228 Recent Literature. [April 
which was made in 1907, comprises fifteen species, eight of which had not 
been previously known from the island, and which bring the total number 
of its bird fauna up to 26. 
Seven of the forms represented in Dr. Abbott’s collection prove to belong 
to undescribed races which are here named and diagnosed by Mr. Oberholser 
as follows: Spilornis bassus baweanus (p. 185); Sauropatis chloris cyanes- 
cens (p. 189); Strix baweana (p. 190); Microtarsus atriceps abbotti (p. 193); 
Malacocincla abbotti baweana (p. 194); Gracula javensis baweana (195); and 
Anthreptes malacensis baweanus (p. 196). 
In a footnote Mr. Oberholser discusses the question of family names and 
argues that the name Bubonide should not be changed to Strigidze simply 
because the name Strix (of earlier date than Bubo) is found to be applicable 
to the genus formerly known as Syrnium, and hence takes its place in the 
family Bubonide. In other words a family should take its name, not from 
the oldest generic name in the family but from the genus upon which the 
family was originally founded. It follows that the family name need only 
be changed when the name of the ‘‘type genus” is changed. This seems 
to be a sound argument and if followed will avoid some very undesirable 
and misleading changes.— W. 8. 
Wetmore on Secondary Sexual Characters in the Ruddy Duck.!— 
In dissecting some Ruddy Ducks Mr. Wetmore was able to verify the 
statement, first made by Macgillivray, that in this species the bulla ossea 
usually present in the trachea of the males of river and sea ducks, was 
entirely absent. Carrying his investigations further he discovered a 
remarkable tracheal air-sac which is used when the males are displaying 
during the mating season. The presence of this sac is responsible for the 
full and loose condition of the skin of the neck in this species, which renders 
it possible to slip the head through it when skinning a specimen, something 
which is quite impossible in our other ducks. Upon examining skins of 
other members of the subfamily Erismaturine he found the same condition 
of the neck skin in other species of EHrismatura as well as in Thalassornis 
and Nomonyz. ; 
Mr. Wetmore’s studies are particularly welcome as we are badly in need 
of more knowledge of the anatomy of birds in arriving at a true understand- 
ing of their systematic relationships. The field is a large one but for some 
reason or other has not been attractive to ornithologists. We hope that 
Mr. Wetmore may receive every encouragement to continue his investiga- 
tions along these lines.— W. 8S. 
Mathews’ ‘ Birds of Australia.’ ? — The first part of volume six which 
is now before us begins the treatment of the Parrots, a group of birds 
1QOn Certain Secondary Sexual Characters in the Male Ruddy Duck, Erismatura jamai- 
censis (Gmelin). By Alexander Wetmore. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. 52, pp. 479-482. 
February 8, 1917. 
2The Birds of Anstralia. By Gregory M. Mathews. Vol. VI, Part I. November 
22, 1916. 
