136 Recently published Ornithological Works. 



tions to the list^ while two new subspecies are described 

 under the names Aethopyga siparaga niasensis and Chloropsia 

 zosterops parvirostris. On the whole there can be no doubt 

 that the avifauna of Nias is Sumatran, with a certain infusion 

 of peculiar species and subspecies. 



11. Rett's 'Dictionary of Bird Notes.' 



[A. Dictionary of Bird Notes, to wliicli is appended a Glossary of 

 Popular, Local, and Old-fashioned Synonyms of British Birds. By Chas. 

 LouLs Ilett. 12mo. Brigg, 1898.] 



The author has evidently bestowed considerable care upon 

 a very difficult task, for the human sense of hearing varies 

 more than sight, and agreement as to the syllabic repro- 

 duction of the notes of birds is practically unattainable. 

 The scheme is business-like. First comes an alphabetical 

 list of the call-notes, " posted," in commercial phrase, to the 

 utterer; and this is followed by a list of birds and the 

 sounds Avhich they emit. Some amusing " promiscuous 

 feeding " is to be found in this portion ; while a glossary of 

 popular, local, and old-fashioned names is useful and sug- 

 gestive. It was unnecessary to inform us that the word 

 " couple " means two, and it is erroneous to assume that 

 two are necessarily " a pair.'^ We never before heard of a 

 " murmuration " of Starlings, but the word has a com- 

 mendably blessed and soothing sound. 



12. ^ Irish Naturalist.' 



[The Irish Naturalist, a Monthly Journal of general Irish Natural 

 History. Edited by G, H. Carpenter and R. Lloyd Praeger. Vol. vii, 

 Nos, 1-11. Dublin : Eason & Son, Limited. 1898.] 



We are glad to see that this useful journal maintains the 

 reputation with which it started in 1892. As regards birds, 

 the first contribution in 1898 is by ]\Iiss Lena Gyles (now 

 Mrs. R, M. Barrington), and treats of the occurrences in 

 Ireland of tlie Wryneck [lynx torquilld), a bird which is an 

 extremely rare visitor to the sister-island, and was not re- 

 corded at all until 1877. Even now only five examjiles are 

 known, and two of these have been obtained at lighthouses. 



