Recently published Ornithological Works. 375 
Reptiles, proceeds to discuss their structure and development 
from the archaic Archaeopteryx to the present day. Here 
Mr. Pycraft is in his element, and gives a clear and sufficient 
account of the osteology, myology, ptervlography, feather- 
formation, mechanism of flight, moult, colour-change, air- 
sacs, digestive organs, eggs, and so forth. Excellent wood- 
cuts aid the reader to follow the explanations in the text. 
Finally, we pass chapter by chapter through the various 
Orders and Families of Birds, from the lowest to the 
highest; hut this portion of the book is less successful than 
the former, scanty details being afforded in many cases and 
much information being omitted that might have easily been 
included by the addition of a few more pages. Some of the 
statements, moreover, are misleading, as when we are told 
that the Great Skua is “ well-nigh extinct, so far as these 
islands are concerned,” and that the Black Redstart is 
“ tolerably common in Great Britain during the summer 
months.’ 5 
44. Richmond on the Generic Names of Birds. 
[Generic Names applied to Birds during the Years 1901 to 1905 
inclusive, with further Additions to Waterhouse’s ‘ Index Generum 
Avium.’ By Charles W. Richmond, Assistant Curator, Division of 
Birds, U.S. National Museum. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xxxv. pp. 583-655 
(1908).] 
Mr. F. H. Waterhouse’s f Index Generum Avium/ con¬ 
taining a list of all the generic terms proposed in the Class 
of Birds from the time of Linnseus down to 1889, is a work 
of great value to the ornithologist and well known to all of 
us. In 1902 Mr. Richmond published a supplement to 
Mr. Waterhouse’s work * containing 675 additional names. 
Of these 475 had been instituted as new after the appearance 
of the f Index/ while the remainder consisted of terms over¬ 
looked by Waterhouse or requiring correction. Mr. Richmond 
* “ List of Generic Terms proposed for Birds during the Years 1890 
to 1900 inclusive, to which are added Names omitted by Waterhouse in 
his 1 Index Generum Avium,’ ” Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xxiv, no. 1267 
(1902). 
2 c 2 
