292 Recently published Ornithological Works. 



(i typicus" to the name of the type-species, when it is required, 

 to this alliterative system, and to call it Corvus cor ax 

 typicus. At times Mr. Hartert's plan results in such mon- 

 strosities as " Pica pica pica " and " Oriolus oriolus oriolus,'' 

 and becomes almost ridiculous. 



Another point in nomenclature on which it is not possible 

 to follow Mr. Hartert is that he boldy disregards the rules 

 of the Latin Grammar, and in spite of its precepts refuses 

 to make his adjectives agree with his substantives in gender. 

 Thus we have such names as Pica pica hudsonius, Uragus 

 sibirica lepidus, and Erythrospiza mongolians. Surely the 

 ordinary rules of grammar should not be set aside in favour 

 a newly-invented version of the " laws of priority " ! We 

 make such remarks with regret, and we are well aware that 

 Mr. Hartert has able supporters with the same views ; but 

 we think it quite time that a protest should be made against 

 such doctrines of " priority at any price," which are now 

 being preached in America and in this country. 



In the present (first) part of Mr. Hartert's work, which 

 contains 112 pages, 181 species and subspecies are included. 

 After an abbreviated synonymy (which, however, always 

 contains a precise reference to the original descriptions), 

 short characters, a summary of the range, an account of the 

 breeding-habits, and other particulars are given. Of the 

 181 species and subspecies 143 have three names provided 

 for them, and 11 species have two. A large number of the 

 species reduced to trinomials are such as many other authors 

 would consider full species — e. g., Corvus corax tingitanus, 

 Corvus comix capellanus, Pica pica nuttalli, Nucifraga cari/o- 

 catact.es multipunctata, and Oriolus oriolus kundoo. But it 

 is an unquestionable fact that many representative species 

 (which our author seems always inclined to lower into sub- 

 species) have stronger distinctive characters than others 

 which are universally granted specific rank. Consider the 

 four species of Bell-birds, Chasmorhynchus, which are no 

 doubt descendants of a common parent, yet are absolutely 

 distinguished by salient characters of structure. 



Thirteen new subspecies are characterized for the first 



