Recently published Ornithological Works. 355 



Shufeldt on the Cranes and Rails. 



[Comparative Osteology of certain Rails and Cranes, and the Syste- 

 matic Positions of the Super-suborders Gruiformes and Ralliformes. 

 By R. W. Shufeldt. Anat. Record, Philadelphia, ix. 1915, pp. 731- 

 750.] 



After a short review of tlie classificatory arrangements 

 proposed by various authors, from Merrem ia 1813 to 

 Gadow at the present time, in regard to the Cranes and 

 Rails, Ur. Shufeldt proceeds to examine some of the various 

 forms, such as Crex, Rallus, Fulica, and Grus ; but on 

 turning to read his conclusions, we find from a correction- 

 slip inserted at the beginning of the paper, that, through 

 some mistake by an accidental exchange of MSS. pages, 

 those given here do not represent his present views, which 

 are to be found in a previous paper on the relationship of 

 Aramus, published in the August number of the same 

 journal. As we have not seen this earlier paper, we are 

 unable to give Dr. Shufeldt's final ideas on this point. 



Bird Notes. 



[Bird Notes, the Journal of the Foreign Bird Club. Edited by 

 Wesley T. Page. Vol. vi. 12 nos,, Jan.-Dec, 1915.] 



It is certainly a remarkable fact that the enthusiasm of 

 the votaries of aviculture in this country is able to support 

 in a flourishing condition two monthly journals ; nor do the 

 number of the articles or the size of the numbers appear 

 to have suff'ered any diminution through the war. In the 

 matter of coloured plates, however, there seems to be some 

 economy. The present volume contains two only, one by 

 Goodchild of Munia igneotincta, and another of the Brown- 

 backed Indian Robin Thamnobia cambaiensis. 



There are a number of articles on methods of aviculture, 

 plans of aviaries, and other practical matters, especially in 

 a series by the editor, " Visits to Members' Aviaries and 

 Bird-rooms," and also a good many notices of the breeding 

 of rare species in captivity, in several cases for the first time. 

 IVIr. R. Suggit writes on Ortalis vetula and Spermophila 



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