Vol. xxin „ M T ._, 



I9 os itecent Literature. 4.3 7 



nicul/ts, and Ammodromus — three of them proposed by Swainson in 1827, 

 is less easily decided, although Mr. Oberholser considers that they "must 

 apparently be changed." He accordingly proceeds to transfer the cur- 

 rently recognized species of Deadromis Eyton to Xiphorhynchus, and to 

 replace the superceded Dendrorms by the new name Xipkornis\ Vermi- 

 vora is made to replace Helminthopkila \ Cotumtculus is replaced by 

 Ammodramtis, and a new name, Ammospiza, is provided for the group 

 currently known as Ammodromus. As stated elsewhere [an tea, pp. 400- 

 407), we consider these changes unfortunate and undesirable, because 

 unnecessary. — J. A. A. 



Forbush on the Decrease of Birds and Means for their Protection. — In 

 a ' Special Report ' of more than a hundred pages, made under the direc- 

 tion of the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture, 1 Mr. Forbush has 

 compiled a mass of information on this subject of the utmost interest and 

 importance. It is based largely upon replies to circulars sent out in July, 

 1903, to naturalists and other intelligent observers, soliciting information 

 regarding the decrease of birds in Massachusetts. Information of more 

 or less value was thus obtained from 217 correspondents. An analysis 

 of these reports, as presented by Mr. Forbush, indicates a great decrease 

 in the number of game birds, especially water-fowl and shore birds, and 

 also in most of the birds of prey, while most of the insectivorous and 

 song birds have well held their own, with local fluctuations in numbers, 

 for the most part readily explained. 



The subject matter of the Report is well arranged, and the evidence is 

 presented with fairness, unbiased by sentiment or any evident desire to 

 make out a case. In reference to the destruction of birds by the elements, 

 with special reference to the unusual weather of 1903-04— the June rain- 

 storms of 1903 and the severe winter following — it is gratifying to find 

 that while many species suffered severely, only the Purple Martin appears 

 to have met with a " lasting or permanent check." Regarding the general 

 subject, the "expert evidence," or the testimony of competent observers, 

 is summarized by counties, and the conclusion therefrom is "that with 

 the smaller species the natural balance of bird-life is now fairly constant 

 in Massachusetts and the neighboring States." The birds reported as 

 diminishing in numbers are then taken up by families, beginning with 

 the Grebes, and the evidence presented, contrasting present with former 

 conditions. Among the water birds, as the gulls, terns, ducks and geese, 

 some species have sutfered great decrease, although many of the ducks 



1 Special Report on the Decrease of certain Birds, and its Causes, with 

 Suggestions for Bird Protection. By Edward Howe Forbush. Prepared 

 under the direction of the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture. Fifty- 

 second Ann. Rep. Massachusetts State Board of Agric, pp. 429-543. with 

 2 pll. 1905. 



