264 Recent Ornithological Publications. 



minute in proportion to its body as probably to render it in- 

 capable of flight. This very interesting species, first described 

 by Mr. Gould (P. Z. S. 1868, pp. 220, 221), seems to be re- 

 stricted in its range to the highland lake of Titicaca, in Bolivia. 

 Accompanying the plate on which Gallinago imperialis is figured, 

 we find the general divisions into which the American Snipes 

 (nine in number) are capable of separation ; and with the account 

 of the following species, G. nobilis, the full synonymy of the 

 whole of these species is given, to which a few short notes on 

 each are added. The two final plates of the work represent as 

 many Ducks — one the little-known Anas puna of Tschudi, and 

 the other Merganetta turneri, a newly described (P. Z. S. 25 Nov. 

 1869) species of this singular genus. 



The present volume, as now completed, contains illustrations 

 of South- American birds only ; but we venture to express a hope 

 that, if a further series of plates is contemplated, the subjects 

 may be selected from other parts of the world, though doubtless 

 the Neotropical avifauna could afford sufficient materials for 

 several such volumes as the present. 



We notice with pleasure that several of the continental mu- 

 seums have lent specimens to the authors, to furnish some of 

 the subjects of the illustrations — which being thus made from 

 original type-specimens, are of additional value. 



Mr. Rodd has brought out a new edition of the pamphlet * 

 we formerly mentioned (Ibis, 1868, p. 100), wherein appear 

 not only the additional manuscript notes of which we then 

 spoke, but also some other observations of no small interest — 

 those in the "Appendix" especially — bringing the whole up to 

 the present level of his information. Having so lately remarked 

 upon the ornithology of Cornwall, we need not now enlarge 

 upon that subject, particularly as Mr. Rodd^s publication, 

 though one which cannot be neglected, still leaves much to be 

 desired. 



* ' A List of British Birds, as a Guide to tlie Ornithology of Cornwall,* 

 kc. By Edward Hp:arle Rodd. Second edition, London and Pen- 

 zance : 18(39. 8to. pp. •'il. 



