Vol. XXIj Recent Liierattire. 9;; 



Africa to the Sahara, and Asia soutli to northern Arabia and the Ilima- 

 lajas, and China to about the latitude of Pekin. A few North American 

 forms are included when they belong to circumpolar species, for the pur- 

 pose of completing the account of the group, as in Pica pica and the genus 

 Acantkis but not in the case of Corvtis corrtA;, although this species is cited 

 in the introduction as an example of this treatment. It is to be noted that 

 the name fiammea {Fringilla JJamtnea Linn.) is substituted for the familiar 

 linaria {F. linaria Linn.) for Acantkis linaria, on the basis of precedence 

 on the same page. Several subspecies are also here described for the 

 first time. 



Although we have a recent popular manual on the birds of the same 

 region, the present work is to be inost heartily welcomed as an exposition 

 of the subject from a technically up-to-date standpoint. — J. A. A. 



'The Avicultural Magazine.' — 'The Avicultural Magazine ' ^ is the 

 journal of the Avicultural Society, which has for its object "The study of 

 foreign and British birds in freedom and captivity," exclusive of "Poul- 

 try, Pigeons and Canaries." 



It is published monthly, forming an annual volume of about 450 pages, 

 with numerous colored and other plates, and also text figures. It is 

 devoted, as the name implies, largely to the habits and rearing of wild 

 birds in captivity, but contains also papers on birds observed in a state of 

 freedom ; the present volume including a series of illustrated populai- 

 papers by Mr. J. Lewis Bonhote on birds observed by him in the Baha- 

 mas (already noticed in this journal, XX, 1903, p. 230 ); on 'Birds in 

 Towns,' by John Sergeant; 'The Late Rains and their effect on Bird 

 Life' (in England), by E. G. B. Meade-Waldo, etc. Besides the general 

 articles, there are departments for 'Reviews,' ' Bird Notes,' ' Correspond- 

 ence,' etc. 



An interesting note from a bird-dealer on 'British Birds in New Zea- 

 land,' states that Goldfinches, Redpolls, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Hedge 

 Sparrows, Thrushes, Blackbirds, Yellow-hammers, Buntings, and Gray 

 Linnets, liberated some twenty-five years ago, have become very abundant 

 so that a catch of "fifteen dozen Goldfinches a day," or seventeen dozen 

 Redpolls, is easily- made, while Chaffinches, Greenfinches and Hedge Spar- 

 rows may be had in "any quantity." 



The magazine is largely taken up, as would be expected, with the 

 habits and care of birds in captivity. There are several very interesting 



' The I Avicultural Magazine, | being the Journal of | the Avicultural Society 

 for the Study of | Foreign and British Birds | in Freedom and Captivity. | 

 Edited by | D. Seth-Smith, F. Z. S., M. B. O. U. | New Series, Vol. I. | Nov- 

 ember, 1902 to October, 1903. | London: | R. H. Porter, | 7, Princes Street,, 

 Cavendish Square, W. | 1903. — 8vo, pp. i-xx, 1-431, 32 pll. (12 colored), 

 and 18 text figures. Annual membership subscription, los. 



