Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/378

352 wherein all the birds mentioned in the text are coloured with a softness and fidelity to nature which at once commends them to the critical eye of the ornithologist. The figures are rather small, perhaps, but they convey an accurate idea of form and colour, if not always of relative size; and the possessor of any European bird-skin could not fail to identify the species from the plates, even if he had not the letterpress to assist him. In addition to the scientific names and synonyms, the name of each species is given in German and French, followed by a description of the species and a brief account of haunts and habits.

We are not sure about the cost of the work in England, but Messrs. Trübner & Co., who are the agents for the sale in this country, can supply information on this point, and will no doubt be glad to show a copy to any one desirous of inspecting it.

aim and scope of this useful annual cannot be too widely made known. To those who are unacquainted with its nature it may be described as a book of reference for working zoologists, containing, in the shape of an annual volume, a complete index to the zoological literature of the year preceding that of its publication. No matter what branch of Zoology the reader may be interested in, he has only to turn to the proper page to ascertain all that has been written on that particular subject during the previous year, including notices not only of separate volumes, but even of essays and articles from every zoological journal of note.

Nor is it a mere index; for short abstracts of the more important publications are given, and the general scope of each article is indicated. To working zoologists the 'Record' is especially useful, as facilitating research and directing attention to recently published works and essays, both English and foreign, which bear upon the particular subject they may have in hand. The volume closes with an index to the new genera and subgenera which have been described in the course of the year.