Recent Oi'nithological Publications. 221 



of the book now reveals itself; but it would still be very prema- 

 ture to speak of it as a whole. After a chapter of general con- 

 siderations, we have one containing the author^s preliminary 

 notions of the osteology of birds. This chapter is divided into 

 sections, each treating of the bones of one portion of the ske- 

 leton — the leg, trunk, wing, and head respectively. Then begins 

 the real business of the work with a chapter devoted to the os- 

 teological characters of the family of " Palmipedes lamelliros- 

 tres,^^ or, as we should say, AnatidcB. The arrangement of the 

 subject in the sections just mentioned is here again followed, 

 most conveniently for comparison of results ; and this is suc- 

 ceeded by a description of the fossil species belonging to the fa- 

 mily, first those of the tertiary epoch, and next those of the so- 

 called " quaternary." None of these last differ from those now 

 inhabiting France, though there is reason to suppose that the 

 more peculiarly northern forms were then more abundant than 

 now; but of the tertiary species, besides those mentioned in 

 our former notice, remains of three others. Anas consobrina, A. 

 natator, and A. robusta, are figured and described. We have 

 then a chapter treating of fossil birds probably allied to the 

 Anatidce ; and here M. Milne-Edwards lodges the celebrated gi- 

 gantic Gastornis parisiensis, about which so many opposite opi- 

 nions have been held. Its exact position must remain in doubt 

 imtil more relics of it are discovered. But our author concludes 

 that it was incapable of flight, though probably a swimmer, 

 M. Milne-Edwards next passes to the" Palmipedes totipalmes," 

 in the treatment of which the same admirably clear arrangement 

 is pursued. Here we have figured and described, as new species 

 of the tertiary epoch, Pelecanus gracilis, Graculus miocanus, G. 

 littoralis, G. intermedins, and Sula arvernensis, while in the midst 

 of the account of S. ronzonii (Gervais) the letterpress of the work 

 at present stops. Besides these species, figures are also given of 

 remains of Pelagornis miocanus from the Armagnac, Graculus 

 carbo from Grays, in Essex, and, from the Allier, Cuhjmboides 

 minutus, " oiseau fossile, voisin des Plongeurs," Larus desnorjersi, 

 L. elegans, L. totanoides, and Hrjdrornis natator (Aymard) , de- 

 scriptions of which we may shortly expect in the continuation of 

 the work. 



