EXTRACTS FROM REVIEWS. 



account of this ornithic fauna, which, in zoological interest, 



is not excelled by that of any other country 



There can be no doubt that Dr. Buller, well known in 

 Europe by his preliminary ornithological publications, is 

 eminently qualified to fulfil thrs task. His long residence 

 in the colony and his official position have given him rare 

 opportunities of making observations and collecting mate- 

 rials ; and by a lengthened visit to England he has derived 

 the great advantages of studying typical examples and of 

 availing himself of that typographic and artistic skill in 

 which this country excels. To judge by the first part 

 issued, Dr. Buller has succeeded in producing a work of 

 real excellence. The text is clear, instructive, and not 

 overloaded with unnecessary detail ; while the illustrations 

 are beautiful and life-like." — The Academy. 



" New Zealand may be congratulated on having out- 

 stripped the other colonies in the race for scientific honours. 

 Even Canada, with all the resources at her command, has 

 produced nothing at all comparable with the ' Transactions 

 of the New-Zealand Institute.' Now we have before us 

 something of a far more ambitious kind — namely, a com- 

 plete life-history of the birds of New Zealand, adapted to 

 the present advanced state of ornithological science, and 



most beautifully illustrated with coloured plates 



The descriptive part of the text is very carefully worked 

 out, both in English and Latin ; and the history of each 

 species is given in the most complete and exhaustive 

 manner. The plates are extremely beautiful, and are ren- 

 dered more attractive by the introduction of botanical 

 accessories, representing the indigenous flora of the country. 

 The volume, when complete, will not only be a valuable 

 contribution to scientific literature, but will be an elegant 

 drawing-room companion ; for, to adopt the language of a 



leading scientific journal respecting it, ' the plates are as 

 beautiful in execution as the text is excellent in quality.' " 

 — Home News. 



" The lamentable way in which the indigenous birds are 

 expiring in that country before the progress of civilization 

 and other natural causes, has rendered it a necessity that 

 a work should be prepared that will rescue from oblivion 

 the feathered denizens of those places which in a short 

 lapse of time ' shall know them no more.' This it has 

 fallen to Dr. Buller's lot to accomplish ; and it were small 

 praise indeed to say that his task is executed in an admir- 

 able manner. Few ornithological works that have been 

 written come up to the standard of the subject of this 

 notice ; and none have yet surpassed it, nor will it be pos- 

 sible to do so. Certainly the author brings to his aid un- 

 usual advantages ; but even these might fail in the hands 

 of a less conscientious person than Dr. Buller has shown 



himself to be In the part now before us the 



history is given of thirteen birds, ten of which are figured ; 

 and this brings us down to the end of Accljntres, Psittaei, 



and Picarice No one since the time of the late 



Professor Macgillivray has so successfully combined the 

 two branches of cabinet and field ornithology as Dr. Buller ; 

 and his experiences, and those of his numerous coadjutors, 

 are told in a pleasing and instructive manner, which cannot 

 fail to interest and amuse his readers. Indeed it is seldom 

 that we have seen a book which so thoroughly calls for 



unqualified praise as the present We have only, 



in conclusion, to perform the pleasing duty of offering our 

 congratulations to the inhabitants of New Zealand on their 

 possession of so distinguished a naturalist as Dr. Buller, 

 and to the author on the complete success with which his 

 arduous task promises to be crowned.' - — European Mail. 



