Recently published Ornithological Works. 611 



present part, and consist of 510 species, so that the total 

 number of species of the Palaearctic avifauna in the present 

 work is 1219. To make a comparison, the last edition of 

 the ' Check-list ' of North-American birds enumerates about 

 780 species. Moreover, although Mr.. Dresser in some 

 cases admits subspecies under trinomial names, he does 

 not carry this practice to anything like the extent that is 

 usual in America. The mode of treatment has, therefore, 

 rather unduly increased the number of Nearctic species when 

 compared with those of the Palaearctic Region. Again, there 

 still remains a large extent of unexplored country in the moun- 

 tains of China and other parts of Asia which is likely to 

 produce a certain number of new species. But our euergetic 

 friends on the other side of the Atlantic have so thoroughly 

 worked out every hole and corner of North America that 

 little more in the way of new species can be expected to be 

 found there. The great northern region of the Old World is, 

 therefore, certainly much richer in bird-life than the corre- 

 sponding region of the New World. 



In the present work Mr. Dresser has followed pretty 

 closely the classification adopted in the ' Birds of Europe.' 

 He has wisely cut his synonymy rather short, the book being 

 primarily intended for the use of field-naturalists and 

 travellers. But native names and references to leading 

 authorities are always added. It will also be observed that 

 the extreme subdivision of genera and species, now so much 

 in vogue, has not been followed in this ' Manual.' In his 

 preface Mr. Dresser well remarks that <: the endless manu- 

 facture of subspecies, often based on very trifling differences 

 in tint, is calculated rather to puzzle and discourage than to 

 assist the beginner. " We may add that the " subdivisional " 

 mode of treatment occasionally produces the same effect 

 even on the practised naturalist ! 



115. 'The Emu.' 



[The Emu, a Quarterly Magazine to popularize the Stud}' and 

 Protection of Native Birds. Official Organ of the Australasian Ornith- 

 ologists' Union. Vol. II. 100:5, pts. 3, 4, pis. vii.-xii. (one coloured).] 



These two parts of our contemporary (c/. ' Ibis/ 190o, 



