Yo.l. XXIV. 
1924 
Reviews. 
77 
Australian Sea-Birds. -Through the courtesy of Mr. J. A. 
Kershaw, F.E.S., Curator, l have been permitted to look over 
the bird-skins in the National Museum. I have noticed three species 
of sea-birds that are not on any Australian list, so far as I am 
aware, namely: — Two specimens of the Antarctic Petrel 
( Thtilassoica antarctica),“fron\ and identified by J. Gould”; one 
from South Australian seas, the other from Australian seas; one 
specimen of the Snowy, or Ice, Petrel (Pagodrotna nivea ), 
“from and identified by J. Gould/' marked Australian seas; and 
a specimen of the Antarctic Skua ( Megalestris maccormicki), 
taken by N. Batchelor, at Queenscliff, Victoria. When one 
considers the long Antarctic night and consequent frozen rigours 
of the far south, it is not surprising that the above-mentioned 
Antarctic-breeding species should occasionally make their way 
into lower and more temperate latitudes in the seas of Southern 
Australia—A. J. Campbell, F.A.O.U., Melbourne. 
Reviews* 
[“A Practical Handbook of British Birds.’' — Edited by H. F. 
Witherby, M.B.E., F.Z.S., F.R.G.S., M.B.O.U., assisted by authors of 
the various sections: Dr. Ernest Hartert, Miss Annie C. Jackson, 
II.M.B.O.U. (Mrs. Meinertzhagen), Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain, M.A., 
M.B.O.U., and Messrs. C. Oldham, F.Z.S., Norman F. Ticehurst, M.A., 
F R.C.S. It contains over 1500 pages of letterpress, with 30 plates 
coloured and monochrome and over 350 text figures. Demy 8vo. 2 vols. 
(bound as 3) £4/10/- net.] 
The issue of Part XVIII. completes a publication of the great 
cst value to all working ornithologists and bird-lovers. ()rigin- 
alitv in plan, practical utility and accuracy of detail are claimed 
for this work, which is theVesult of great labour and much re¬ 
search. . ...... 
The information under each species, being divided into sections 
and given in uniform order is easy of reference. All the birds 
on the British List are included. 
Keys to the Orders, Families, Genera and Species are given as 
guides to identification. 
Descriptions are more complete than any hitherto published in 
| )G ok form. They include in each species the plumages and 
moults of both sexes from season to season, as well as the changes 
from nestling to maturity under separate headings. 
Characters and Allied Forms is a useful section in which the 
chief characteristics of the species and how it differs from near 
.tllies on the British List are shown. 
Field Characters.- -In this section 
discriminating 
notes 
are 
given of points of distinction in the bird’s appearance “in the 
field/' of flight, notes and song, and other habits. The section 
dealing with breeding habits deals concisely with breeding habitat, 
nest, site and construction; eggs, colour, number in clutch and 
size; breeding season; incubation period and share of sexes, and 
fledgling period where known. The food, so far as is known, 
