem necessary to list these here. The nine plates contain 

 views of the scenery of the country from the photographs 

 of Capt. Buchanan. 



We can only conclude by congratulating Capt. Buchanan, 

 Lord Rothschild, and Dr. Hartert on having accomplished 

 a fine piece of work and having made a very considerable 

 addition to our knowledge of African birds, 



3c2 



