735 
1921 .] Recently published Ornithological Works. 
the highest mountain, Mt. Baguezan, readies an elevation 
of 6050 feet, and no naturalist has ever previously collected 
in this district, though it has been occupied by the French 
now for some years. The results of this expedition are 
therefore of very special interest, not only because the 
fauna of Asben was quite unknown, but also because it has 
brought fresh light on the boundary-line between the 
Palsearctic and Ethiopian regions. Capt. Angus Buchanan, 
whom Lord Rothschild was fortunate enough to secure to 
undertake this mission, was most successful, and brought 
examples of 168 species of birds, of which, however, only 
65 were from Asben itself. Of these 65 by far the greater 
proportion are inhabitants of tropical Africa and had reached 
Asben from the south, but a few, about 8 or 10 species, 
must have reached Asben from the north. We may there¬ 
fore conclude that Asben lies within the Ethiopian Region, 
while the fauna of Hoggar mountains, about 300 miles to 
the north, where in 1914 Geyr von Schweppenburg and 
Spatz made their fruitful collections, is predominantly 
palsearctic in character. 
Capt. Buchanan reached Kano, from Lagos, early in 
December 1919 and stayed there a month. From there he 
proceeded to Agades, the capital of the district, which he 
reached on 11 April, 1920. He was in the mountains from 
May 8 to June 6 and got back to Kano in September. The 
rainy season was then at its height. He also made collec¬ 
tions of Mammals, Insects, and other animals, and of plants. 
Dr. Hartert has discussed the birds at considerable length, 
drawing attention to their status, distribution, variation, 
and moults, and has described twelve new subspecific forms. 
As the Novitates is so accessible to all workers it does not 
seem necessary to list these here. The nine plates contain 
views of the scenery of the country from the photographs 
of Capt. Buchanan. 
We can only conclude by congratulating Capt. Buchanan, 
Lord Rothschild, and Dr. Hartert on having accomplished 
a fine piece of work and having made a very considerable 
addition to our knowledge of African birds. 
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