234 REVIEWS. 
hasty preparation or of the occupancy of an unfamiliar field — er- 
rors which a second edition, sure to be wanted, will easily correct ; 
while its advantages are so manifest that it cannot fail of an ex- 
tensive usefulness. — R. H. W. 
Recent ORNITHOLOGICAL Pustications. — With the close of the 
year we have two papers of interest. Dr. H. M. Bannister, 
whose name is associated with the late explorations in Alaska, 
offers * “A Sketch of the Classification of the American Anse- 
rine,” which renders our information more precise, if not more 
extended. Excluding the genera Dendrocygna and Chenalopex, 
he divides the Geese proper into two sections, Anseree and 
Philactee. The former of these includes the two typical genera, 
Anser and Branta,+ in which the sexes are alike, and the plumage 
nowhere metallic; and three sub-typical genera, all South Ameri- 
can, viz.: Oressochen, n. g., Chlotrophus, n. g., and Chloephaga 
Eyt., in which either the sexes are dissimilar, or else the plumage 
has iridescent tints. The Philacteæ are marked by the presence 
“of deep rough superorbital depressions, and reversed relative pro- 
portions of tarsus and middle toe [the former shorter or not longer 
than the latter], together with an exclusively sea-coast habitat, and 
a carnivorous diet, corresponding in some of these respects with 
the Oidemiæ and Somateriæ among ducks” (p. 130). This section 
embraces one North American species usually called Chlaphaga 
canagica, here made the type of Philacte, n. g.; and the South 
erican Tænidiestes antarctica. Of the naturalness of this 
arrangement, as well as of its convenience, there is probably no 
doubt, and though division genericé may seem pushed to an ex- 
treme, yet this conforms to the usage of the day; the only ques- 
tion is, whether corresponding subtilty would not demand the 
recognition of Chen, and even Exanthemops, as distinct from 
Anser. We regret that the paper is defaced by too numerous and 
inexcusable typographical errors, for which, however, we happen 
to know that the author is not responsible. 
In the list of North American species we notice the absence of 
Anser albatus and Branta leucopareia ; the former, if only indeed 
a small race of A. hyperboreus, we should judge entitled to recog- 
nition ; but the latter has doubtless no such claims; nor should 
* Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philada., Sept. on , 1870, p 
t Scopoli, 1769, ex Klein, type A. bernic Ribi Finch Soe 1922, type Anas rufina Pall.; 
thus equal to, and EPT Bernicla Boié, 1 1922, 
