NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 371 
distinct such forms, for example, as Campylopterus obscurus, 
Gould, which we cannot but regard as a mere variety of Campy- 
lopterus largipennis, Boddaert. 
Mr. Elliot recognises 120 different genera, and deems it 
inexpedient to adopt any division into subfamilies. In his 
Preface he says :— 
“ Generic division has been carried probably to a greater extreme among 
these birds than in any other group known in Ornithology, and there 
remains but comparatively few species that have not been made to stand, 
at one time or another, as the representative of some so-considered distinct 
generic form. In the present ‘Synopsis’ the recognition of genera has 
been carried to the farthest limit that seemed practicable, and in every 
case it has been attempted to give structural characters for the genera 
which have been acknowledged. Of course to those ornithologists who 
consider that colour of plumage is sufficient to establish ‘genera,’ my 
treatment will not be acceptable, but in this ‘ family,’ at least, where it is 
not infrequently observed that individuals of the same species vary from 
each other in the hues of their plumage to a great degree, colour unsupported 
cannot be regarded as worthy of any consideration as a ‘ generic’ character, 
and if structural ones exist sufficient for the establishment of a genus, then 
the hue of the plumage is immaterial.” 
Mr. Elliot’s arrangement of the species, we observe, is different 
from all those heretofore proposed. It is by no means fanciful, 
however, but has been arrived at by a careful comparison of the 
species described, 380 of which, out of 426, are represented by 
specimens in Mr. Elliot’s collection; while of the remaining ones, 
with but few exceptions, he has examined the types. 
The descriptions given are concise, considerable assistance 
being afforded by the “ Key to the species” of each genus, and 
the outline engravings of the more important portions of the 
structure relied on for the establishment of the genera. 
We have thus a very concise and well-digested ‘Synopsis’ of 
the Trochilide, which will be consulted with satisfaction by all 
who desire information on this very attractive, but very puzzling, 
group of birds. 
It is not to be supposed, nor does Mr. Elliot profess, that it 
is complete ; for many of the species described by him are still 
very imperfectly known, and we have yet a good deal to learn 
about their habits, nidification, and geographical distribution, so 
many of the rarer forms having been received from collectors 
