454 Recently published Ornithological Works. 



73. W. Blasius's second Paper on the Great Auk. 



[Zur Geschiclite der Ueberreste von Alca impennis, Linn. Von Pruf. 

 Dr. Wilh. Blasius. J. f. 0. 1884, p. 58.] 



We noticed Prof. Blasius's first paper on this subject in 

 our April number (p. 204). In this second contribution he 

 gives further details respecting this interesting extinct 

 species, and increases the number of specimens known to 

 exist from 74 to 7Q. 



74. Cope on the Zoological Position of Texas. 



[On the Zoological Position of Texas. By Edward D. Cope, Bull. 

 U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 17.] 



Mr. Cope discusses Texas with regard to the question of 

 the point of junction of the Nearctic and Neotropical faunas. 

 As we all know, the tableland of IVIexico is populated by an 

 animal life which belongs to the north and differs essentially 

 from that of the coast-region on each side. The genera of 

 South America terminate their range at various points along 

 the coast-region, but on the Atlantic slope " enough of them 

 remain at Matamoras, at the mouth of the Rio Grande, to 

 show that that point is not far from the northern boundary 

 of the Neotropical Realm.'' On the other hand, various 

 northern genera run south over the tableland as far as the 

 City of Mexico. 



Mr. Cope discusses only the Mammals, Reptiles, and 

 Batrachians of Texas ; but his essay should not the less 

 be read by ornithologists. His conclusion is that Texas 

 must be placed within the Nearctic Region, a result with 

 which we believe students of its avifauna will also agree. 



75. Coues and Prentiss on the Avifauna of Columbia. 



[Avifauna Columbiana ; being a List of Birds ascertained to inhabit the 

 district of Columbia, with the times of arrival and departure of such as 

 are non-residents, and brief notices of habits &c. Second Edition. By- 

 Elliott Coues, M.D., Ph.D., and D. Webster Prentiss, A.M., M.D. Bull. 

 U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 26, 1883.] 



Tlie title of this list fully explains its contents. The 



