154 Recent Literature. [j" n . 



Swann's ' Synoptical List of the Accipitres.' — This work l resembles 

 Sharpe's ' Hand-List ' in general style but has the distinct advantage of 

 adopting the trinomial system so that we have a means of distinguishing 

 mere geographical races from quite distinct species. Of course, there are 

 always differences of opinion as to the rank of certain forms but in the 

 majority of cases there will be uniformity of judgment upon this matter. 



The descriptions that are given are in the nature of keys, and as they 

 are very brief, and based upon adult birds, they will we fear, be of very 

 little value in a group which offers such a variety of plumages as do the 

 Accipitres. 



The classification seems to follow Sharpe pretty closely but there are a 

 number of nomenclatural changes in conformity with recent proposals 

 though the author's position in some cases we are at a loss to understand. 

 For instance, he uses /Egypins for Vultur ?nonachus of Linnreus realizing the 

 impossibility of employing I 'ultur for this species inasmuch as it was not 

 among the original species quoted by Linna>us under this generic name. 

 This is quite correct but Mr. Swann proceeds to drop Vultur entirely which 

 is, of course, impossible, while to add to the inconsistency, he retains the 

 family name Vulturidje. Again in several instances he ignores the Inter- 

 national Code and the opinions of the Commission. Thus the type of 

 Catharista is, by the Code, I ultur aura Linn., and it thus becomes a 

 synonym of Cathartes while the type of Morphnus is similarly Falco uru- 

 bitinga Gmel., yet in both cases Mr. Swann uses these names in their 

 former application. Either the author has carelessly overlooked these 

 matters or he is cutting loose from the recognized rules of nomenclature, 

 an unfortunate procedure in these days, and one which materially mars the 

 value of his work. 



We wonder somewhat at his disposition of Urubitomis solitarius Tschudi/ 

 as a subspecies of Harpyhaliaetus coronatus. The name was regarded as a 

 synonym of //. coronatus in the ' British Museum Catalogue ' and in 

 Sharpe's ' Hand-List ' but we always were in doubt as to whether Dr. 

 Sharpe had examined any specimens, as the species seems to be a rare one. 

 The two in the collection of the Philadelphia Academy seem to be quite 

 distinct from H. coronatus both specifically and generically. 



In spite of our criticisms, Mr. Swann's work is a distinct advance upon 

 anything that we have yet had and will be of the greatest assistance to 

 students of the Accipitres. It places the group upon such a basis that 

 doubtful points both of taxonomy and nomenclature can easily be worked 

 out and the results embodied in an appendix, bringing it fully up to date. 

 It is toward this end that our remarks have been directed. — W. S. 



1 A Synoptical List of the Accipitres (Diurnal Birds of Prey) Comprising Described 



Species and Subspecies with their Characters and Distribution. By H. Kirke Swann, 



F. Z. S. London: John Whelden & Co. Price 4 shillings per part. Part I. July, 1919. 



pp. 1-38; Part II, pp. 39-74, with reprint of pp. 15-16 and a page of addenda et corri- 



enda for Part I. November 7, 1919. 



