Essai sur l'Appareil Locomoteur des Oiseaux

Abstract

THIS considerable volume, the first independent work of any pretensions on the osteology and myology of birds, is a valuable addition both to zoological and to ornithological literature. As far as the latter is concerned it would have been more distinctly useful if the author had been better acquainted practically with birds' skins, as well as with the binomial nomenclature and the importance of specific distinctions. If he had, such a sentence as the following would have been modified in a manner which would have made it of greater value to future investigators, at the same time that the precision would have added weight to the points brought forward. We are told with reference to the accessory femoro-caudal muscle that “this fasciculus, represented in the Cormorant by an aponeurotic band, is found uncomplicated in the Grebe, Flamingo, Heron, Bustard, and Secretary Bird,” in which remark the fact that what are there termed Grebe, Bustard, &c., are general terms, seems to be entirely ignored; as is therefore the possibility of there being structural differences among the members of the included groups. It may even be mentioned that respecting the very point referred to in the above quotation, the statement therein made does not generally apply, being correct as far as the Little Grebe (Podiceps minor) and the Common Heron (Ardea cinerea) are concerned, but being inaccurate when said of the Eared Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) and the Giant Heron (Ardea goliath). Most works on the anatomy of birds suffer from the same imperfection; the importance of specific and even generic distinctions being generally disregarded, by all but pure ornithologists.

Essai sur l'Appareil Locomoteur des Oiseaux.

By Edmond Alix (Paris: G. Masson.)