^"^1910^"] ^^^^"^ Literature. 237 



endemic species." Tlie following six subspecies are described as new: 

 (1) Canachites canadensis atratus, (2) Lagopus rupestris kellogce, (3) Ceryle 

 alajon caurina, (4) Dryobates pubescens glacialis, (5) Passerella iliaca sinuosa, 

 (6) Penthestes rufescens vivax. 



In this district of excessive humidity Mr. Grinnell notes "an increase 

 in the extent of the black markings and a darkening of the shades of 

 brown and green, and a reduction in the general size, and disproportionate 

 shortening of the wings and tail," in comparison with the species of the 

 Sitkan fauna to the southward and of the Yukon fauna to the northward, 

 these features characterizing, in varying degree, the new forms here de- 

 scribed. The "four obvious en\aronmental conditions," as compared with 

 the interior are stated to be (1) an extreme amount of precipitation, (2) 

 a high relative humidity of the atmosphere, (3) a large percentage of 

 cloudy days, and (4) a more uniform temperature, due to impeded radia- 

 tion. He takes occasion to explain that the "melanism," or increased 

 intensification of color, is not due directly to precipitation but rather to 

 cloudiness and excessive humidity — as we had supposed was generally 

 recognized. Also that the "melanism" is inherited, as shown by the newly 

 hatched young, and not acquired during the life of the individual. This 

 and allied questions are discussed at some length near the close of the 

 paper, which will be welcomed as a valuable contribution to the ornithology 

 of a hitherto little known but intensely interesting area. — J. A. A. 



McGregor's 'A Manual of Philippine Birds.' ' — A manual of Philippine 

 birds, giving descriptions of the species in convenient form, has evidently 

 been long needed by students of Philippine ornithology, especially those 

 resident in the Philippine Archipelago where libraries well stocked with 

 ornithological works are naturally few. Mr. McGregor has therefore done 

 a good service in supplying this need. The work has been issued in two 

 parts, continuously paged, and may thus be bound together as a compact, 

 handy volume of nearly 800 pages. Keys and diagnoses of the higher 

 groups, with keys to the species, facilitate its use, and sufficient bibliographi- 

 cal references are given under the species to enable the reader to refer to 

 original sources for further information. The work is well planned and 

 carefully prepared, and will thus bear comparison with the best standard 

 works of its class. 



The technical name of the species is followed by an English name, such 

 references to the literature as are deemed necessary, including the synonymy, 

 and by "such native names as seem to be commonly used with some degree 

 of accuracy." Then is given the distribution, by islands in alphabetic 

 sequence, with the authority for the records. The descriptions include 

 the external characters and measurements of usually both young and adult 



1 A Manual | of | Philippine Birds | By | Richard | C. McGregor | Part I | Galliformes 

 to Eurylsemiformes | [Seal] Manila | Bureau of Printing | 1909 — 8vo, pp. i-x + 1- 

 412. "Actual date of publication, April 15, 1909." Part II, Passeriformes. Pp. 

 xi-xvi + 413-769. " Actual date of publication, January 31, 1910." 



