Recently published Ornithological Works. 177 



no doubt that the plumages of the various members of tbis 

 genus are far from being properly understood as yet. 



In a tbird paper (p. 5'26) be reviews, in collaboration with 

 Mr. J. T. Nichols, the forms of the genus Phabetria, of 

 which lantil comparatively recently but one species was 

 recognized. In tbis note the authors propose a new name 

 for the Sooty Albatross of the west coast of America, which 

 sometimes wanders as far north as the coast of Oregon. It 

 was originally named Diomedea fusca by Audubon, but as 

 this specific name is preoccupied they propose to designate 

 it Pho'betria palpebrata auduboni, bringing the number of 

 named forms of the genus up to six. 



An interesting point is made by Mr. J. D. Figgins (p. 62), 

 who sbows that Gambel's Quail_, which has been introduced 

 into the western part of the State of Colorado, and has tbere 

 increased and multiplied and become a common bird, bas, 

 as compared with the typical birds from California^ M-bence 

 we may presume it was originally brought, undergone marked 

 cbanges in coloration as well as in size. Are we justified, 

 then, in giving tbis artificially and recently introduced race 

 a new name ? Such action was certainly taken in the case 

 of the Bermuda Goldfincb (c/. Kennedy, Bull. B.O.C. xxxiii. 

 1913, p. 33). 



All ornithologists interested in moult and plumage change 

 should read an excellent account (p. 293), given by 

 Dr. J. Dwight, of this phenomenon in the Scoter Ducks. 

 It is illustrated by a coloured plate of the heads of the tbree 

 American and three Old- World species, carefully prepared 

 from fresh specimens and showing tbe coloration of tbe 

 curious knobs and protuberances so characteristic of tbe 

 birds of the genus (Edemia. These, as Avell as the adult 

 coloration of the legs and feet, begin to appear during tbe 

 first winter. 



Two interesting facts are brought forward by Dr. Dwight 

 and are believed to be entirely new discoveries. In both 

 Q^. americana and the corresponding QE. nigra of Europe, 

 tbe outer primary is very strongly emarginated on the inner 

 web. Tbe same feather in the young bird is normal and not 



SER. X. — VOL. III. X 



