474 Recent Literature. [july 



Dr. Chapman's text is admirable and the whole conception of the work 

 is another illustration of his ability to feel the pulse, as it were, of the bird 

 loving public and provide what they need. The several line cuts which 

 are scattered through the text might well have been omitted as they have 

 not come out very satisfactorily on the rough surfaced paper, that of the 

 Red-shouldered Hawk intended to illustrate the barred tail showing this 

 appendage solid black. 



The scientific nomenclature wisely follows that of the A. O. U. 'Check- 

 List' and does not, like certain recent publications — even some issued by 

 the Biological Survey, attempt to be up to date by using names not yet 

 considered by the A. O. U. Committee and which the popular reader 

 cannot find in the books with which he is familiar. If we do not follow 

 a standard nomenclature in works intended for the general public we had 

 better omit scientific names entirely. 



In his English names Dr. Chapman also follows the 'Check-List' with 

 two notable exceptions. Water-Thrush appears with the prefix "Northern" 

 and Crossbill with that of "American." The abbreviated names have 

 never met with favor and are ambiguous as there is another Water-Thrush 

 and two other Crossbills. While we heartily endorse "Northern Water- 

 Thrush" we prefer "Red Crossbill" which has been suggested by several 

 writers, and trust that the Committee may adopt these changes in the next 

 edition of the 'Check-List.' 



We heartily recommend Dr. Chapman's little book to those desiring 

 to name the birds they see, as probably the best pocket guide that has yet 

 appeared. — W. S. 



Horsfall on the Habits of the Sage Grouse. 1 — In 'The Auk' for 1900, 

 Mr. Frank Bond has an article and an original drawing illustrating the 

 nuptial performance of the Sage Cock. He corrects Dr. Newberry's 

 statement that the bird drags its wings Turkey-like and describes in detail 

 a process of bending over and pushing the distended breast sacks over 

 the ground, thus producing the wearing away of the feathers on these 

 parts, something that was not previously explained. 



Those who attended the A. O. U. meeting in New York in November, 

 1919, and saw Mr. W. L. Finley's motion pictures of these birds in action 

 were surprised to see that Mr. Bond's account is apparently as much 

 in need of correction as was Dr. Newberry's and that the bird's breast 

 is held high and never touches the ground at all, the edges of the wings 

 being rubbed over it when the sacks are distended. Mr. Horsfall who 

 accompanied Mr. Finley now describes the activities of the mating birds 

 and presents several sketches and a color plate to illustrate the successive 

 stages of the performance. His account of the wearing away of the 

 breast feathers is however by no means as clear and explicit as might be 

 desired. — W. S. 



1 Zoologica. Scientific Publication of the N. Y. Zool. Soc. 



