472 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



seems to us, there is room for emendation, let us refer to some of 

 the merits of the work, which far outweigh the faults, — if 

 such they may be called, — to which we have directed attention. 

 There are many articles of an encyclopedic character, of the 

 value of which it would be impossible to speak too highly. They 

 are full of information, clearly and concisely written, and so far 

 as they go extremely accurate. What more can be said ? We 

 would especially refer to the articles, Anatomy, Brain, Digestive 

 System, Eggs, Embryology, Extermination, Feathers, Fossil 

 Birds, Geographical Distribution and Migration ; and as regards 

 particular species, to Avocet, Bird of Paradise, Bustard, Crane, 

 Dodo, Emeu* Gare-fowl, Lark, and Megapode, all admirable 

 examples of accurate and condensed information. 



Professor Newton has been singularly fortunate in his coad- 

 jutors, and their names as given on the title-page, above quoted, 

 are a sufficient guarantee of the value of their contributions. In 

 particular we would remark that Mr. Lydekker's article on 

 Fossil Birds has supplied a gap in ornithological literature which 

 has long been too apparent ; while the contributions on Anatomy 

 and Physiology by Dr. Gadow, and on Osteology by Dr. Shufeldt, 

 leave nothing to be desired. 



As regards the illustrations, they are for the most part excel- 

 lent ; and we are glad to notice the reproduction of Swainson's 

 woodcuts of heads and feet, which have been too generally over- 

 looked, and which for accuracy have seldom been surpassed. We 

 look forward with pleasurable anticipation to the publication of 

 the two Parts with which the work is to be concluded. 



* We may take exception here to the statement (p. 214) that " the Emeu is 

 the only form of Ratite bird which naturally takes to the water ; " for we have 

 it on the authority of Darwin and Dr. Cunningham that this habit has been 

 observed in the American Rhea. See ' Ostriches and Ostrich-farming,' p. 58. 

 Nor is it quite correct to say (p. 80) that it is the custom of the Ratitae for the 

 eggs to be invariably incubated by the male birds. See ' Nature,' March 22nd, 

 1883. One other criticism with reference to Ostriches may be here advanced. 

 It is stated (p. 190, note) that " it is curious that Ostriches' eggs from North 

 Africa are to be readily distinguished from those from the Cape of Good Hope 

 by their smooth ivory-like surface without any punctures, whereas southern 

 specimens are rough as though pock-marked ; yet no other difference that 

 can be deemed specific has as yet been established between the birds of the 

 north and of the south." The explanation of this difference in the surface of 

 the egg-shells is said to be that the eggs of the North African Ostrich 

 brought to this country are usually procured from the Arabs, whose practice 

 it is to get rid of the rough surface, and as they think improve the appearance 

 of the eggs by rubbing and polishing them between their hands with sand ! 

 But see Tristram, ' Ibis,' 18G0, p. 74. 



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