Ornithological Literature

Abstract

Apart from the small Old World family Eurylaimidae (the broadbills), of which 8 genera and 14 species are recognized, the seventh volume of Peters’ monumental check-list of the birds of the world, the publication of which has now been taken over by the Museum of Comparative Zoizilogy, is devoted entirely to neotropical families of the superfamily Furnarioidea, including the wood-hewers (Dendrocolaptidae), ovenbirds (Furnariidae), ant-thrushes (Formicariidae): ant-pipits (Conopophagidae) and tapaculos (Rhinocryptidae). No species in this group has been recorded from North America north of Mexico. Since these New World families were monographed by the late eminent ornithologist Dr. C. E. Hellmayr less than 30 years ago, a comparison of the two works is pertinent. Important changes include the elimination of subfamilies, a decrease in the number of species (527 vs. 540), and a great increase in the number of recognized forms (1581 vs. 1163). Several genera have been removed from the Formicariidae, Melanopareia being placed in the Rhinocryptidae, while Psilorhampkz~s, in addition to Ranzphocaenus anti Microbates, are referred to the Sylviidae. Of the genera we note that “Dendroplex ” is merged with Xiphorhynchus, “Dendrophylax” with Leptasthenura, “Drioctistes” with Phacellodomus, “Microxenops” with Xenops, “Apocryplornis” with Grallaricula. Six genera (Oclzetorl~ynclzus, Spartonoica, Hellmayrea, Gyalophylas, Roraimia, and Simoxenojx) are added to the Furnariidae, two (Xenovnis and iMyrmop/cyZax) to the Formicariidae. This reviewer is impressed not only with the standard of accuracy and attention to details characteristic of Peters’ work, but also with his conservative taxonomic treatment in contrast with the works of certain other authors.-James Bond.