Recent Literature. 



99 



than usually numerous in Cambridge, Belmont, and other inland 

 towns. This fact may have no real significance, but if we 

 assume that v^. holboelli is chiefly a littoral form, there is less 

 difficulty in understanding why it has so generally escaped 

 notice, for, until very recently, our sea-coast has been rarely 

 visited by collectors during the winter months. Still the bird 

 does occur far inland, for Dr. Merriam writes me that it visits 

 Lewis County, New York, and Mr. Maynard has some typical 

 examples from Minnesota. Perhaps, as with the Lapland Long- 

 spur, there is a case of partially interrupted distribution to be 

 made out ; at all events it must now be formally entered in the 

 books as an irregular but sometimes abundant winter visitor to 

 New England, as far south at least as Massachusetts. We fear 

 such notoriety will scarcely be to the little stranger's advantage 

 in these day's of active collecting. 



The British Museum Catalogue of Birds. — Since our last notice 

 of this work (see this Bulletin, Vol. Ill, April, 1878, pp. 77-79) three 

 additional volumes* have appeared, narhelj, Volumes IV, V, and VI. 

 Volume IV, like the previous volumes, is bj Mr. Sharpe, as is also volume 

 VI, while volume V is the work of Mr. Seebohm. Volume IV is devoted 

 to the two families Campophagidce and MusctcapidcE, both composed ex- 

 clusively of Old World forms. Of the CampofhagidcB 14S species are 

 described, of the Muscicafidce., 391. In style of treatment and general 

 character this volume is similar to the earlier ones, already noticed at some 

 length in this Bulletin. 



Volume V, by Mr. Seebohm, is devoted to the Ttirdidce, as this group 

 is defined in Mr. Sharpe's scheme of classification, with limits rather dif- 



* Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum. Vol. IV. Catalogue of the Passer- 

 iformes, or Perching Birds, in the British Museum. Cichlomorphse : Part I, containing 

 the families Campophagidae and Muscicapidae. By R. Bowdler Sharpe, London, 1879. 

 8vo, pp. xvi-(-494, pll. xiv. Vol. V. Catalogue of the Passeriformes, or Perching Birds 

 in the British Museum. Cichlomorphas : Part II, containing the family Turdidas, 

 (Warblers and Thrushes). By Henry Seebohm, London, 1881. 8vo, pp. xvi+426, 

 pll. xviii. Vol. VL Catalogue of the Passeriformes, or Perching Birds, in the collection 

 of the British Museum. Cichlomorphse : Part III, containing the first portion of the 

 family Timeliidas (Babbling Thrushes). By R. Bowdler Sharpe. London, 188 1. 8vo, 

 pp. xiii-t-420, pll. xviii. 



