228 
Corrcspondcr cc. 
Can the breeders or others answer these questions, or help towards the 
correction of the record. 
September 26th, 1920. E. HOPKINSON. 
[We beheve we are correct in stating that the species bred by Mr. 
Teschemaker in 1914 was tibetaniis, and that by Mr. Shore Baily in 1918 wis 
spinoides. As regards Mr. Bright's hybrids the species used was spinoides. 
—Ed.] 

Booh Notices and Reviews. 
A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OE BRITISH BIRDS : By various 
authors, edited by H. F. Witherby, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., with numerous half- 
tone and coloured illustrations. In 18 parts, price 4s. t.d. per part. London : 
Witherby and Co., 326, High Holborn, W.C., i. 
Part IX. This, the first part of the second volume, well maintains the 
reputation of the earlier parts. To repeat ourselves, for concise compre- 
hensity, ease of access, minute detail of plumage, habits, distribution, etc., 
it is the last word, to date, on our native avifauna, and, though its phraseology 
is terse indeed, its merit is beyond praise. It is, what it claims to be, A 
Practical Handbook of B.B. This part deals with the ORDERS CYPSELI 
(Swifts), CAPRIMULGI (Nightjars), MEROPES (Bee-eaters), UPUP^ 
(Hoopos), CORACI^ (Rollus), HALCYONES (Kingfishers), PICI (Wood- 
peckers and Wrynecks), CUCULI (Cuckoos), and STRIGES (Owls) is 
commenced. There is an exquisite half-tone plate of 11 busts of owls — Europ. 
Hawk-Owl, White-breast. Barn-Owl, Snowy Owl, Short-eared Owl, Long- 
eared Owl, Little Owl, Juv. and Ad. Tawn Owl, and Tengmalm's Owl — with 
practical text figures on almost every page. 
We congratulate all who have shared in its compilement, on their 
achievement. It lies in all ' public and educational establishment libraries, 
and on the bo>. lishelves of naturalists, bird-students and b'rd-lovers generally. 
^<H^ 
Post Mortem Reports. 
Green Budgerigar. Capt. Rice. — The bird was very fat, probably due 
to the change from aviary to cage life. The actual cause of death was 
bronchitis, to which over-fat btrds are extremely liable. 
Rhea. E. H. Curney, Esq.- — This bird had died of over distention of 
the stomach, which was full of grass, weighing 3 lbs. The stomach filled 
the whole body cavity and probably caused death by pressure on the heart. 
N. S. LUCAS, M.B., F.Z.S. 
