iSSs-l Notes and News. ^gi 



American Falconidae. The second, entitled 'Osteological studies of the 

 Subfamily Ardeinre,' presents a full account of the skeleton in Ardea, with 

 references to other genera of Herons. The third, and by far the most 

 important, is devoted to the ' Osteology of the North American Alcidae,' 

 and includes comparisons with several of the higher groups. Dr. Shufeldt 

 having had in his hands the entire collection of the skeletons of the Arctic 

 birds gathered bv the Alaskan expeditions, his extensive material will 

 doubtless enable him to throw much light upon the affinities of the groups 

 treated, so far as their osteology may serve to indicate them, since his 

 results, we understand, are to be given in great detail, in the form of care- 

 ful lv prepared analytical tables. 



Dr. William Wood, the well-known Connecticut ornithologist, died 

 suddenly at his residence in East Windsor Hill. Conn., on Sunday. August 

 9, at the age of 63 years. He was born at Somers, Conn., and was the son 

 of the Rev. Luke Wood of that town. In 1861 he published in the ' Hart- 

 ford [Conn.,] Times' a series of twenty-one original papers on the 'Ra- 

 pacious Birds of Connecticut.' and since that date articles from his pen on 

 the same and a few other species have appeared, from time to time, in the 

 'American Naturalist.' ' Familiar Science and Fancier's Journal,' 'Ornith- 

 ologist and Oologist,' and in the ' Hartford Times.' His collection of birds 

 and eggs is quite extensive, being especially rich in examples represent- 

 ing the different phases of plumage of the Hawks. We understand that an 

 effort is being made to have the entire collection, including his mammals 

 and numerous Indian curiosities, removed to Hartford, Conn., for perma- 

 nent preservation. 



Dr. H. A. Atkins, a well-known ornithologist of Michigan, died at his 

 home in Locke, Ingham Co., Mich., on the 19th of May, at the age of 63 

 years. Dr. Atkins was a frequent contributor for many years to the 

 'Ornithologist and Oologist.' and occasional notes from his pen were 

 published in the 'Bulletin' of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, the 'Amer- 

 ican Naturalist.' and elsewhere. 



Several new natural history serials have appeared within the last three 

 months which give more or less attention to ornithology, among which 

 are the following : 'The Hoosier Naturalist,' published monthly at Val- 

 paraiso, Ind., of which the first number is dated August, 1885; 'The 

 Naturalists' Companion,' a monthly published at Brockport, N. Y., the 

 first number of which is dated July, 1S85 ; and 'The Agassiz Journal,' a 

 monthly published at Lynn, Mass., of which three or four numbers have 

 already appeared. With this journal has been merged "The Young 

 Oologist,' formerly published at Albion, N. Y., and also the 'Naturalists' 

 Advertiser and American Osprey.' 'The Museum.' formerly published at 

 Philadelphia, has been merged with the 'American Antiquarian,' published 

 at Clinton, Wise. 



