1921 .] Recently published Ornithological Works. 549 
Henry Gurney, sen., whose work on the Accipitres is 
known to us all. 
Gurney on the Annals of Ornithology. 
[Early Armais of Ornithology. By J. IT. Gurney, F.Z.S. With illus¬ 
trations from Photographs and old- Prints. Pp. 8+240. London 
(Witherby), 1921. 8vo.] 
We desire to heartily congratulate Mr. Gurney on the 
completion of his long-expected ‘ Annals of Ornithology/ 
We can imagine that the compilation of the work has 
been a labour of love to its author, and it certainly has 
provided a rich storehouse of ornithological lore to the 
reader. “ To collect all the ancient passages about birds, 
of any special interest, but more particularly those which 
concerned British Birds, and to string them together in 
order of date ” was the author’s scheme as set out in the 
preface, and although the outcome of this endeavour has 
resulted in a somewhat disjointed account of the various 
species, owing no doubt to the interpolation of fresh matter 
after the first proofs were set up, the general interest of the 
work is by no means diminished thereby. The ‘Annals’ 
embrace a period ranging from prehistoric times till the 
close of the eighteenth century, and include a very full 
collection of extracts from the various rare and ancient 
books which deal with matters ornithological in these 
islands, though we notice that the passages in Fynes 
Morrison’s “Itinerary” (1617) referring to the “Foules” 
of England and Ireland* are omitted, and we should have 
# The latter runs as follows:—“Ireland hath great plenty of Birds 
and Foules, hut by reason of their naturall sloth, they had little 
delight or skill in Birding or Fowling. But Ireland hath neither 
singing Nightingall, nor chattering Pye, nor undermining Moule, nor 
blacke crow, but onely Crowes of mingled colour, such as we call. 
Boyston Crowes. They have such plenty of Pheasants, as I have 
known sixtie served at one feast, and abound much more with Rayles; 
but partridges are somewhat rare. There be very many Eagles: and 
great plenty of Hares, Conies, Hawkes, called Gosse-Hawkes, much 
esteemed with us. . . . The Hawkes of Ireland called Goss-Hawkes 
are (as I said) much esteemed in England, and they are sort out by 
mony and all means to be transported thither,” 
