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tiecent Literature. Os 



Fannin's 'Check List of British Columbia Birds.'* — In this list 30S 

 species and subspecies are enumerated as occurring in British Columbia. 

 Most of the records are based on the author's own observations, although 

 some are entered upon the authority of several of his friends, and others 

 are taken from Chapman's report on the Streator Collection, from Ridg- 

 way's Manual, and from other published sources. Under each species 

 brief notes are given upon its abundance, seasons of occurrence, and dis- 

 tribution in the Province, with occasionally some remark upon its habits. 

 The List closes with a short appendix describing the character of the 

 country in different parts of the Province, and giving some valuable 

 tables of rain and snow fall. The work is illustrated with an uncolored 

 lithograph of Falco colnmharius suckleyi. 



Mr. Fannin's records enable him to extend the range of a number of 

 species, especially among the water birds, considerably beyond what has 

 been generally supposed to be their limits. On the other hand we note 

 that he occasionally admits to the List some name that does not at pres- 

 ent meet with general acceptance, — Detii/roica cestiva morcomi and 

 j^c/imop/iorus clarkii Ave examples, — and it seems not unlikely that his 

 further researclies may lead him to change his views as to the identity of 

 one or two of the subspecies he has recorded. He regrets that as yet a 

 list of the birds of British Columbia must necessarily be incomplete, and 

 he expresses the hope that the present List may "stimulate further and 

 more careful research." In spite of the large amount of information he 

 has now given us, there is, of course, a great deal yet to be learned, and 

 the Province offers attractive fields which are still virgin soil to the 

 ornithologist. — C. F. B. 



Chapman on the Birds of Corpus Christi.f — In five or six weeks of 

 March and April spent in a field where others had been before him Mr. 

 Chapman succeeded in finding much that was new and interesting to 

 repay his efforts. 



After a brief sketch of the character of the vegetation and of the birds 

 frequenting the different growths, followed by some observations on the 

 spring migration and the fannal position of "southwestern" Texas, 

 comes the main portion of the paper, 'Remarks on certain species ob- 

 served.' Under this head are given various interesting notes upon 

 thirty-four species. These relate in great part to the habits of the birds. 

 One new subspecies is described, Cardinalis cardinalts canicaudus, its 

 habitat being stated as "southwestern Texas, south into northeastern 



*Check List | of | British Columbia Birds ] by | John Fannin, Curator Provincial 

 Museum, Victoria, B. C. | Associate Member American Ornithologists' Union. | 

 September, 1891. | [Seal] | Victoria. B. C. : | Printed by Richard Wolfenden, 

 Printer to the Queen's | Most Excellent Majesty. Pp. xiv, 49. PI. 



tOn the Birds observed near Corpus Christi, Texas, during parts ot March and 

 April, 1891. By Frank M. Chapman. Bulletin American Museum of Natural 

 History, Vol. Ill, No. 2, Art. XXII, pp. 315-328. 



