VoLXXVIIJ jiecent Literature. 99 



ince of Manitoba, the former numbering 59 species, and the latter 268 

 species and 5 additional subspecies. Both lists are very carefully anno- 

 tated and throw much light on the ranges and manner of occurrence of the 

 mammals and birds in Manitoba. They are thus welcome and valuable 

 contributions to faunal literature. Here and there, mostly in the technical 

 names, a few typographical errors mar the otherwise excellent appearance 

 of the paper. 



Manitoba, about 250 miles square in area, is faunally partly Canadian 

 and partly Alleghanian; "a line drawn from the southeast corner to the 

 northwest corner," says the author, "would nearly demark these zones." 



As usual in all local bird lists of these days, the former abundance of 

 many species, in comparison with their present scarcity, is noted. Thus 

 the statements: "Formerly common and breeding; now nearly extinct"; 

 "much less common than formerly," etc., after many of the species of 

 wild fowl form a sad record of the passing away of species once apparently 

 in no danger of extirpation. On the other hand, the Prairie Hen, almost 

 unknown in INIanitoba in 1882, has since "spread with cultivation, and is 

 now abundant in all the settled parts" of the Province. A similar increase 

 in extent of range and numbers is noted for the Mourning Dove, Burrow- 

 ing Owl, and the unwelcome English Sparrow. 



In this connection attention should be called to Mr. Seton's great work 

 on the Mammals of Manitoba, just issued in two sumptuous royal octavo 

 volumes,* with over 1300 pages of text, 100 plates, 68 maps, and several 

 hundred text illustrations, the outcome of many years' observations. The 

 ornithologist will be especially interested in the part treating of the faunal 

 zones of not only Manitoba but of North America at large, with the accom- 

 panying full-page faunal map. There is naturally many incidental refer- 

 ences to birds in the work; besides, there are few ornithologists who have 

 not a strong interest in the life histories of mammals as well as birds. — 

 J. A. A. 



Cory's 'The Birds of the Leeward Islands.' - — This is (1) a summary of 

 the ornithological results of two expeditions to the Leeward Islands for the 

 Field Museum and (2) a list of the birds previously recorded from these 

 islands, which include Arubu, Curagao, Bonaire, Islas de Aves, Los Roques, 

 Orchilla, Blanquilla, Los Hermanos, Testigos, and Margarita. Each of 

 these islands is treated separately, its geographic position, extent, and 

 character being stated, followed by its ornithological bibliography, and a 

 list of the birds known to occur there, with a reference to the specimens 

 taken by the Field Museum expeditions. These lists are summarized in a 



1 Life Histories of Northern Animals: An Account of the Mammals of Manitoba. 

 Cliarles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1909. Two volumes, roy. 8vo. $18.00 net per 

 set. 



2 The Birds of the Leeward Islands, Caribbean Sea. By Charles B. Cory, Curator 

 of Department of Zoology, Field Museum of Natural History Publication No. 137. 

 Ornithological Series. Vol. I, No. 5, pp. 193-255, with map. Chicago, October, 

 1909. 



