Recently published Ornithological Works. 371 
f Birds of Lancashire/ already favourably noticed in these 
pages, and it would he hard to say which is the better of 
the two. Both of the authors of the present work are 
excellent field-naturalists, and have received ample assistance 
from numerous collaborators of the same stamp. The total 
number of the species recorded is 250, of which 84 are resi¬ 
dents, 81 periodical visitants, and 85 are of irregular and 
accidental occurrence. A strong feature is the care with 
which their distribution is treated; and many British orni¬ 
thologists will learn with surprise that the only satisfactory 
case of the occurrence of the Nuthatch in Cumberland dates 
back to May 1782, when Heysham received one of a pair 
from Armathwaite. The Siskin has been found to be a 
regular breeder in some parts of the county during the last 
few years; but the Twite has, for some unknown reason, 
decreased. The Baven is stated to be nearly as abundant 
as it was half a century ago; but game-preservers will feel 
satisfaction at hearing that the Hooded Crow is only a 
scarce and winter visitant to Cumberland. For descriptions 
of birds in their breeding-haunts, attention may be especially 
directed to the account of the Pied Flycatcher (p. 31) and 
of the Dotterel (p. 133) by Mr. Frank Nicholson; while lovers 
of remarkable facts will be interested in the record of the 
Lesser RedpolFs nest built entirely of cotton-waste close to 
the Caledonian railway engine-shed. We had long been 
aware that the telegraph-wires exercised an appreciably fatal 
influence upon many species, especially game-birds; but it is 
sad to learn that the Tawny Owl, from its habit of mousing 
on railway lines, is often felled by locomotives. A few 
clerical errors can be corrected in a later edition, and 
it would be more consistent with the present custom if 
capitals were omitted in the specific names. A map adds 
to the usefulness of this excellent volume, which is fur¬ 
ther embellished by a coloured plate of the Dotterel by 
Keulemans. 
67. Meyer’s Illustrations of Birds’ Skeletons. 
[Abbildungen von Vogel-Skeletten. Plerausgegeben von I)r. A, B. 
