36 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
reason of the great labour entailed in satisfactorily working out 
the small passerine birds, especially in the case of such difficult 
groups as the Wagtails, Pipits, and Linnets, where a nice dis- 
crimination of species and a careful comparison of authorities on 
the subject of geographical distribution has obviously necessitated 
a vast expenditure of time and trouble. Now that the Editor has 
almost completed this troublesome portion of the work, we may 
hopefully look for a more rapid issue of succeeding parts. 
On glancing through the number before us, we find that much 
new matter has been introduced, even in the case of very common 
species. It would scarcely have been supposed that so universally 
distributed a bird as the common House Sparrow could be anywhere 
unknown in England, and yet we find the observation (at p. 94, 
note) that Mr. Rowe states that at Shepstor, a moorland village in 
Devon, the Sparrow is never seen. The Editor adds that this is 
the sole exception to its universal distribution in England known 
to him. 
Throughout the whole of the palzarctic region this ubiquitous 
bird has been found, penetrating Siberia, and extending its range 
across the Asiatic continent as far northward as lat. 61° N., and as 
far to the east as the confluence of the Shilka and Argun. If the 
Sparrow of India be not a distinct species, as we believe it is not, 
we may trace our old friend from Yarkand to Siam and Ceylon. 
Unable, apparently, to thrive anywhere away from human habita- 
tion, “it keeps extending its area as desert countries are settled 
by man, being dependent on him for its living.” “Thus,” says 
Professor Newton, “the questions are opened whether it should 
not be regarded as a parasite throughout the greater part of its 
present range, and what should be deemed its native country. 
These are points which seem never to have been discussed, but 
for all that are none the less worthy of consideration.” 
The Hawfinch, so long described by ornithologists as an 
accidental visitor, is now known to inhabit various parts of 
England in considerable numbers, and is believed to be increasing 
year by year (p. 98). The seed of the hornbeam is said to be a 
favourite morsel with this bird, “ but it also feeds on the kernels of 
haws, laurels, plums and other stone-fruits, and in summer makes 
great havock amongst green pease” (p. 99). 
The Serin Finch, not mentioned in previous editions of the 
present work, is now included and figured ; the increased attention 
