I920.] Recently piiblhhed Ornitliohigicul Works. 951 



Streseniann and Sachtlebcn on the Willow-Tit. 



[Ueber die europaischen Mattknpl'ineisen (Gruppe l\ntfs ((hicapillvs). 

 Von E. Streseinaim unci H. Saclitleben. Verliaiidl. Oni. (io. Bnyerii, 

 xiv. 1920, pp. 228-269.] 



Messrs. Stresemann and Saclitlehen have prepared an 

 elaljorate memoir of the various races of tlie Willow-Tit 

 fouiul throughout Euro])e. Following Dr. Hartert they 

 regard these raees as subspccifie forms of the American 

 Chickadee {Pai'us atricajjillm) found throughout the gi'catcr 

 part o£ North America, and as cpiite distinct specifically from 

 the Marsh-Tit (^Fariis paiastns), which superficially it so 

 closely resembles, 



After commenting on the distribution of the species in 

 its widest extent, its lelation to P. palustris, its plumage 

 development, sexual diflfereutiation, and the variation caused 

 by climatic conditions, the authors recognize seven dis- 

 tinguishable European races. A good summary of the 

 conclusions and results oi the investigation conclude an 

 iuteresting-j thoughtful, and thorough piece of work. 



WitJierby's Handbook of British Birds. 



[A practical Handbook of Britidi Birds. Edited by II. F. Witlierby. 

 Vol. i. pp. xvi + 532, 17 pis. and numerous text Hgures. London 

 (Witlierby), 1919-1920, 8vo.] 



We must heartily corigiatulate Mr. Witlierby and his 

 band of helpers^ Dr. Hartert, Miss Jackson, the Rev. 

 F. C. R. Jourdain, BIr. Oldham, and Dr. Norman Tice- 

 hurst, on the completion of the first volume of the Practical 

 Handbook. 



On all sides it appears to be recognized that it contains a 

 vast amount of reliable information packed into a compara- 

 tively small compass, and that it fills a distinct want. The 

 first part issued was noticed in the Api'il 'Ibis^ of last 

 year (p. 351), and we do not therefore propose in the 

 present volume to add much to what we there wrote. 



The classification adopted, for which no doubt Dr. Hartert 

 is responsible though it is not so stated officially, follows 

 that of the ' Vogel palilarktischen Fauna/ and the Flycatchers, 



