Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/62

36 reason of the great labour entailed in satisfactorily working out the small passerine birds, especially in the case of such difficult groups as the Wagtails, Pipits, and Linnets, where a nice discrimination of species and a careful comparison of authorities on the subject of geographical distribution has obviously necessitated a vast expenditure of time and trouble. Now that the Editor has almost completed this troublesome portion of the work, we may hopefully look for a more rapid issue of succeeding parts.

On glancing through the number before us, we find that much new matter has been introduced, even in the case of very common species. It would scarcely have been supposed that so universally distributed a bird as the common House Sparrow could be anywhere unknown in England, and yet we find the observation (at p. 94, note) that Mr. Rowe states that at Shepstor, a moorland village in Devon, the Sparrow is never seen. The Editor adds that this is the sole exception to its universal distribution in England known to him.

Throughout the whole of the palæarctic region this ubiquitous bird has been found, penetrating Siberia, and extending its range across the Asiatic continent as far northward as lat. 61° N., and as far to the east as the confluence of the Shilka and Argun. If the Sparrow of India be not a distinct species, as we believe it is not, we may trace our old friend from Yarkand to Siam and Ceylon. Unable, apparently, to thrive anywhere away from human habitation, "it keeps extending its area as desert countries are settled by man, being dependent on him for its living." "Thus," says Professor Newton, "the questions are opened whether it should not be regarded as a parasite throughout the greater part of its present range, and what should be deemed its native country. These are points which seem never to have been discussed, but for all that are none the less worthy of consideration."

The Hawfinch, so long described by ornithologists as an accidental visitor, is now known to inhabit various parts of England in considerable numbers, and is believed to be increasing year by year (p. 98). The seed of the hornbeam is said to be a favourite morsel with this bird, "but it also feeds on the kernels of haws, laurels, plums and other stone-fruits, and in summer makes great havock amongst green pease" (p. 99).

The Serin Finch, not mentioned in previous editions of the present work, is now included and figured; the increased attention