'8S6.] Recent Literature. 47 S 



subject of bird migration, its causes and methods, based on the wi-iter's 

 long experience and mature reflection. The 'facts' here presented are of 

 highest interest; the theories and suggestions, while original as regards 

 their presentation in the present connection, are but to a small extent 

 novel, and in the main confirmatory of hypotheses previously suggested; 

 but for this reason they lose none of their interest or value. The paper 

 is not only an able presentation of the subject in its general aspects, but 

 is a valuable contribution to this interesting subject, through the pres- 

 entation of much new and valuable matter. — J. A. A. 



Minor Ornithological Publications. — The 'American Naturalist,' Vol. 

 XIX, 1SS5, contains, besides extracts and abstracts froni other publications, 

 the following (Nos. 1037-1041) : 



1037. A Crotu\^Corvus americaniis] Cracki?ig Clams. By S. Lockwood. 

 American Naturalist, Vol. XIX, April, 1SS5, p. 407.- — By dropping them 

 on a fence. 



1038. The Turkey Buzzard breeding in Pennsylvania. By Witmer 

 Stone. Ibid, p. 407. — Several instances of its breeding in Chester County 

 recorded. 



1039. Birds out of Season — a Tragedy. By Charles Aldrich, Ibid., 

 May, 1885, pp. 513, 514- — A Chewink {PiJ>ilo eryt/irophtkahnus) ., winter- 

 ing at Webster, la., was finally killed by a Blue Jay, after it had for weeks 

 braved a temperature of — -20° to — 35*^'. 



1040. Harelda glacialis at New Orleans. By G. Kohn. Ibid., Sept. 

 1885, p. S96. — An old male in winter plumage was shot on Lake Catherine 

 Feb. 28, 18S5. 



1041. The Problem of the Soaring Bird. By I. Lancaster. Ibid., Nov. 

 and Dec. 1S85, pp. 1055-1058, 1162-1171. 



'Science,' Vols. V and VI, 1885, contains the following (Nos. 1042-1054) : 



1042. The coming of the robin and other early birds. By Dr. C. Hart 

 Merriam. Science, Vol. IV, pp. 571, 572. — On the arrival of the Robin 

 {^Merula tnigratoria) at various places in North America in the spring of 

 1884, and a summary statement of the average dates of arrival of various 

 other species in the latitude of New York City and Southern Connecti- 

 cut. 



1043. A second phalatix in a carinate bird's 'iving. By Dr. G. Baur. 

 Ibid., V, May i, 1885, p. 355. — "A rudiment of a second cartilaginous 

 phalanx in the third digit" found "in an embryo of Anas domestica." 



1044. ^^ complete fibula in an adult living carinate-bird \_Pandion 

 carolinensis^. By Dr. G. Baur. Ibid., May 8, 1885, p. 375. 



1045. A complete fibula in an adult living carinate-bird \^Colymbus 

 sepfentrionalis\ By Dr. R. W. Shufeldt. /^/(f., June 26, 1885, p. 516. 



1046. Untimely death of a chippiiig sparroxv. By W. L. Poteat. Ibid., 

 VI, July 24, 1885. — Hung by the neck by becoming entangled in a horse- 

 hair from its nest. 



1047. The Audubon collectioti of birds presented to Amherst college. 

 Editorial. Ibid., Aug. 14, 1885, 140. — "There are about six hundred skins 



