Recently published Ornithological Works. 549 
64. Howard’s c British Warblers.’ 
[The British Warblers: a History with Problems of their Lives. 
By H. Eliot Howard. Pc. III. London : R. H. Porter, Feb. 1909. 
Price 21s. net.") 
We have before ns another part of Mr. Howard’s f British 
Warblers/ and find the illustrations, which are one of the 
$reat features of the work, as good as, if not better than 
formerly. Coloured figures are given of the Chiffchaff in 
autumn plumage, the male and female Blackcap-Warbler, 
Pallas’s Willow-Warbler, and Radde’s Bush-Warbler, photo¬ 
gravures of the female Chiffchaff and of Blackcaps under 
various conditions completing the series. It is hardly 
possible to say which we admire the most, but certainly the 
delicacy and softness of the last-mentioned are most 
remarkable. 
The letterpress discusses in very full style the life-history 
of the Blackcap—especially the courtship, the habits during 
breeding, and the vocal powers. Four points are emphasized 
in particular: the development of the song of the male 
from year to year, its deterioration after coition, the powers 
of imitation, and evidence of emulation. Incidentally 
Mr. Howard tells us that he believes that the acquired 
power of imitation may be inherited, and throughout he 
shews how carefully and thoroughly he has investigated the 
phenomena with which he deals. 
As usual, no life-histories are given of the species that do 
not breed in Britain. 
65. Jourdain on European Birds’ Eggs. 
[The Eggs of European Birds. By Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain. London, 
1909. 8vo. Pt. III. pp. 161-240, pis. 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 60, 69, 72, 87, 
88, 90, 92, 94,105.] 
Mr. Jourdain's book has now reached its third part, 
which concludes the Motacillidce, and treats of the Certhiidce 
(including Sitta), the Paridce (including Regulus and 
Panurus), and the Laniidce. The letterpress fully maintains 
SER. IX.—“VOL. hi, 2 o 
