Abstract
THE literature of an attractive Order of birds receives a notable addition in this work. It is now nearly half a century since the late Dr. Bowdler Sharpe's “Catalogue of the Accipitres,” the latest complete work on the subject, appeared. During this long interval innumerable contributions have been made to the knowledge of the Order relating to the discovery of new species, the recognition of numerous racial forms, changes in nomenclature and classification, extension of geographical range, and much else. Thus a treatise, however modest, which might bring the subject down to date was a desideratum, and now, in a measure, has been supplied in a highly epitomised form by, this synoptical list, which furnishes concise diagnostic characters of families, genera, species, and sub species, and also an indication of the geographical range of each bird. For the species, however, it has been found impossible to deal with any but the plumage of adults, for the varied feather changes through which many species pass ere they assume the garb of maturity could only be satisfactorily described in an elaborate monograph on the Order; as yet there does not appear to be any signs of the advent of such a much needed work. Great care has been bestowed upon the preparation of this list—a task of ho small difficulty—and it will be much appreciated by all who are engaged in systematic ornithological studies.
A Synoptical List of the Accipitres. (Diurnal Birds of Prey.)
H. Kirke
Swann
Parts i. and ii. By. (London: John Wheldon and Co., 1919.) Price 4s. per part.
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A Synoptical List of the Accipitres (Diurnal Birds of Prey). Nature 104, 529 (1920). https://doi.org/10.1038/104529c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/104529c0