28 Recent Literature. [ ZOE 
tation, in future ages, shall render them desirable captures.’’ The 
author has always been regarded, on the Pacific Coast at least, as 
one of the most conservative American zoologists, but whether be- 
ing “conscious of my own changed tendencies’? may be interpreted 
as an endorsement of the present ‘‘hair-splitting’’ in American 
ornithology will remain to be seen. We think not, and shall await 
with keen anticipation his forthcoming revision of the susceptible 
genus 7amias. 
The benefit to ornithology resulting from the study and applica- 
tion of the ideas presented by Mr. Allen is not to be estimated now. 
A few years hence may show whether any consideration is given to 
the question in the light in which it js presented, or whether like 
the ‘‘Plea for the Metric System” published a few years ago by 
Dr Merriam, it is passed without regard.. 
It has been a matter of some surprise that American zoologists. 
have not been able to agree upon a standard unit of measurement 
as well as a uniform method of measuring, based upon the most 
important structural members and the most tangible points for as- 
certaining the dimensions, [In the length of the tail of a bird some 
four or five different Starting points are used by as many different 
individuals, rendering the figures of one almost valueless for com- 
parison with the others. ; W. E. B. 
Judging from the comments which occasionally appear in the 
Ornithologist and Odlogist—and there must be many that do not 
of some of the articles, and do not hesitate to let the publisher have 
the advantage of their views. His genial and independent nature 
once classified some suggestions alphabetically and continued in 
the ustal style, 
The F ebruary issue contains a number of interesting papers, — 
and also several installments of the catalogue of the oP. N° eer 
lection of eggs, wherein the collector seldom receives mention. 
W. ESB. | 
Wissenschaftliche Resultate der von N. M. Przewalski nach Cen- 
tral-Asien unternommenen Reisen. Zoologischer T, heil—Bd. III, 
Abth. 2. By S,. HERZENSTEN, St. Petersburg, 1888, Part re 
Being descriptions of the species of Nemachilus, including six new 
species. With plates I-VIqq. 1889.—Part 2. Descriptive of the 
