Migration Records of Kansas Birds 149 



field. Utterly familiar with the variant thrush calls, one is yet 

 tantalizingly unable to diffei-entiate the two kinds of birds that 

 utter the sound. It is quite likely that the ' swainsani Thrushes 

 that migrate through western Kansas are of the now-rejected sub- 

 species, almae: which is, some of us are quite sure, a thoroughly 

 good sub-species. Its temperament, its chosen breeding grounds, 

 and its habits are all quite unique. There are several particu- 

 larly good ornithologists that agree with me, in this contention. 

 761 and 761a. Plantesticus (lege, Phmesticus). 



This review is far and away from having any of the 

 remotest personal animus or bearing. It is, rather, just 

 AN IMPERIOUS DEMAND FOR MORE LIGHT. Past 

 experiences have compelled me, at times, to disavow al- 

 leged personal differentiations; and I have hence felt it 

 in no sense uncharitable to view, with skeptical mental at- 

 titude, certain differentiations made by others. It is a 

 thousand pities that we might not have, in Kansas, some 

 Nestor like the late Professor Snow, to criticize, foiinu- 

 late and re-tabulate the records made by men less learned 

 or less critical; thus giving the world of Ornithological 

 Science a sound and accurate survey of the ornis of Kansas. 

 One also longs for the day when the scientists of this 

 state will bring such concerted stress to bear upon our 

 uncertain State Legislature that they may grant to ac- 

 credited and genuine bird students the right to take, and 

 to hold in possession specimens of bird-life. There are 

 problems of absorbiDg interest, with some of us, that can 

 be solved in no other way. The resulting prejudice upon 

 bird life would be quite inappreciable; while the results of 

 the licensing would be of substantial and lasting benefit 

 to the local study of Ornithology. 



Throughout, the reviewer has failed to repeat the sci- 

 entific specific-nomen : as a prop to the proper use of the 

 trinomial system. In this I am sure I should have, were 

 he alive, today, no less a backer than beloved and brilliant 

 Elliott Coues. How he did hate tautonomy: and how 

 finely did he voice that hatred ! 



P. B. Peabodt. 

 Blue Rapids, Kansas. 



