352 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
wherein all the birds mentioned in the text are coloured with a 
softness and fidelity to nature which at once commends them to 
the critical eye of the ornithologist. The figures are rather small, 
perhaps, but they convey an accurate idea of form and colour, if 
not always of relative size; and the possessor of any European 
bird-skin could not fail to identify the species from the plates, 
even if he had not the letterpress to assist him. In addition to the 
scientific names and synonyms, the name of each species is given 
in German and French, followed by a description of the species 
and a brief account of haunts and habits. 
We are not sure about the cost of the work in England, but 
Messrs. Triibner & Co., who are the agents for the sale in this 
country, can supply information on this point, and will no doubt 
be glad to show a copy to any one desirous of inspecting it. 
The Zoological Record; being Vol. XII. of the ‘ Record of Zoolo- 
gical Literature.’ Edited by E. C. Rye, F.Z.S., M.E.S., &c. 
8vo, pp. 592. 1877. London: Van Voorst. 
THE aim and scope of this useful annual cannot be too widely made 
known. To those who are unacquainted with its nature it may be 
described as a book of reference for working zoologists, containing, 
in the shape of an aunual volume, a complete index to the zoological 
literature of the year preceding that of its publication. No matter 
what branch of Zoology the reader may be interested in, he has 
only to turn to the proper page to ascertain all that has been 
written on that particular subject during the previous year, in- 
cluding notices not only of separate volumes, but even of essays 
and articles from every zoological journal of note. 
Nor is it a mere index; for short abstracts of the more im- 
portant publications are given, and the general scope of each 
article is indicated. To working zoologists the ‘ Record’ is espe- 
cially useful, as facilitating research and directing attention to 
recently published works and essays, both English and foreign, 
which bear upon the particular subject they may have in hand. 
The volume closes with an index to the new genera and subgenera 
which have been described in the course of the year. 
