Recently published Ornithological Works. 487 
59. Dresser’s * Eggs of the Birds of Europe. 
[Eggs of the Birds of Europe, including all Species inhabiting the 
Western Palearctic Area. By H. E. Dresser. Pts. VII, VIII. May 
1907. Pp. 213-288; 8 pls.] 
These two parts of Mr. Dresser’s work, which are issued 
simultaneously, are concerned with the genera Accentor, 
Panurus, Acredula, Parus, Lophophanes, Afgithalus, Sitta, 
Certhia, Tichodroma, Troglodytes, Motacilla, Anthus, Pycno- 
notus, Oriolus, and Lanius. Under each head the author 
enumerates the various subspecies which have been proposed 
and comments on their validity, while also discussing the 
proper generic name. Perhaps his treatment of the forms 
of Acredula, Parus, and Lanius is the most worthy of 
attention, while the nesting-habits of the different species of 
Nuthatch are the most interesting of the details. Parus sali- 
carius (=borealis) is accepted as breeding in Great Britain, 
but Troglodytes hirtensis of St. Kilda does not meet with 
recognition. It may be true that the Grey Wagtail has two 
broods in the season, but we should like to be sure that 
the later nests are not merely those of birds who have met 
with some mishap in their earlier attempts, as, from our 
experience, belated nests are extremely rare. 
The plates come out extremely well and, as a rule, give a 
good idea of the variation of colour in the eggs, but in Parus 
palustris, Certhia familiaris, Hirundo rustica, Coccothraustes 
vulgaris, and some other cases there is a slight deficiency 
in this respect. 
Pleasing woodcuts are given of the nests of many species, 
though, as is so often the case, they frequently give an 
incorrect impression of the surroundings. 
Besides the eggs of species mentioned in the text, figures 
are given of those of Cisticola, Scotocerca, Prinia, Telephonus, 
Ampelis, Muscicaya, Hirundo, Chelidon, Cotile, Carduelis, 
Chrysomitris, Serinus, Ligurinus, Passer, Petronia, and 
Coccothraustes. 
