196 



Recent Literature. [April 



The author displays much conservatism, both in respect to the admis- 

 sion of alleged stragglers, and in the matter of subspecies. Thus a num- 

 ber of North American species often entered in British lists are ruled out 

 on the ground that the specimens taken were in all probability escaped 

 cage-birds, or "assisted" wanderers, or as "not likely to be genuine visi- 

 tors." His position on the question of races is shown by his treatment 

 of the British Tits, in several of which he admits the existence of "cli- 

 matic races." but declines to give them recognition in nomenclature. 



Three maps accompany this excellent work. The first is a 'Bathv-oro- 

 graphical map of the British Isles and surrounding seas'; the second is a 

 map of Europe, also bathy-orographical, and the third is a 'North Polar 

 Chart,' useful as showing the range of birds breeding in the Arctic 

 regions. — J. A. A. 



Notes on Sport and Ornithology.* — His Imperial and Royal Highness, 

 the late Crown Prince Rudolf, of Austria, was well known for his 

 enthusiastic interest in ornithology. His 'Notes on Sport and Orni- 

 thology' is a series of pleasantly written sketches of ornithological expedi- 

 tions, followed by a number of more formal ornithological papers. The first 

 of these sketches is entitled, 'Fifteen Days on the Danube,' and occupies 

 the first 227 pages of the book. Accompanying the Prince on this journey 

 were, among others, the late Dr. Eugen von Homever, the younger 

 Brehm, Hodek, father and son, and other more or less well-known natur- 

 alists and sportsmen, besides a retinue of hunters, guides and valets. 

 The trip was made in the steamer 'Vienna,' which left Pesth with the party 

 on the 22d of April, 187S. The special object of the journey was the 

 solution of the question of whether the 'Stein' and Golden Eagles were 

 or were not distinct species. The narrative here given recounts in a 

 delightful way the experiences and successes of each day's hunt, giving 

 incidentally a graphic picture of the low, somewhat marshy forests of the 

 lower Danube, and their feathered inhabitants. Eagles and Vultures, and 

 the larger birds of prey generally, together with Cormorants, Storks, and 

 Herons, were the chief objects of quest, the smaller birds coming in for 

 only a small share of attention. Among the ornithological results of the 

 expedition were 9 Vultures, 29 Eagles, 24 Hawks, 8 Cormorants, 12 Storks, 

 1 ^ Herons, and various smaller birds, the total numbering over 200 speci- 

 mens and about 70 species. Much interesting information is given 

 respecting the habits of many of the species mentioned, particularly of 

 the Vultures and Eagles. 



Next follow 'Extracts from a Journey in the East' (pp. 229-390), describ- 

 ing an ornithological trip in Lower Egypt and in Palestine, made in 

 February, March, and April, 1S81. The narrative is replete with interest- 



*Notes I on | Sport and Ornithology | by [ His Imperial and Royal Highness the 

 late C'rown Prince | Rudolf of Austria. | Translated, with the Author's permission, by C. 

 G. Danforth. | [Monogram.] London : | Gurney and Jackson, | Paternoster Row. | 

 (Successors to Mr, Van Voorst.) | 1889 — Svo. pp. viii + 648. 



