Aug., 1893. 



SOME NEW BOOKS, 



147 



in the case of the other works. The present work differs, moreover, 

 essentially from the others of the same series in that, as indicated by 

 its title, it is in dictionary form. In deciding to treat his subject 

 from the alphabetical rather than from the taxonomic standpoint, 

 the learned professor, to use his own words, says that this plan has 

 been adopted " because I entertain grave doubt of the validity of any 

 systematic arrangement as yet put forth, some of the later attempts 

 being in my opinion among the most fallacious, and a great deal 

 worse than those they are intended to supersede. That in a few 

 directions an approach to improvement has been made is not to be 



Flamingo. 



denied ; but how far that approach goes is uncertain. I only see 

 that mistakes are easily made, and I have no wish to mislead others 

 by an assertion of knowledge which I know no one to possess." 

 These are strong words, and we are glad to see them coming from an 

 ornithologist of the long standing and well-deserved reputation of 

 Professor Newton ; more especially since we have had occasion else- 

 where in this Journal to raise our own feeble protest against the 

 succession of crude and ill-matured schemes of avian classification 

 with which the ornithological world is flooded. Admitting, then, the 

 wisdom of the author's choice in selecting the alphabetical form, 



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