Recent Ornithological Prihlicalions. Ill 



all deference to the author, that we think he is entirely mis- 

 taken in placing tlic genera Coracias, Brachyjderacias and Eiiry- 

 stomus in the same group with the Corvidce and Orialida — them- 

 selves perhaps not very nearly related ; and we suspect that such 

 a classification will satisfy few ornithologists nowadays. Ci/ano- 

 corax bellus (p. 50) is, as we are informed by Mr. Sclater, speci- 

 fically identical with P/cw mystacalis, Geoffroy (Mag. Zool. 1835, 

 pi. 34), and is the Cyanocorax uroleucus of Heine (J. f. 0. 1860, 

 p. 115). Prof. Schlegel gives no reason for assigning it a new 

 name. Holding the opinions as to specific identity which he is 

 known to do, it is not a matter of surprise to us to find that he 

 "lumps" together the eastern Cyanopica cyanea with the western 

 C. cooki, nor the Syrian Garrulus inelanocephalus with the Alge- 

 rian G. cervicalis, though he allows, by the way, G. krynicki to be 

 distinct. Mr. Tristram has hi this Journal (Ibis, 18G6, pp. 61, 

 62) so perspicuously shown the diagnostic characters of these 

 last three forms, as well as how the confusion in their nomen- 

 clature arose, that we cannot but think it is highly advisable to 

 keep them separated. Speaking of the Blue Magpies, Prof. 

 Schlegel admits that the differences between them are " bonnes 

 h, indiquer/' though he considers them " de trop peu d'impor- 

 tance pour autoriser la separation specifique de ces oiseaux." 

 Will he kindly tell us what diiFerences are sufficient for his pur- 

 pose ? We can assure him that we, and a good many other orni- 

 tiiologists also, shall gladly receive any such information as will 

 enable us to draw a " a hard and fast line" between two nearly 

 allied species. Meanwhile we think we must be content with 

 constant differentice, even if they are but slight ; and if they be 

 coupled with distinctness of habitat, we must not only be con- 

 tent but gratefully receive them as specific characters. 



Among his Urinatores, Prof. Sclilegel, following the usual ar- 

 rangement, places Heliornis, including Podoa and Podica. This 

 is an assignment to which we must demur. Dr. Jerdon men- 

 tions (B. Ind. iii. p. 721) that the skeleton is quite that of the 

 Rallidce ', while the opinions of Mr. Blyth and Col. Tickell 

 (J. A. S. B. xxviii. pp. 415 and 455) — the latter of extreme value 

 as embodying the author's experience of the habits of Podica 

 personata — point to the same alliance. 



