Synopsis of the Birds of Australia. ol 1 



plied by this work, we may refer to the account of Papilio Memnon, 

 under which our author proves that no fewer than six or seven kinds, 

 hitherto regarded as distinct, are mere varieties of that protean 

 insect. The descriptions are of considerable length, and formed on 

 the model of Godart's, whose exact words in many cases the author 

 very properly adopts. In conformity with the plan followed in the 

 whole series, no concise specific characters are given, which will 

 probably be found to be an inconvenience. The present volume 

 extends to the genus Terias, and it may be estimated that nearly 

 three other similar volumes will be requisite to complete the Diur- 

 nal Lepidoptera alone, on the same ample and satisfactory plan. 

 The plates illustrating this volume are engraved with great care, 

 and form a valuable accompaniment to the text. 



Bibliographical Notices. 



A Synopsis of the Birds of Australia and the adjacent Islands. By 



John Gould, F. L. S., &c. Part I. Royal 8vo. 1837- 



Mr Gould thus expresses himself in the prospectus to this work: 

 " The author trusts that the present work will not be deemed un- 

 called for ; more especially as not only are we less acquainted with 

 the natural forms inhabiting this portion of the globe, differing, as 

 they do, so widely from all others, whether belonging to the old or 

 new world* The author, therefore, conceives, that a work on the 

 birds of these countries cannot fail to be of the greatest interest, not 

 only to the naturalist and scientific men of our own country, but to 

 those of Europe and America, as well as to the inhabitants them- 

 selves of these distant colonies ; and he is farther induced to com- 

 mence such an undertaking, having at this moment in his possession 

 an exceedingly rich collection, perhaps the finest extant, of the pro- 

 ductions of these countries, among which are a large number of un- 

 described species." 



" The object of the present publication is, in the first instance, to 

 makeknown, and record in an eligible form, the best accessions which 

 science has latterly acquired from this portion of the globe ; and, in 

 order to render it of real value and utility to the men of science of 

 all countries, the author has determined upon giving, besides a La- 

 tin and English description, measurements, synonyms, &c. a figure 

 of the head of the natural size of every species, a feature not to be 

 found in preceding works of a similar nature, and by which each 

 bird may at once be distinguished, hitherto a matter of some diffi- 

 culty, particularly in those that are nearly allied. The work will 

 be published in parts, each of which will contain eighteen plates, 



no. vi. p p 



