348 Recent Literature. cae 
in the rejection of the ‘ Viduine ’ either as a subfamily or a group and in the 
transference of Spermospiza from the Ploceine to the Estrildine (= 
Spermestinz) and of Quelea, Pyromelana, Euplectes, Urobrachya, Colius- 
passer, Diatropura, Drepanoplectes, and Pseudonigrita from the latter to 
the former. Parmoptila and Pholidornis are added to the Estrildine 
while Philetairus and Anomalospiza are retained in the same group. 
An appendix contains brief accounts of the nest and eggs, and size of the 
outer primary in each genus, and in the Estrildine the mouth markings of 
the young as well. These are based upon Mr. Chapin’s personal observa- 
tions and the published accounts of others. A number of half-tone plates 
showing photographs of nests and drawings of the mouths of young birds 
complete this valuable paper which is one of the most important contribu- 
tions to avian taxonomy that has appeared in America for some time.— 
Wes: 
Pearson’s ‘The Bird Study Book.’ !— Realizing from his own wide 
experience the many questions that beginners in bird study are constantly 
asking of those who are more advanced in the subject, Mr. Pearson con- 
ceived the idea of embodying in book form such information as would serve 
as answers to these queries, and the work before us represents the result 
of his efforts. He begins with general instructions as to the best ways to 
become familiar with wild birds, following with a discussion of the structure 
of birds’ nests, their variability and where to look for them, and then an 
account of the domestic life of birds. The migration of birds and birds in 
winter very properly form the subjects of two separate chapters, as these 
are perhaps the two most popular topics in outdoor bird study. 
All of this naturally leads up to that phase of the subject with which Mr. 
Pearson is especially identified —the protection of birds, to which all 
students of outdoor life will sooner or later be attracted. Chapters on the 
economic value of birds; the bird supply; the traffic in feathers; bird 
protective laws; bird reservations; bird sanctuaries and the teaching of - 
bird study follow in natural order. 
The work is admittedly intended primarily for the beginner, and the 
author seems to have been most happy in the character of the information 
which he has collected and in the manner of its presentation. ‘The Bird 
Study Book’ will give just the information that many persons are seeking, 
while the later chapters will give many more or less advanced field students 
an intelligent idea of the problem of bird protection and what has been 
accomplished towards its solution, thereby forestalling much well intended 
but misdirected effort. 
Mr. Pearson has included many original incidents and ideas in his 
1The Bird Study Book. By T. Gilbert Pearson, Secretary, National Association of 
Audubon Societies. Colored Frontispiece. Pen and Ink Drawings by Will Simmons 
and sixteen Photographs. Doubleday, Page & Company, Garden City, New York. 1917. 
Svo, pp. i-xv, 1-258. Price $1.25 net. 
oe 
