Short Notices of Ornithological Publications. 73 



casual examination. He found that in many cases butterflies 

 could only with certainty be located in the pellets and excreta 

 by the aid of the microscope. This number also contains 

 obituarial notices of Dr. W. Blasius of Germany, and Mr. A. 

 0. Hume, C;.B., of Indian ornithological fame. A. K. H. 



2. The Game-Blrds and Waterfowl of South Africa. By 

 Major Boyd Horsbrugh, A.S.C., &c. With coloured 

 plates by Sgt. C. G. Davies, C.M.R., M.B.O.U. 

 (Witherby & Co., 32G High Holborn, London, W.C.) 

 We have already noticed Parts I. and II. of the above 

 work. As before, there is little fault to be found with 

 Sgt. Davies's beautiful drawings, nor Messrs. Witherby's 

 reproductions. Some of the pictures are a little too highly 

 coloured — notably those of the Rameron Pigeon and the 

 Maccoa Duck. As stated before, we regret exceedingly that 

 considering the expense and trouble of bringing out the work, 

 that there is not a much more complete and comprehensive 

 letterpress. Parts III. and IV. contain the following : — the 

 remaining two species of Button Quail, the Guinea Fowl, 

 the Sand Grouse, three species of Pigeon, the Geese and 

 Ducks, and the Hadadah Ibis. Major Horsbrugh adheres to 

 the validity of Plectropterus niger, but the bird figured is 

 obviously not an old one. The author states it is 5 years 

 old, but they take years to develop the white plumage. The 

 point is still, however, a moot one, but from our present 

 knowledge it would seem that niger was only one form of 

 many. Sportsmen and naturalists in South Africa will bo 

 very glad of this work, which tills a decided want. We 

 congratulate author^ artist, and publisher on its successful 

 completion. 



3. Biid Protection in the United States. 



Circular No. 87, issued by the Biological Survey Bureau 

 of the United States Department of Agriculture, gives an 

 account of the " National Reservations for the Protection of 

 Wild Life^' that have been established during the past forty 

 years. 



