496 abstracts: ornithology 



interest is a specimen of the rare pigeon commonly known as Columba 

 grisea (Bonaparte), which Dr. Richmond renamed Columha phasma, 

 but which has an eariier name in Columba argentina Bonaparte. 



H. C. O. 



ORNITHOLOGY. — Notes on the wrens of the genus Nannus Billherg. 

 Harry C. Obbrholser. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 55: 223-236, 

 1919. 



The present investigation of the genus Nannus (ohm Anorthura) 

 concerns chiefly the American forms, but a few changes in Old World 

 races are noted. Altogether there are 36 forms in the genus, and al- 

 though some of these formerly stood as species, they are now con- 

 sidered subspecies of the European Nannus troglodytes. Birds from 

 middle Europe differ from the typical race of Norway and Sweden 

 and should be subspecifically separated as Nannus troglodytes sylvestris 

 (Brehm). The bird heretofore known as Troglodytes pallidus Hume 

 should now be called Nannus troglodytes tianschanicus (Sharpe). The 

 race described as Olbiorchilus fumigatus Clark from the Amur region 

 in eastern Siberia proves to be a good subspecies and should stand as 

 Nannus troglodytes amurensis (Clark). The bird named by Buturlin 

 Anorthura fumigata ussuriensis is apparently the same. The American 

 forms of this genus are now increased to 9 by the addition of the fol- 

 lowing three new subspecies: Nannus troglodytes kiskensis from Kiska 

 Island, Alaska; Nannus troglodytes tanagensis from Tanaga Island, 

 Alaska; and Nannus troglodytes petrophilus from Unalaska Island, 

 Alaska. H. C. O. 



ORNITHOLOGY.— 5^Vaf5 of a Washington City dooryard. Harry C. 

 Oberholser. Amer. Midi. Nat. 6: 1-13. 1919. 

 The observations here recorded were made in the built-up portion 

 of the City of Washington from May 5, 191 1, to May i, 19 18. The re- 

 sult again exemplifies the fact that there is ample opportunity for natural 

 history study even in the midst of a crowded city. The total number 

 of species herein recorded is 100, with notes on the dates of their occur- 

 rence. The largest number of these seen on any one day was 18. 

 Among these, the most interesting for their appearance in city dis- 

 tricts were probably Colinus virginianus virginianus, Porzana Carolina, 

 Bartramia longicauda, five species of the genus Hylocichla, and Loxia 

 curvirostra minor. H. C. O. 



