Synopsis of the Birds of Australia. 571 
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 
make known, 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 
