1 886. J Recent Literature. • 12 



nianv ways as a model monograph of its kind, and cannot fail to receive 

 much heart}' commendation, as well as. doubtless, some adverse criticism. 

 Independence and originality, as well as thoroughness, are its marked 

 features. 



The work is divided into three parts. Part I is devoted to a review of 

 the species of birds collected or observed bv the author on the Commander 

 Islands and at Petropaulski, Kamtschatka. Part II is a Synopsis of 

 the birds hitherto reported to inhabit Kanitschatka. Part III is entitled 

 'Conclusions.' "The first and third parts," says the author, "are emi- 

 nently the 'results of my explorations,' while the second part is more the 

 'result of my investigations,'" and is the first attempt at a "a complete list 

 of the birds known to have been observed in Kamtschatka." 



In Part I, occupying pages 11-310, 140 species are treated. Of each 

 is given an extended table of bibliographical references, in the main 

 relating especially to the region in question; full field notes follow, 

 with tables giving lists of the specimens obtained, their measure- 

 ments, and notes on the color of the bill, feet, iris, and soft parts taken 

 from the freshly killed bird, contents of stomach, etc. Man}' questions 

 of synonymy are discussed in detail, with frequently contrasted diagnoses 

 of closely allied forms. The careful notes on the changes of plumage 

 with age and season, and the shedding and renewal of the moulted parts 

 of the bill in the various species of the Alcid^, are especially important, 

 notably supplementing and correcting previous observations on this sub- 

 ject, to which most of the illustrations in the text and five of the plates (all 

 finely executed, and four of them beautifully colored) are devoted. Care- 

 ful descriptions and colored figures from life are also given of the heads 

 of several of the Petrels, Gulls, Geese, and Cormorants. Several pages 

 are also devoted to the changes of plumage in the Ptarmigans. 



As already said, the classification is practically the same as that adopted 

 for the A. O. U. Check-List, but it difters from it in some particulars, as 

 in the adoption of superfamilies' in place of suborders, and the consequent 

 employment of different names for practically identical groups. Thus 

 the order of Loons and Grebes is termed Cercomorphie instead of Pvgo- 

 podes. 



A new genus, CJiaritonetta, is established for the Buffle-head Duck ; 

 Cucidiis peninsulcE is a new Cuckoo from the Commander Islands; the 

 American form of Ayfliya affiiih is separated from the Old World form, 

 the latter being designated A. affinis mariloides (Vig.) ; and A. marila is 

 similarly divided, the American form receiving the nameyl. marila iiearc- 

 tica Stejn. The American and Old World Goosanders are separated spe- 

 cifically. The American Bank Swallow is distinguished from, the Old 

 World form under the name Clivicola riparia ci7ierea (Vieill.). The 

 American Barn Swallow is compared at length with its Old World allies, 

 with the result of maintaining its specific distinctness. The Kamtschat- 

 kan and Alaskan Bndytes is separated from B. Jiavus, under the vari- 

 etal name let(coslriatus of Homeyer. It is also suggested that the 

 examination of further material will show the propriety of recognizing a 



