1920 J Recent Literature. 485 



Dr. Collinge made good application of this method in his report 5 on 

 the Barn Owl, founded on the contents of 12 stomachs and more than 

 300 pellets. The investigation like all others relating to this species is 

 emphatically in the bird's favor. 



A study of 'The Food of the Nightjar (Capvimulgus europaeus Linn- 

 aeus) ' 6 is prefaced by a statement that this species had been greatly 

 diminished in numbers by persecution because of its being considered a 

 hawk and on account of general prejudice and superstition due to its 

 nocturnal, hence little-known, habits. This is unfortunate as the species 

 is almost exclusively beneficial. The case parallels that of the American 

 Nighthawk and Dr. Collinge's conclusion like that of bird-lovers in this 

 country, is that these birds should receive the maximum of protection. — 

 W. L. M. 



The Ornithological Journals 



Bird Lore. XXII, No. 2. March-April, 1920. 



A Bird Watcher in France. By Dr. Herbert R. Mills. 



Field Sparrows. By F. N. Whitman. — Some excellent photographic 

 illustrations of the nest and young 



A Surprised Crow. By Verdi Burtch. — An amusing set of photographs. 



An Unusual Horned Lark Family. By Frank Levy. — Eight eggs all 

 of which hatched. 



Migration Group Chart. By S. A. Hausman. — A good diagramatic 

 representation of residents, summer residents, etc. 



The Plumages of North American Birds. By F. M. Chapman, Color 

 plate by L. A. Fuertes. — The Arizona, Florida, California and Santa 

 Cruz Jays. 



Dr. A. A. Allen in the School Department and the Editor on the pre- 

 ceding page dwell upon the importance of accuracy in observation. The 

 latter suggests the desirability of writing down an accurate description 

 of all parts of the bird that may be under observation so as to compel 

 the observer to gain a complete idea of what he sees while Dr. Allen urges 

 that teachers do not hesitate to question the accuracy of children's identi- 

 fications when they would seem to be unlikely. Too much emphasis 

 cannot be placed upon the importance of this matter. The carelessness 

 is not limited to children but to many of those whose observations are 

 being published as part of the records of the National or State govern- 

 ments or of clubs and societies and we are forced to rely upon the rigorous 

 pruning and questioning of an editor to save us from a mass of absolutely 

 worthless records. The plan practiced by certain careful observers of 



5 Some remarks on the food of the Barn-Owl {Strix flammea Linn.), Journ. 

 Wild Bird Investigation Soc, Vol. 1, No. 1, Nov. 1919, pp. 9-10. 

 e Journ. Ministry Agr., Vol. 26, No. 10, Jan. 1920, pp. 992-5. 



