628 Recenthj published Ornitliolo(jical Works. [Ibis, 



is most probably the result of couvergence or parallelism, 

 not of affiuity, and must be ascribed to the loss of flight- 

 power. 



The only living bird with which Diatryma seems to show 

 any real relationship is Carinma, the Seriama or Screamer 

 of South America, an isolated and primitive type whose 

 affinities have been much disputed but are now considered 

 to be with the Cranes (Gruiformes). 



So distinct, however, is this remarkable form that 

 Messrs. Matthew and Granger have found it necessary to 

 place it in a new order and family Diatrymse, which should 

 be placed provisionally near the Cranes. The genus was 

 first described by Cope in 1874 from some fragments, chiefly 

 of the leg-bones. The skeleton here described is referred to 

 a new species, D. steini, differing only from the type-form 

 in the greater length of the outer digit. 



The memoir is fully illustrated and contains full descrip- 

 tions of all the bones as well as some very interesting general 

 conclusions on avian palaeontology, which should be studied 

 by all interested in this subject. 



Mullens and Swcmri's Bibliography of British Ornithology. 



[A Bibliography of British Ornithology from the earliest times to the 

 end of 1912, including biographical accounts of the principal writers and 

 bibliographies of their published works. By W. II. Mullens, M.A., etc., 

 etc., and H. Kirke Swaun. xx+C91 pp. London (Macmillan), 1916- 

 1917. 8vo. 3Gs.] 



Messrs. Mullens and Swann's valuable work is now com- 

 pleted, and we have nothing but praise to give to it. It is a 

 monument of learning and research, and anyone who has 

 had to do with preparing biographies and bibliographies will 

 realize what infinite time and patience are required to obtain 

 a tithe of the facts required, many of which have to he 

 sought out through correspondence and by reference to 

 obscure works. 



Some fifteen pages of addenda and corrigenda are printed 

 in tiie last part recently issued and help to render the list 

 of works and biographies more complete, but it is quite 



