^°190?^] Recent Literature. 95 



proper starting point of binomial nomenclature, the authors fail sometimes 

 to follow these announced principles through adopting a system of nomen- 

 clature beginning with the twelfth edition of Linnaius (1766). 



An introduction of some 20 pages contains a sketch of ornithological 

 exploration in Brazil, its faunal regions as indicated by a study of its avi- 

 fauna, zoogeographical considerations, the preparation of the present cata- 

 logue, and questions of nomenclature and terminology, a list of the princi- 

 pal literature, and a systematic index. The two maps show (1) the 

 distribution of forests and campos in South America, and (2) the zoogeo- 

 graphic zones of Brazil and their subdivisions. These are indicated as 

 Fauna amazonica. Fauna do Brazil central, and Fauna do Brazil littoral, 

 each with a subdivision. 



The present volume enmnerates 400 genera, 1567 species, and 213 sub- 

 species, of which 1102 species are represented in the Museu Paulista by 

 6984 specimens. The technical name of each species in the Catalogue is 

 followed by a reference to the volume and page of the British Museum 

 'Catalogue of Birds' where it is described; by its vernacular name; by 

 the citation of references to it, if any, in von Ihering's papers in the 'Re- 

 vista do Museu Paulista,' and sometimes other references; by a statement 

 of its geographical distribution, in general terms, and by a list of localities 

 represented by specimens in the Museu Paulista. In case of species or 

 ' subspecies described since the publication of the British Museum Catalogue 

 a reference is given to the place of original description. There are also 

 often brief technical notes on questions of nomenclature and the status 

 and relationship of forms. In the Addenda (pp. 406-423) are further notes 

 on a number of species, with the addition of others described during the 

 printing of the work, etc. An Appendix of fifteen pages contains reprints 

 of descriptions of four species of hummingbirds described by E. J. da Silva 

 Maia in 1843 and 1852. Alphabetic indexes to both the scientific and 

 vernacular names close this important and highly useful volume. — J. A. A. 



Beal on Birds as Conservators of the Forest. — In a paper of 40 quarto 

 pages, 1 with 12 colored plates. Professor Beal treats of the utility of birds 

 as protectors of forests. About one half of the text is, as would be expected, 

 devoted to the Woodpeckers, the rest to a varied assortment of birds 

 belonging to a number of families, as Nuthatches, Creepers, Jays, Finches, 

 Warblers, Thrushes, Vireos, Cuckoos, etc. The verdict is reached that 

 birds, particularly tree-inhabiting species, are of decided economic impor- 

 tance. The woodpeckers are ranked as of the highest value as destroyers 

 of injurious tree-infesting insects, since they seek out and destroy the 

 wood-boring larvse of many noxious species. Other birds search the bark, 

 and others still the leaves, for caterpillars and other insect pests. The 



1 Birds as Conservators of the Forest. By F. E. L. Beal. Rep. New York Forest, 

 Fish and Game Commission, 1902-3, pp. 235-274, with 12 colored plates, by L. A. 

 Fuertes. Published November, 1906. 



