Vol. XVII 
£900 
Recent Literature. 313 
points. Chapter II describes the methods of the bird photographer. 
The suggestions given here are offered as hints to the bird photographer, 
and serve to show what an endless amount of patience and ingenuity 
are necessary to secure good results. 
Hitherto much has been accomplished in the direction of photograph- 
ing nests and eggs, and in some cases the young birds, but the author of 
the present volume is the pioneer in this country to attempt making a 
collection of actual photographs of adult birds with the object of contrib- 
uting toward their biography. A knowledge of the bird’s habits is 
necessary to successful bird photography, and many details of the daily 
life of the subject must necessarily be forced upon the student who 
attempts to portray them. Bird photography, as practised by the author 
of the present volume, therefore becomes a most instructive teacher of the 
ornithologist; and many facts will be recorded while engaged in its 
pursuit, the existence of which might otherwise have escaped notice. 
The remaining chapters are devoted to life histories of the species 
treated. Mr. Chapman’s field experiences are charmingly written, and 
the reader cannot fail to express a desire from time to time that he might 
have been permitted to actually witness the scenes related. 
The numerous magnificent half-tones with which these pages are illus- 
trated — showing in some instances different stages of growth from the 
downy young to the adult birds — have never been surpassed. Many of 
these pictures, while they give evidence of the greatest photographic 
skill, are especially noteworthy because of their scientific interest. 
How invaluable would bea series of good photographs of the Great 
Auk, clustered as they once were in all their abundance on Funk 
Island? Orone of the immense flocks of Wild Pigeons passing across 
the sky as in years past. In place of these we must be content with humble 
description. But through the medium of the present volume, the species 
treated — the great masses of cliff-nesting water-birds on the Bird Rocks 
in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the armies of Brown Pelicans on their 
native strand in their Florida home —wili be seen by future generations 
of bird-lovers as they exist at the present time. 
Aside from its popular interest to those who wish to get near to nature, 
this volume cannot be too highly commended for its scientific value; . 
and the photographs of the bird colonies as here depicted, will forever 
remain monuments to Mr. Chapman’s skill as a photographer and as an 
indefatigable ornithologist.— J. R. 
Farr’s Check List of New York Birds.'— This List was originally pre- 
pared by Dr. Farr for use in collecting data for a ‘ Bulletin’ on the birds 
1 Check List of New York Birds. By Marcus S. Farr, D. Sc. Bulletin of the 
New York State Museum, No. 35, Vol. VII. Albany: University of the 
State of New York, 1900. 8vo, pp. 193-409. Price, 25 cents. 
