b'dl 



Recentli/ jmblished Ornitholofjical JVorks. 



63. Haagner and Ivy on South-African Bird-life. 



[Sketclies of South- African Bird-life. By Alwin Haagner and Robert 

 H. Ivy. Illustrated by the Camera. London : R. H. Porter, 1908. 8vo. 

 182 pp.] 



A semi-popular book on the birds of Soutb Africa was 

 much wanted, and here we liave it. One author supplies 

 the text and the other tlie photographic illustrations, of 

 which 121 are given in the volume. They are not all of 

 equal merit, but many are excellent, and when the difficulties 

 to be surmounted in obtaining photographs of this kind are 

 considered it will be allowed that Mr. Ivy has done some very 

 good work. 



The letterpress is not arranged in systematic order, but 

 wanders about from one group to another, and from one 

 district to another. Other observers' notes are, of course, 

 occasionally introduced, but, on the whole, the work is based 

 on the personal observations of the two authors, who are both 

 of them well known as energetic field-naturalists. Much 

 original information on the groups of birds characteristic 

 of Africa — such as the Plantain-eaters, Honey-Guides, and 

 Barbets — is given in this volume, and the Wood-Hoopoe 

 {Irrisor viridis) is figured at its nest-hole. These 

 " sketches " are well worthy of the careful attention of 

 those who wish to form an idea of South-African Bird-life. 



6i. Hoivard's ' British Warblers' 



[The British Warblers. A History, with Problems of their Lives. By 

 H. Eliot Howard. London: R. H. Porter, 1908. Pt. 2 (separate 

 pagination), 5 coloured and 5 uncoloured plates. Price 21s. net.] 



The second part of Mr. Howard's work fully maintains 

 the standard of the first ; the letterpress is full of inter- 

 esting matter, and the illustrations are well-conceived and 

 very life-like. The two coloured plates and five uncoloured 

 photogravures of the Chift'chaff form a delightful series of 

 representations of the bird's attitudes, especially while 

 courting, and shew the plumage of the male, female, and 

 young, which is further described in the text under the 



