Recently published Ornithological Works. 453 
a work of indefinite dimensions, which, having now reached 
its twenty-sixth part, bids fair to be the most comprehensive, 
though not the most homogeneous, of all the colossal works 
of the author. One new species is described in this part and 
called Paradoocornis austeni, after Major Godwin-Austen, who 
discovered the species in the Naga Hills, near Kuchai, and 
at Shillong, in the Khasi Hills. 
In 1865 M. Mulsant, in conjunction with the brothers 
Verreaux, published a small volume entitled ‘Essai d’une 
Classification Methodique des Trochilides ou Oiseaux-Mou- 
ches^ (cf. Ibis, 1867, p. 126). In their introduction the authors 
referred to a forthcoming Monograph of these birds, the pub¬ 
lication of which M. Mulsant, the sole survivor of the three, 
has now courageously commenced*. 
It is contemplated that the whole work will comprise four 
volumes, each containing four livraisons. Each of the latter 
will be illustrated with four or five coloured plates containing 
figures of the chief genera; the total number of plates will 
therefore be about 72. Should, however, a sufficient number 
of subscribers be forthcoming, plates figuring all of the 
remaining species will be issued. 
Though the f Essai * contained some serious errors, it had 
the decided merit of being an attempt to give differential 
characters for the various genera and higher groups of Tro- 
chilidse. 
The new work does the same ; but the primary divisions, 
as well as the genera, are defined by emphasizing characters 
not brought into the same prominence in the former essay. 
The feathering of the base of the beak was first used to form 
two tribes, “ Trochiliens ” and “ Ornismiens; ” now the shape 
of the tail-feathers is employed to indicate three such groups, 
called “ Trochiliens,” “ Lophorniens,” and “ Ornismiens.” 
The minor divisions are also defined from different characters, 
but still the method of treatment employed in their analysis 
* Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux-Mouckes on Colibris constituent la 
famille des Trochilides. Par E. Mulsant et feu Edouard Verreaux, 
Ouvra'ge publie par la Society Linn6enne de Lyon. 4to Livraisons 1, 2. 
Paris: 1873-4. 
