STRAY FEATHERS. 



Vol. II.] JANUARY, 1874. [No. 1. 



"§u pppien.*" ^*V»*3^ 



Owing to the eccentricities of my booksellers I have only 

 recently obtained a copy of my friend Dr. Finsch's great work, 

 the Monograph, of the Parrots. It never rains but it pours, and 

 after waiting more than two years for a single copy, I received 

 two by post, by two successive mails. Postage to India on large 

 books like these comes rather heavy, and after a brief examina- 

 tion of the work, I am bound to confess to a feeling, that I 

 could have dispensed very well with a second post copy of it. 



I have not yet had time to study this elaborate work as it, 

 doubtless, deserves, but I have read carefully all that is stated 

 in regard to one genus fPalaornisJ with many of the members 

 of which I am, tant soit pent, familiar, and I can only say that 

 if the rest of the genera are treated as infelicitously as this one, 

 then I shall hope to see the learned author live to produce a 

 second, and most materially revised edition. 



As an Index of synonymes, and a work of reference in regard 

 to nomenclature, Die Papageien, will always be most valuable. 

 The minute and careful measurements and descriptions of every 

 species, merit our cordial acknowledgments, while the industry 

 and erudition which has characterized Dr. Finsch's researches 

 into all that has been recorded in regard to this fascinating 

 family, compel our admiration, even if it excite a sadder feeling 

 when we have to consider how he has utilized the materials he 

 has thus accumulated. 



I have only, as already stated, scrutinized closely his treat- 

 ment of the single well known genus Palaornis, but this 

 discloses an amount of error scarcely credible in such a work. 

 Error too entirely gratuitous, and created by the author him- 



* Die Papageien, Monographisch bearbeitet von Dr. Otto Finsch. Leiden. 

 E. J. Brill., 1868. 



