Recently published Ornithological Works. 275 
(cf. Proc. Acad. Phil. 1864 & 1866). <A species of Zistrelata, 
formerly called Gi. grisea, Kuhl, ex Latham, is now described 
under the new name G. kidderi, it being clearly shown that the 
species in question is not the Procellaria grisea of Gmelin 
and Latham. We have lately pointed out (Rowley’s Orn. 
Misc. pt. iv.) that the name this bird will have to bear is @. 
brevirostris (Less.), an examination of Lesson’s type in Paris 
proving, beyond a doubt, the right position of this species ; 
and that Bonaparte, in identifying it with P. macroptera, 
Smith, was quite wrong. Dr. Coues places the name “stre- 
lata inexpectata, Forst.”” (Bonap. Consp. ii. p. 189), as one of 
the synonyms of CH. kidderi; but the bird so determined by 
Bonaparte (wrongly so no doubt) belongs to another species, 
and is identical with Procellaria incerta, Schl. But this is 
perhaps hardly the place to discuss the intricate synonymy 
of the Petrels, which, we may fairly say, have not their equal 
in respect of their nomenclature ; so involved is it, in spite of 
Dr. Coues’s meritorious labours in endeavouring to extricate 
these birds from this reproach. 
Dr. Coues adds critical notes on the nomenclature of many 
of the species, which form a valuable contribution to the 
work. 
Dr. Kidder’s own observations are of great interest ; and he 
describes the habits of the birds he saw very fully. As 
most of the birds found bred in the island during the stay of 
the expedition, ample facilities were afforded for making 
copious field-notes, of which Dr. Kidder most amply availed 
himself. We must add that the book itself is brought out 
under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution, and forms 
one of a series, now in course of publication, intended to 
illustrate the collections of natural history and ethnology 
belonging to the United States and constituting the National 
Museum. 





















