478 REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES. 
ORNITHOLOGICAL Works IN Prospect. — The present year prom 
ises to be a marked one in the history of North American Omi- — 
thology, no less than four important works on the subject being — 
already in press, and nearly all so well advanced that their publi- : 
cation will probably not be long delayed. First, in respect to time — 
of appearance, will apparently be the ‘Key to North American — 
Birds,* by Dr. Elliott Coues, a gentleman well and favorably — 
known to the ornithological public through his admirable series of — 
memoirs on various groups of our birds. The greater part of this — 
work is already in type, and its publication, may be expected early 
in the coming autumn, the prospectus of the work having already — 
been issued. Through the kindness of the publishers we have beet — 
favored with advance sheets of the portion printed, and can hence 3 
speak the more confidently of its character. The work is divided 
into three parts, — a general ‘ Introduction,” an analytical “ Key 
of the genera and subgenera, and a general “ Synopsis” of thpt : 
cies. The Introduction gives a popular elementary exposition of : 
the leading principles of ornithology, in which especial atenha: 
is paid to the description of the external parts and organs of birds, 
which are illustrated by appropriate figures. The definition of the 
technical terms in common use in ornithological writing ts chad 
ularly full and clear, surpassing in this respect any similar as 
on the technicalites of the science with which we are acqua" — 
The Key forms a novel feature in zodlogical manuals, oe : 
an artificial analysis, in a continuous table, of the genera deu : 
genera, similar in character to the analytical keys that have beet 
So successfully introduced into botanical manuals. 
with the definitions of terms contained in the Introduction, 
dent is guided at once to the identification of any specimen spe 
American bird he may have, however slight his previous ® e 
ence. It hence forms an invaluable feature of the work to“ 
lectors and amateurs. In the Synopsis that follows, the spe" 
are arranged in an approved systematic sequence, and eis 
fully and concisely described, all the characters which are ™ 
distinctive and essential being given without confusing thee 
with unimportant details. A large number of full length 
T TS a alll roel age 
the st 
2 
and fossil bird at present kn continent north of 
*Key to North American Birds: containing a concise account of every 
living sar own fr e ; 250 7 
United States Boundary. Ilustrated by 6 steel plates and upwards + 
By Elliott Coues, Assistant S United States Army. 
em: N: 
5 
1872. Imperial 8vo, cloth. 
