BibUoijrapliical Notices. 477 



work. It will comprise an introductory treatise on the ornithology 

 of New Zealand, a diagnosis of each bird (male, female, and young) 

 in Latin and English, with the synonymy and references to the 

 more important portion of the literature, and a detailed description 

 of the external characters, of variations, and of the habits. About 

 one half of the species are represented by coloured illustrations. 

 The work will be published in five parts, each containing not less 

 than seven plates. Moreover we understand that the author in- 

 tends to conclude the work with an account of the osteology of 

 the more remarkable forms. 



There can be no doubt that Dr. Buller is eminently qualified for 

 carrying out this task. Resident in the colony for many years, he 

 has made this part of the faima his special study ; his official posi- 

 tion has enabled him, during a period of more than twelve years, to 

 visit nearly every part of the country, bringing him into frequent 

 intercourse with the various native tribes, who assisted him in 

 collecting specimens and information. By his previous preliminary 

 publications he had entered into fruit-bearing communication with 

 ornithologists in Europe; and in New Zealand itself he had in 

 Mr. Potts a most indefatigable and trustworthy fellow-labourer. 

 Finally, by a lengthened visit to England, he derived the great 

 advantage of examining types in European collections, especially in 

 the British Museum, and of availing himself of that typographic 

 and artistic skill in which this country excels. 



The author has shown unremitting care in adducing all the infor- 

 mation that can possibly throw light on his subject ; he has spared 

 no pains in illustrating it in the most perfect manner ; and the result 

 is that a most valuable work is placed before the student of ornitho- 

 logy, which will oifer to every lover of natural history real and per- 

 manent enjoyment, and which, by its attractive form, will allure 

 many a young man in that colony from the pursuit of other branches 

 into the camp of ornithology. We do not mean to say that the 

 critical eye does not detect faults ; but they refer to isolated details, 

 and do not affect the character of the work. There is only one 

 point in which we may be allowed to caution the author ; and that 

 is, to weigh carefully his reasons when he enters into questions of 

 natural affinity of various groups. Nobody will deny that Strbujops, 

 by its nocturnal habits, and consequent external modifications of a 

 portion of its head and plumage, reminds us of the owls ; but if (as 

 the author justly observes), " in all the essential characteristics of 

 structure, it is a true parrot," it cannot supply, " in the grand 

 scheme of nature, the connecting link between the owls and par- 

 rots.-' This view would be as little true as that the shrew-mice 

 are a connecting link between tlie Insectivora and Rodents. If 

 such a connecting link were in existence, we feel sure it would be 

 in a part of the world where the Btringine and Psittacine types 

 are more developed than in New Zealand. 



