300 Recent Literature. joy 
It seemed quite a coincidence that he should pass this query on to 
me just when I was suffering for similar information, but it confirmed 
my observation. Since it is well known that pellets of indigestible 
things are frequently thrown up by some young birds, the best that I 
could suggest was that this might be these same things, which, in 
regurgitation, had taken on the form of the usual dejections; but not 
being able to see any of these pellicles after they were dropped, I, of 
course, could not be sure. Cannot Mr. Herrick, or some close student 
of the habits of birds tell us something of this? 
I had hoped to observe further before mentioning this, but my oppor- 
tunities are very limited: so I concluded that I had better note it in the 
July ‘Auk,’ so that the host of nest watchers this season may, if they 
please, be on the lookout for the matter. So far this year I have seen 
nothing of the sort in casually watching two nests of Robins in my 
yard. 
By the way, the male Oriole noted sometimes regurgitated food to the 
young, but the mother always came with a particle showing in her 
mouth. Mr. Herrick’s observation that the parent ate the dejected 
pellicle was new and interesting to me; for, on the contrary, I have seen 
the Cardinal and others assiduously wipe the beak on a twig, as if the 
performance had been disagreeable; but then this occurs after food is 
taken, as well. I have noticed that the little Social Sparrows (Hair-bird) 
may have one place of deposit for the pellicles. For one brood they 
used the dead limbs of a plum tree exclusively, and none was ever 
dropped on the way. 
There is a large field here for further observation. Let us hope for 
more of this, and for something further on this special topic.— JAMES 
NEWTON BASKETT, Mexico, Mo. 
RECENT LITERATURE. 
Rothschild and Hartert’s ‘ Review of the Ornithology of the Galapagos 
Islands.’'— The Galapagos Islands have come to be ornithologically 
classic ground in consequence of the numerous special papers that have 
appeared upon the birds of this exceedingly interesting archipelago. In 
1 A Review of the Omithology of the Galapagos Islands. With Notes on 
the Webster-Harris Expedition. By Hon. Walter Rothschild, Ph.D., and 
Ernst Hartert. Novitates Zoologice, Vol. VI, pp. 85-205, pll. v and vi, 
August, 1899. 
