Recently published Ornithological Works. 1.25 



concludes with a general synopsis of the system ultimately 

 adopted, which is slightly modified from that of the same 

 author published in 1892 (P. Z. S. 1892, pp. 222-256). We 

 advise all ornithologists to buy this book and study it. It 

 contains a well-arrauged mass of useful information on 

 " Aves,^' which can hardly be got at elsewhere. 



4. Gurney on an Immigration of the Lapland Bunting. 



[An Immigration of the Lapland ^unim^ {Calcarius lapponicus, Linn.). 

 By J. H. Gurney, F.L.S., &c. Trans. Norf. & Norw. Nat. Soc. v. 

 p. 372.] 



The Lapland Bunting [Calcarius lapponicus^ came to 

 Norfolk and other eastern counties of England in flocks in 

 September and October, 1892. Fifty-six, if not more, were 

 taken on the coast near Yarmouth, and others at Cley and in 

 other places. The sexes were nearly equal in numbers, the 

 males preponderating a little. Mr. Gurney gives us full 

 particulars of this unprecedented irruption of a species 

 hitherto reckoned amongst the stragglers. 



5. Hasbrouck on Dichromatism in Megascops. 



[Evolution and Dicliromatism in the Genus Megascops. By E. M. 

 Hasbrouck. Amer. Nat. xxvii. p. 52L] 



Mr. Hasbrouck attacks the formidable problem of dichro- 

 matism, which, as is generally known, is well exemplified in 

 certain Owls of the genus Scops. He gives us an excellent 

 disquisition on the subject, fully illustrated by tables, maps, 

 and diagrams. 



Mr. Hasbrouck attempts to show, first, that while the red, 

 the grey, and the intermediate phases of Megascops asio are 

 at present but individual variations of the same species, the 

 grey was the ancestral stock ; secondly, that from the grey 

 form has evolved the red, which at some future time will be a 

 recognized subspecies, with a range peculiar to itself ; thirdly, 

 that this condition of affairs is influenced by four powerful 

 factors (two of these, temperature and humidity, being 

 dominant powers in geographical distribution), the most 



