370 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
be expected to say a last word in synonymy, and to serve a ready 
means for the identification of species. But their value extends 
over a larger field than the faunistic area in which they are 
centred, as many species have a wide range and their distribution 
is fully treated, so that in the problem of zoogeography the 
volumes must be shelved for consultation by the investigators of 
other faunas. We frequently find surprising additions in unex- 
pected migrants. Thus, in the Petrels, our old maritime friend 
the ‘‘ Cape Pigeon” (Daption capensis) is included on the autho- 
rity of a specimen shot in the Gulf of Manaar, between Ceylon 
and the mainland, the skin of which is preserved in the Hume 
collection. 
The completion of the vertebrate portion of this work should 
let loose some unused energy among Indian zoologists. They 
may now accept, and cease to too ardently criticise—for some 
years at least—the nomenclature of the series. We do not say 
that finality has been obtained; that, at least so far as specific 
treatment is concerned, is a question for the future, and must be 
based on more extensive knowledge than exists at present. But 
the Indian ornithologist can now estimate that his work is largely 
one of observation; he possesses a formula of identification that 
will be hard to beat, and with which he may be expected to remain 
content. The bionomical field is now the one to explore. Thanks 
to Messrs. Blanford and Oates one branch of Indian ornithology 
is thoroughly brought up to date, and is in line with the best 
current scientific conceptions. If the ubiquitous theorist can now 
be controlled, and observers take up the work, the volumes com- | 
prising the ‘ Fauna of British India’ will not have been written 
in vain. 
Bird Neighbours. By Neutse Buancuan; with introduction by 
JoHN Burroveus. Sampson Low, Marston & Co. 
THis is a book written by a lady, and refers to North 
American birds. It is a somewhat sumptuous work possessing 
fifty-two coloured plates, and is what may be styled an extra- 
scientific rather than a non-scientific volume. It is intended to 
promote the knowledge of birds, but is not in any sense a primer 
of ornithology. Just as we sometimes find a Professor of natural 
