2o8 Jiecetit Literature. \ h^\ 



and lithographic plates have been reproduced. This paper, though the 

 facts it presents, after the lapse of twenty years, have ceased to be novel, 

 has lost little of its interest and importance, and is well worthy of a new 

 lease of life in an English dress. Dr. Shufeldt has therefore done a dis- 

 tinct service to ornithology in thus placing the paper so conveniently be- 

 fore English readers. He has also added a few footnotes, and given, at 

 the close, a resume of recent views of taxonomers on the systematic posi- 

 tion and relationships of the Owls. — J- A. A. 



Merriam and Preble on the Summer Birds of Western Maryland. — 

 This brochure from the Reports of the Maryland Geological Survey' 

 consists of two papers ; the first, by Dr. C. Hart Men iam (/. c, pp. 291-293), 

 treats of ' The Life Zones and Areas of Allegany County,' and deals with 

 the general floral and faunal features of the region ; the second, by Mr. 

 E. A. Preble (pp. 294-307), gives an annotated list of ' The Summer Birds 

 of Western Maryland,' numbering 100 species, and all are believed to breed 

 in the region. According to Dr. Merriam, " The fauna of Allegany 

 County is a mixture of Carolinian and Alleghanian species and comprises, 

 so far as known, no boreal islands. The Potomac Valley, and valle\s 

 of the principal streams, are Carolinian; the upland, Alleghanian." 

 In Garret County, above 260c feet, "cold sphagnum and alder swamps 

 abound," which ''contain a strong admixture of higli Transition and 

 even Boreal species. . . . The cutting oft of the spruce and hemlock 

 from these small boreal islands lets in the hot sun and results, in numer- 

 ous instances, in changing the fauna and flora from Canadian to Alle- 

 ghanian." 



We are suiprised to notice a number of typographical errors in the 

 technical names, for which doubtless the authors are not responsible. 

 The paper is a valuable contribution to our knowledge of the faunal 

 character and summer range of the birds of western Maryland. — J. A. A. 



Loomis on California Water Birds.- — This is No. V of Mr. Loomis's 

 series of papers on ' California Watei- Birds,' and gi\es the results of his 

 observations made in the vicinity' of Monterey from May i to June 12, 

 1897. A 'Summary of Movements' fortius period of observation is 

 giyen, followed by some further discussion of the ' Cause of Return 



1 The Fauna and Flora. The Life Zones and areas of Allegany County. 

 The Summer Birds of Western Maryland. By C. Hart Merriam and Edward 

 A. Preble, Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. Agriculture. Maryland Geological 

 Survey, Allegany County Report, pp. 291-307. Nov., 1900. 



^ California Water Birds. No. V. Vicinity of Monterey in May and early 

 June. By Leverett M. Loomis, Curator of the Department of Ornithology. 

 Proc. California Acad, of Sciences, 3d Ser., Z06I., Vol. H, No. 5, pp. 349-363. 

 Issued Nov. 24, 1900. 



