EXTRACTS FROM REVIEWS. 
never an actual explorer of the country himself, his official position gave him unusual facilities for studying its avifauna by means 
of the numerous collections which from time to time passed through his hands, and not a few of these antipodean species were 
originally described by him 
“ When Mr. Gould, in 1868, published his ‘ Handbook to the Birds of Australia,’ he gavo, by way of appendix to his second 
volume, an account of various New-Zealand species which were scarcely known to English readers, save in name ; and in point 
of date this would seem to have been the latest publication on the subject in this country until a few months since, when Part I. 
of Mr. Buller’s splendid work made its appearance. But, although so little, comparatively, has of late been published here, 
naturalists in New Zealand have been actively engaged for some years past in working out the natural history of their adopted 
country ; and the transactions of two of their scientific societies contain many excellent contributions on ornithology from such 
able naturalists as Dr. Haast, Dr. Hector, Mr. Potts, and the author of the work now before us. Nor have our friends in 
Germany been behindhand in their zeal to become acquainted with an avifauna perhaps the most remarkable in the 
world 
“’Re recogniso in Mr. Buller’s publication, however, the first attempt which has been made to give anything like a 
complete history of the birds of New Zealand ; and it would not be easy to overrate the importance which attaches to such 
an undertaking 
“ Those who had an opportunity of seeing the Huia, which lived for some time in the Parrot-house in the Zoological Gardens, 
could scarcely have noticed it without wishing to learn something of its haunts and habits ; and to them Mr. Buller’s account of 
it will prove most entertaining. In the following extract we seem to get a peep of the country which it inhabits, as we search 
for and find this very curious bird Such sketches as these go far to enliven a comprehensive work on birds, which, 
in other respects, is strictly scientific. As regards the illustrations Mr. Buller has been most fortunate ; for, under his direction, 
his artist, Mr. Keulemans, has produced some of the most life-like and beautiful pictures of birds which we have seen. We 
understand the work is to be completed in five Parts, two of which have already appeared, and a third is in active preparation. 
It will assuredly become the text-book for all students of New-Zealand ornithology .” — The Field. 
“ Dr. Buller has just produced Part IY. of his great work on the ornithology of New Zealand ; and we may now fairly say 
that the high anticipations wo had formed as to the author s capabilities have been fully realized. In the book before us wo find 
the two great requirements of science combined — namely, a thorough appreciation of the necessary details which are expected of 
a scientific work in the present day, and the ability to write in appropriate and entertaining language the life-histories of the 
birds of which the author has to treat. So rarely are these two qualities found combined in a scientific writer, that the greatest 
credit is due to the learned author for the admirable manner in which he has performed his task. 
“ The ornithology of New Zealand is especially interesting, from the fact that the indigenous species are being gradually 
extinguished ; and we read with regret that even within the memory of the author certain birds, which were formerly common, 
have almost ceased to exist. 
“ The work contains elaborate scientific diagnoses of the various birds, and a classification of the different names by which 
they have been known to different writers. 
“ The coloured plates are really exquisite examples of the lithographer’s skill. In every respect the work is a most valuable 
addition to the scientific student’s library, as well as to that of the more general reader, and seems to contain the fullest 
information on every point connected with this interesting study.” — Land and Water. 
“ Although several more or less complete treatises on and lists of the Birds of New Zealand have been published, they were 
rather of a tentative and preliminary character ; and the work before us is the first which gives a full account of this ornithic 
fauna, which, in zoological interest, is not excelled by that of any other country There can be no doubt that 
Dr. Buller, well known in Europe by his preliminary ornithological publications, is eminently qualified to fulfil this task. His 
long residence in the colony and his official position have given him rare opportunities of making observations and collecting 
materials ; and by a lengthened visit to England he has derived the great advantages of studying typical examples and of availing 
himself of that typographic and artistic skill, in which this country excels. To judge by the first part issued. Dr. Buller has 
succeeded in producing a work of real excellence. The text is clear, instructive, and not overloaded with unnecessary detail ; 
while the illustrations are beautiful and life-like.” — The Academy. 
“ New Zealand may be congratulated on having outstripped the other colonies in the race for scientific honours. Even 
Canada, with all the resources at her command, has produced nothing at all comparable with the ‘ Transactions of the New-Zealand 
Institute. Now we have before us something of a far more ambitious kind — namely, a complete life-history of the birds of New 
Zealand, adapted to the present advanced state of ornithological science, and most beautifully illustrated with coloured plates. . . . 
The descriptive part of the text is very carefully worked out, both in English and Latin; and the history of each species is given 
in the most complete and exhaustive manner. The plates are extremely beautiful, and are rendored more attractive by the 
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