202 abstracts: ornithology. 



ences characterizing them are almost wholly those of size and propor- 

 tion, and, because great individual variation complicates the case, 

 these are largely average distinctions and require series of specimens 

 for proper elucidation. In the old world some sixteen or seventeen 

 forms are at present recognized, but in North America currently only 

 two, Corviis corax principalis of northern North America, with which 

 the birds in the eastern United States are considered identical, and 

 Corvus corax sinuatus of the western United States and Mexico. In 

 addition to these, another smaller form, Corvus corax clarionensis , re- 

 cently described from Clarion Island in the Revillagigedo group, of 

 western Mexico, now appears to be the race inhabiting western North 

 America from Lower California and Arizona to Oregon. The bird of 

 eastern North America from Alabama to southern Labrador, and west 

 to Minnesota and Arkansas, is described as a new race — Corvus corax 

 europhilus. H. C. O. 



ORNITHOLOGY. — Birds observed near Minco, central Oklahoma. 

 Alexander Wetmore. Wilson Bull. 30: 2-10,56-61. 1918. 



Lists of breeding birds from Oklahoma are particularly important 

 since little information is available concerning the geographic distribu- 

 tion of birds in this state. This contribution comprises notes on 

 sixty -two species and subspecies, mostly breeding birds from the vicinity 

 of Minco, in the central part of the State. The most interesting in- 

 formation from a distributional standpoint is the residence here of 

 Penthestes carolinensis agilis, Muscivora forficata, Agelaius phoeniceus 

 predatorius, Dryobates pubescens medianus, and Thryomanes bewickii 

 cry plus; and the occurrence during migration of Chordeiles minor 

 henryi. Harry C. Oberholser. 



ORNITHOLOGY. — Notes on the genus Puffinus Brisson. Harry C. 

 Oberholser. The Auk 34: 471-475. October, 191 7. 



The notes in this paper relate to the generic groups, species, and sub- 

 species currently included in the genus Puffinus Brisson, particularly 

 such as concern North America. The new genus Calonectris, proposed 

 by Mathews and Iredale for Puffinus leucomelas and Puffinus kuhlU, 

 appears to be well characterized. The genus Ardenna Reichenbach is 

 likewise tenable and includes Puffinus gravis O'Reilly, Puffinus creatopits 

 Coues, and also Puffinus carneipes Gould, which has recently been made 



