iSga] Recent Literature. 



173 



Cherrie on Costa Rican Birds. — -In two recent papers Mr. Cherrie has 

 made known some of the more important results of his recent work on 

 Costa Rican birds. The first* contains descriptions of two new genera, 

 eight new species, and one new subspecies, as follows: (i) Lopho- 

 tricciis sqtiatninicristatus minor, (2) L. zeledoni. (3) PachyrJiamphus or- 

 natus, (4) Dcconychura (gen. nov.) iypica, (5) Premnoplex (gen. nov., 

 type Margornis brunnescens Lawr.), (6) Vireo siiperciliaris (Ridgw. 

 MS.), (7) Basiletiterus salvini, (8) Grallaria lizanoi, (9) Myrmiceza 

 intermedia. There are notes also on Basileuterus delattrii, restricting 

 the name to the Costa Rican form, and renaming the Guatemalan form 

 B. salvini, as above. The Atlantic and Pacific forms o{ Arremon auran- 

 tiiro.'<tris are found to present slight diiferences, and in view of their 

 probably proving separable the name Arremon aurantiirostris saiiiratiis 

 is suggested for the dark-colored bird of the Atlantic slope. 



In the second paper, f which is reallj a continuation of the first, being 

 based on the same collection, contains an annotated list of 55 species, and 

 is a paper of much interest and importance. The annotations are often 

 based on large series of specimens, and relate to individual, seasonal, or 

 other variations, with often extended tables of measurements, and critical 

 remarks on the affinities and nomenclature of the species treated. Den- 

 drornis lazure/icei Kidgw. is considered a synonvm of D. nana Lawr., as 

 first shown by Mr. Elliot (Auk, VII, p. 174) and now conceded by Mr. 

 Ridgway. The D. lawrencei cottar icenais Ridgw. hence now becomes D. 

 nana cosiaricensis. Picolaptes gracilis is also referred to P. compressus, 

 of which measurements are given of 33 specimens. — J. A. A. 



Shufeldt on the Osteology of Arctic and Sub-Arctic Water Birds. J — 

 Since noticing this series of papers (Auk, VI, p. 333) Parts V to IX, 

 have appeared, treating of the Pufiins (Pt.V), Loons and Grebes (Pt. VI), 

 Gulls and Jaegers (Pts. VII and VIII), and Cliionis (Pt. IX). These Parts 

 are illustrated by 43 cuts in the text and 7 beautifully executed plates, il- 

 lustrating in detail the osteology of the various species treated. In respect 

 to the Alcidag, Dr. Shufeldt's conclusions bear out the arrangement of the 

 minor subdivisions adopted in the A. O. LT. Check-list, though written 

 we are informed, before the publication of that work, except that in his 

 opinion the positions of the genera Uria and Plaiitus should be trans- 

 posed, Uria being more nearly related to the Gulls than either Alca or 

 Plant as.. 



The Loons and Grebes are believed to be more closely i-elaled to each 



♦Description of New Genera, Species, and Subspecies of Birds from Costa Rica. 

 By George K. Cherrie, Taxidermist and Ornithologist of the Costa Rica National 

 Museum. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XIV, iSgi, pp. 337-346. 



tNoteson Costa Rican Birds. Ibid., pp. 517-537. 



iContribufions to the Comparative Osteology of Arctic and Sub-Arctic Water- 

 birds. Parts V-IX. By R. W. Shufeldt, M. D., C. M. Z. S., etc. Journ. Anat. and 

 Phys., XXIV, 1890, pp. 89-116, pll. vi-viii, pp. 169-187, pll. xi, xii, pp. 543-566, pl.xxv, 

 1891, pp. 60-77, 509-525, pll. xi, xii. 



