156 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 
A Last of European Birds, including all Species found in the 
Western Palearctic Region. The Nomenclature carefully 
revised by Henry EK. Dressup, F.L.S., F.Z.8., &e. 8vo, 
pp. 40. London: published by the Author at 6, Tenterden 
Street, Hanover Square. 1881. 
Wr rejoice to see that Mr. Dresser has completed his labours 
in writing a ‘History of the Birds of Europe’ by publishing a 
convenient list of the species described and figured in that work. 
Regarding the form in which the list is presented, it is impossible 
for the critic to be otherwise than complimentary ; the pamphlet 
is of a handy size, and the typography and paper are alike 
excellent. The plan of leaving the right half of each page blank 
makes the list equally available for labels and for notes. 
The first thing that will strike the majority of readers will no 
doubt be the novelty of the systematic arrangement. When 
such a step in scientific advancement as Mr. Dresser has here 
made is taken in a popular work, it behoves a reviewer to ignore 
captious criticism, and to devote his alloted space to help in 
making clear the reasons for such a radical innovation. 
Now it is unfortunate that Mr. Dresser states in his Introduc- 
tion that he has followed Professor Huxley’s classification ; he has 
indeed followed his principles, but we doubt whether Professor 
Huxley would, without this remark, have been at once struck 
with their paternity. The history of the matter is somewhat in 
this wise. In April, 1867, Prof. Huxley read a paper before the 
Zoological Society of London ‘On the Classification of Birds ; 
and on the Taxonomic Value of the Modifications of certain of the 
Cranial Bones observable in that Class.”” Some of his conclusions 
were modified subsequently (P. Z. §., May 14, 1868), and Prof. 
Parker has suggested further modifications which more extended 
research has shown to be necessary; but the main points of the 
revolution he inaugurated remain to this day unimpugned. 
Ornithologists—at least those who are mainly concerned in 
observing the phases of bird-life, apart from comparative 
zoological considerations—have been slow to take in the value 
of Prof. Huxley’s conclusions, and Messrs. Sclater and Salvin 
