1887.I Recent Literature. 



'49 



backed, which latter I have taken while singing, contrary to the state- 

 ment made that while here they have only a low, soft call-note. 



That so large a number of errors should have crept in is to be deplored, 

 especially as many seem to be easily avoidable, but that the work will be 

 of the greatest service to the class for whom it is intended cannot be 

 doubted, many ornithologically-inclined friends having inquired anxious! \ 

 for its appearance, as it was just what they needed to aid them in the 

 study of our birds. — W. E. Saunders. 



Stejneger on the Species of Pardalotus.* — This paper relates especially 

 to the forms recognized by Mr. Sharpe (Cat. Bds. Brit. Mtis., X, 18S5, p. 

 54) as Pardalotus ornatus, P. assimilis, anil P. affinis, assimilis being 

 here considered as a subspecies of affinis. A 'Key to the Species' of tbis 

 genus is appended, of which eighl and one subspecies are recognized, seven 

 of which are represented in the collection of the National Museum. — 

 J. A. A. 



Stejneger on Two European Thrushes. — Dr. Stejneger, in a paperf of 

 eight pages, maintains the existence in Europe of two species of Ring- 

 Ouzel, namely, the 'Northern Ring-Ouzel' {Turdus torquatus auct.), and 

 the 'Alpine Ring-Ouzel' {Tardus alpesiris Brehm) ; the first a northern- 

 breeding bird, migrating south in winter; the other supposed to breed 

 in the high mountains of Central and Southern Europe. The two forms 

 occur together in winter, and have been hitherto con rounded by nearly all 

 writers, although well distinguished by Brehm. He says : "It has been 

 the unfortunate fashion to sneer at the species and subspecies of Brehm, 

 and the simple fact that a name was established by him has been sufficient 

 reason to ignore it altogether and to put it into the synonymy without 

 further investigation. This is not only injustice to Brchm's honest labor 

 and his extreme power of discrimination, but it has resulted in absolute 

 injury to science." — J. A. A. 



Stejneger on Japanese Birds. — In the 'Proceedings' of the U. S. National 

 Museum Dr. Stejneger continues his 'Review of Japanese Birds,' J Part 

 II treating of the 'Tits and Nuthatches,' and Part III of the 'Rails, Gallin- 

 ules, and Coots.' In the first paper six species of Paries are recognized, 

 two of sEgithalos, one otRemiza (gen. nov.), and one of Sit to, with two 

 additional subspecies, one of which (S/tta atnurr/zs/s clara) is described 

 as new. Synopses are given of the genera and species, the synonymy is 



* Notes on Species of the Australian Genus Pardalotus. By Leonhard Stejneger. 

 Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1866, pp. 294-296. (Dated Oct. 19, 1886; received by the re- 

 viewer Feb. 14, 1887.) 



t On Turdus alpestris and Turdus torquatus, two distinct species of European 

 Thrushes. By Leonhard Stejneger. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, pp. 365-373. 

 (Dated Oct. 30, 1886; received by the reviewer Feb. 14, 1887.) 



X Review of Japanese Birds. By Leonard Stejneger. II.— Tits and Nuthatches. 

 Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, pp. 374-394. III. Rails, Gallinules, and Coots. Ibid., pp. 

 395-408. (Dated "Oct. 20, 1886'' ; received by the reviewer Feb. 14, 1887.) 



