106 
Recent Ornithological Publications. 
Loche's Catalogue* of Mammals and Birds observed in Al¬ 
geria contains a list of the specimens exhibited at the “Exposi¬ 
tion permanente des produits de FAlgerie 33 at Algiers, with the 
addition of other species observed by the author in that country. 
The classification adopted is that of Prince Bonaparte^s f Cata¬ 
logue des Oiseaux d'Europe/ some few synonyms are given, and 
the ‘ habitat ; added to each species. The book is a very useful 
one in its way, particularly as a handbook for tourists, or for 
those who are working at the ornithology of this country, as by 
far the most complete list of the birds of Algeria yet issued. 
But we object to the practice of publishing new specific names 
in any form without giving descriptions. Who is to know what 
is intended by “ Malurus Sahara , Loche in litt.,” “ Calen¬ 
dar ella reboudia, Loche in litt.,” “ Galerida randonii, Loche inlitt.” ? 
Can the public peruse M. Loche’s private correspondence and 
ascertain what birds he may have so designated ? It stands to 
reason that the publication of such names without descriptions 
gives not the slightest title to priority, and is only productive 
of a confusion of synonymy, which retards the progress of 
science. M. Loche 5 s Catalogue enumerates as species observed 
by himself— 
Accipitres ... 46 Cursores .... 1 
Insessores . . . 157 Grallae .... 70 
Columbce ... 5 Anseres .... 73 
Gallinse .... 6 - 
Total 358 
An Appendix contains the names of 42 others considered 
doubtful. With regard to the main list, however, we suspect it 
will be difficult to establish the specific validity of such species 
as Amnomanes elegans, Microcarbo algeriensis, and some others. 
3. German Publications. 
Ol Cabanis 5 f Journal fur Ornithologie 3 we have received only 
the first four parts for the last year. We notice some of the 
more I’emarkable articles. The veteran naturalist Max, Prinz 
zu Wied, contributes a series of interesting papers on the birds 
* Catalogue des Mammiferes et des Oiseaux observes en Algerie par le 
Capitaine Loche. Paris, 1858, 1 vol. 8 vo. 
