98 Recent Ornithological Publications. 



instance, in the present case of Oi^ites, it might be plansibly 

 urged that the entirely different application of the term by 

 Keyserling and Blasius would cause "material inconvenience" 

 and " risk of confusion." But the inconvenience and confusion 

 in ornithology that would arise from the adoption of all Moh- 

 ring's generic names can hardly be exaggerated; and we think 

 we have every reason to thank the framers of the British Asso- 

 ciation Rules for their consideration to naturalists of the present 

 day by disallowing the names of Mohring and other writers 

 prior to 1766. The practical advantage of justice to the living- 

 is infinitely preferable to the sentimental dread of injustice to 

 the dead. — Ed. 



X. — Recent Ornithological Publications. 

 1. English. 

 Dr. Jerdon has completed his great work on the 'Birds of 

 India ^*, by the publication of the Second part of his Second 

 volume, or, as he now terms it, his Third volume. We have 

 accordingly to tender him our most hearty thanks for the admi- 

 rable manual thus placed at our disposal. The dawn of Indian 

 ornithology has been long in breaking ; we may now say safely 

 that the sun has fairly risen, and, in the broad light shed by Dr. 

 Jerdon^s work, students and observers in India will have most 

 abundant facilities of continuing their labours. We shall not 

 presume to make any critical remarks on the volume before us ; 

 for we hope shortly to have it in our power to present our readers 

 with a Commentary on the whole work from a pen entitled to 

 write on the subject with no brief authority. 



The Fifth and Sixth parts of Mr. Gould's magnificent ' Birds 

 of Great Britain ' have made their appearance. In spite of its 

 high price, this work seems likely to become a most popular 

 one on the subject. The contents of these two parts are as 

 follows :^— 



* The Birds of India: &c. By T. C. Jerdon, Surgeon-Major. In 

 three volumes. Vol. III. Calcutta (G. Wyman and Co.) : 1864. (London, 

 Smith and Elder.) 



