Notices of New Books , etc.



IOI



orange on side of head ” as stated by Cory (cf. Ridgway, 4< Birds

of North and Middle America,” vol. IV., p. 288) owing to its

introduction into Porto Rico. I have seen hundreds of African

females, but in every one the orange patch was present, though

slightly less intense than in the males. Shelley recognises no

difference whatever.


Part III.—on Sporadic Melanism, is for the most part a

record of the opinions of various aviculturists respecting melanism

as observed in cage-birds, and is illustrated by our Editor’s

charming plate of Munict castaueithorax and M. flaviprymna with

intergrades.


Parts IV. and V. are perhaps the most fascinating of all

the chapters, but unhappily I cannot afford space to review them

in detail. They show the marvellous effects produced upon three

species of American birds by subjecting them to a moist atmos¬

phere : the changes from light to dark plumage are admirably

shown by photographs.


In Scardafella inca, after three months in a superhumid

atmosphere, the plumage was far more heavily variegated with

black than in typical wild A. ridgzuayi. But I must not further

prolong this notice, but would once more strongly recommend

all those interested in evolution to get it and read it thoughtfully.


A. G. Butler.



Notes on The Birds oe Kent, by R. J. BadsTon, D.L., &c. ; Rev. C. W.

Shepherd, M.A., &c., and PI. Bartdett, F.Z.S. With nine plates

and a map; 465 pp. (R. H. PORTER, 1907).


While various more or less incomplete general works are

appearing from time to time upon the Birds of the British Islands,

it is refreshing to come across a really careful collation and

review of what has been published respecting the avifauna of a

single county, by three fully competent ornithologists.


Even to those who are more or less familiar with the birds

of Kent, it is a surprise to discover how rich in bird-life this

county is, and how many species have been recorded as breed¬

ing therein. It was news to me that the Redwing had even been

reported to breed in Kent, and still more that the statement had

been confirmed by a writer to the Zoologist-, but when one man



