34 THE AUSTRAL AVIAN RECORD [Vol. II. 



to Birds ..." (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., Vol. XXXV., 

 pp. 583-655, 1908). 



It might thus appear that the following notes would 

 be superfluous, but inasmuch as we did not feel that 

 everything had been explained in the places noted, 

 and as we know others have been in the same predica- 

 ment, we offer them without further apology. 



We find the book to be a small duodecimo, the 

 title-page reading : " Synopsis /Faunae Scandinavise/ 

 Tom I, pars 2. Aves. Holmiae, 1828." The Author's 

 name is not given, the probable reason being that this 

 is " pars 2." 



No preface or introduction is given, and 208 pages 

 follow. At the end there are three tables which have 

 at the foot — "A. ante pag. 1. B. ante pag. 1. C. 

 ante pag. 1." 



We propose to deal with these tables before commenting 

 on the 208 pages of text. 



Table A is headed : " Conspectus Classis Avium 

 universalis, secundum," and is the most important 

 to extra-Palsearctic workers. 



An entirely novel classification appears to be provided 

 in this table, the class Aves being divided into three 

 Subclasses, these being further subdivided into Ordines, 

 Tribus, Nationes, and Genera. The systematic manner 

 in which these divisions are named is somewhat remark- 

 able, the subclasses all ending in — ornithes, the Orders 

 in — ^podse, the tribes in — ^rhamphse, and the famihes 

 in — ^ides. This shows that Billberg's work was metho- 

 ical, and it is carefully done. 



The three Subclasses are named Geornithes, Actior- 

 nithes and, Hydrornithes. The first named is divided 

 into three Orders : Trechopodce, Elazopodce, and 

 Anecopodoe : the second also into three Orders Thas- 

 sopodce, Neopodce, and Pteropodce : the last again into 

 three Orders — Pygopodce, Isorrhopodce, and Holopodw. 

 To each of these a diagnostic sentence is added : this 

 is worth noting as it shows that Billberg was a 



( 



