Recent Ornithological Publications. 513 



convenience, to adopt a barbarous word and naturalize it in their 

 own language. The consequence is a multiplication of synonyms 

 which is as needless as it is mischievous ; for nothing really can 

 be so detrimental to the study of any branch of biology as changes 

 of names adopted merely for the furtherance of a whim. We 

 have no compunction in declaring our full acceptance of the rules 

 of the Stricklandian code — a code drawn up after long and deep 

 consideration of the subject in all its multifarious aspects and 

 after repeated exchange of ideas, not only with the best ornitho- 

 logists of all countries, but with the best zoologists generally, 

 each in the branch of study to which he had especially applied 

 himself. 'Now francs-tireiirs who wear no uniform and recog- 

 nize no discipline are, by the laws of war, subject to severe 

 penalties; indeed there is, according to the publicists, but one 

 step between them and pirates — humani generis hostes. No code 

 on any subject whatever was, we believe, so fully submitted to 

 international authority as the Stricklandian ; those who infringe 

 it knowingly are, we hold, guilty of a grave offence, and we are 

 sorry to find our respected friends Drs. Hartlaub and Finsch 

 among the number. With this protest we desire to express our 

 extreme admiration of the work. 



We have so often been asked to I'ccommend, both to tyros and 

 to adepts, a good work on the general structure and chief pecu- 

 harities of birds, and have so often been compelled to say that 

 none such existed, that it is with especial pleasure we at last see 

 the prospect of one which will answer the purpose. In most 

 general works on Comparative Anatomy the class ^W5 receives but 

 scant notice, and is so treated as to be only useful to mere be- 

 ginners, who find that they are led but a little way on their par- 

 ticular path of study. The " coming man^' who appears likely 

 to fill the void is Professor Euiil Selenka, of the University of 

 Leyden, whose continuation of Bronn's work on the Animal 

 Kingdom* deserves high praise; for the two parts relating to 



* Dr. H. G. Bronn's Klassen unci Ordnungen ties Thier-Reichs wissen- 

 schaftlich dargestellt in Wort und Bild. Fortgesetzt von Dr. Emil 

 Selenka. Sechster Band. IV. Abtheilung. Aves. Lieferungen 1, 2. 

 Leipzig und Heidelberg : 18(j!^. 



N. S. — VOL. VI. 2 O 



