626 Recenthj published Ornithological Works. 



Zoology, with Mr. Seth E. Meek as Assistant Curator, and 

 Mr. N. Dearborn as Assistant Curator in the Department 

 of Ornithology. Our old friend Mr. D. G. Elliot, M.B.O.U., 

 has given up his former post in the Museum and is, we 

 believe, gone on a tour round the world. 



101. Rothschild's ' Extinct Birds.' 



[An Attempt to unite in one volume a short account of those Birds 

 which have become Extinct in historical times — that is, within the last 

 six or seven hundred years. To which are added a few which still exist, 

 but are on the verge of extinction. By the Hon. Walter Rothschild, 

 Ph.D., F.Z.S. With 45 coloured plates, embracing 63 subjects, and other 

 illustrations. London : Hutchinson & Co., Paternoster Row, E.G., 

 1907.] 



When the International Congress of Ornithologists met 

 at South Kensington in June 1896 a day was specially set 

 apart for an excursion to Tring, where Mr. Walter Rothschild 

 had invited his brother Ornithologists to inspect his Zoolo- 

 gical Museum. Birds, as we all know, are one of the leading 

 features of Mr. Rothschild's rich collection, and, amongst 

 birds, those ''that have become extinct within historical 

 times,-*' either by the agency of man or from some other 

 unascertained cause, have always claimed a large share of 

 his attention. Mr. Rothschild has been endeavouring to 

 obtain specimens of the birds that come under this category 

 for many years, and has met with a considerable measure of 

 success. On the occasion in question he took the opportunity 

 of collecting these rarities together in one room, where they 

 were slightly reinforced by specimens lent to him for the 

 occasion; and he gave a most interesting lecture upon them, 

 which was listened to by his ornithological brethren with 

 deep attention. The lecture was further illustrated by the 

 exhibition of a series of excellent coloured illustrations of 

 extinct birds prepared by some of the best artists of the day. 

 It is mainly upon these specimens and drawings that, at the 

 request of many of his friends, Mr. Rothschild has written and 

 published the sumptuous volume now before us. It should 



