V °!'s^ VI ] Recent Literature. 367 



twelve pages devoted to the ' Key to Families,' which follow each other 

 in arbitrary sequence. Then follows the ' Key to the Species ' (pp. 25-130), 

 arranged in systematic order from the Grebes to the Oystercatchers. 

 Besides the numerous cuts of structural parts, as bill, feet, tail, etc., each 

 species is figured, either full length or half length, to show the most 

 characteristic parts, the illustrations occupying far more space than the 

 text. This is limited to brief diagnoses, in which the distinctive 

 features are emphasized by use of special type. In the case of the Ducks, 

 head figures are given of both sexes of each species; and throughout 

 figures are used to the fullest extent to which they could apparently be 

 of use to the student. 



With page 131 begins what will be apparently Part II of the work — a 

 formal description of the Water Birds of Eastern North America, giving 

 brief, nontechnical descriptions of each species in its various plumages, 

 with an account of its geographical range, and nest and eggs, followed by 

 a few lines, in larger type, devoted to the life history of the species. 

 Though not so stated, pp. 131-135 are apparently given as a sample of the 

 main text that is to follow. 



The illustrations, by Mr. Edward Knobel, are well adapted to their pur- 

 pose, though not always artistic. The small line drawings of bills and 

 feet, etc., are very expressive, while the larger wash drawings of heads 

 and full-length figures are in general graceful and effective, except where 

 too much reduced in reproduction. The same figures are repeatedly 

 used in different connections, some of the wash drawings, greatly 

 reduced for use in the keys, appearing again on a larger scale in the 

 body of the work. 



With the analytical keys, based largely on size, and the prodigality of 

 illustrations throughout the work, it would seem that the difficulty of 

 identifying our Water Birds is reduced to its simplest terms, and that 

 the author's hope that by the aid here furnished "the novice will be able 

 to identify accurately any of our birds" is not too optimistic. — J. A. A. 



Knobel's 'Field Key to the Land Birds.' 1 — This is another 'field 

 book,' the purpose of which is " to enable any lover of birds, without 

 previous knowledge or study of the subject, to identify readily any of 

 our wild birds." The 'Field Key' consists of nine colored plates, 3I 

 by 6 inches in size, on which about 150 species of the land birds of the 

 northeastern United States are grouped according to size, the number and 

 figures to a plate averaging about seventeen. The figures are fairly 

 well drawn, and the size is not too small to permit the advantageous use 

 of colors. In the present case, however, we cannot say the color results 



1 Field Key | to the | Land Bird | — | Illustrated | — | By | Edward Knobel 

 I Boston I Bradlee Whidden | 1899— i2mo, 3 11., pp. 1-55, pll. i-ix, colored, 

 and various text cuts. $1.75. 



