306 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [Jan. 
It is noteworthy that in the two largest centres of population dealt with 
—namely, Auckland City and Whangarei—both of which suffer heavy infesta¬ 
tion, large permanent breeding-grounds are absent, and the difficulties of 
control are commensurately reduced. The locations in both these areas 
are streams, catch-basins, gully-traps, and artificial receptacles of all kinds. 
It would be a task of comparative ease to clear the courses of the streams, 
apply oil or copper sulphate to catch-basins and artificial ponds, and to 
collect and destroy the discarded pots and pans, thus effecting a very 
material reduction in the numbers of mosquitoes. 
A very striking feature is the presence of eight maps illustrating the 
boundaries of the areas studied, and supplying a surprising quantity of 
topographical information. 
It appears, then, as a result of the investigation, that the yellow-fever 
mosquito is almost certainly absent, and the Anophelines only very doubt¬ 
fully represented ; but that, while there is thus no need for great anxiety 
regarding the spread of malaria in this country, there yet remain many 
other reasons for suppressing the mosquito pest as much as possible. The 
report shows, furthermore, that the checking of mosquito-breeding is not 
only within our power, but is eminently practicable. 
It is no exaggeration to say that the report here reviewed marks the 
inception of a new era in the progress of applied entomology in the 
Dominion. The elimination of yellow fever and of malaria was the first 
tremendous contribution of economic entomology to the welfare of humanity. 
It is therefore a matter for satisfaction that this country, by investigating 
the same subject, is now falling into line with countries in which the study 
of the humanistic relationships of insects is already a powerful factor in the 
prosperity of the community. J. G. M. 
A Name-list of the Birds of New Zealand, by Gregory M. Mathews and 
Tom Iredale. Austral Avian Record , vol. 4, p. 49, 1920. 
Although this list contains only names, it is of special interest to New 
Zealand ornithologists, as giving the matured opinion of the authors on the 
nomenclature to he applied to the birds of New Zealand, and on a classifi¬ 
cation in accordance with both superficial and anatomical characters (see 
the following review on “ Avian Taxonomy”). 
Perhaps the chief feature of the list is the omission of trinomial names, 
thus emphasizing the specific groups, a welcome reversion to the Linnean 
principles of nomenclature. The present list includes the names of 211 
species of birds, of which thirty-six (excluding petrels) have occurred three 
times or fewer in the New Zealand area as covered by the list, which 
includes the Subantarctic Islands and the Kermadecs. 
In a previous “ Eeference List of the Birds of New Zealand,” published 
by Mathews and Iredale in the Ibis for 1913, trinomials are used, and full 
references and distribution given. An abstract of this list was given by 
Benham in Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. 46, p. 188. The present list differs 
from the Eeference List mainly in restoring to specific rank a few forms 
formerly given as subspecific only, as in the genera Eudyptes, Haematopus, 
and Hemiphaga, and in changing several generic and a few specific names. 
Heterolocha is used in place of Neomorpha, and Hydroprogne caspia instead 
of H. tschegrava. The reason for these changes is not obvious, as the less 
familiar names were used in the Eeference List on account of priority of 
publication (page precedence). 
The authors promise a handbook of the birds of New Zealand, dealing 
systematically with all the species. W. E. B. 0. 
