^°^\m^^^] Recent Literature. 117 



two species and thirty-five plates, the text sheets and plates being unbound 

 in a folder. The work is beautifully prepared, the text handsomely printed 

 on handmade paper, the illustrations admirable color plates, each figure 

 being mounted separately on heavy paper, three to six on a plate. 



Under each family the eggs of the several species are discussed with 

 regard to their resemblances and systematic relationship, as well as their 

 variation in color and form; while much interesting information regarding 

 the depth of deposit of the pigment in the shell, and the composition of the 

 pigments, is presented. Following this is a page for each species, intended 

 to face the plate when bound, upon which is given the " Colour of shell, 

 colour of spotS; average dimensions, average weight of shell, texture of shell, 

 shape, nest, site of nest, number of eggs, breeding season, and duration of 

 incubation." As a purely " oological " work it is one of the best that has 

 appeared and could be studied with profit by those who desire to place 

 egg collecting on the plane of a science instead of allowing it to become a 

 mere fad as has too often been its fate in America. — W. S. 



Berlepsch on Birds of the Aru Islands. ' — This paper, while based 

 primarily upon a collection made by Dr. Hugo Merton from January to 

 May, 1908, is extended to include all species hitherto reported from the 

 islands. References to place of publication, type locality, and published 

 records for each species are given, which form a valuable summary of our 

 knowledge of the birds of this interesting group. A table is appended 

 showing the distribution of the species or related geographic races in New 

 Guinea and other neighboring islands. — W. S. 



Riley on Three New Birds from Canada - — In identifying a collec- 

 tion of birds taken on the 1911 Expedition of the Alpine Club of Canada 

 to Jasper Park, Yellowhead Pass, and the Mount Kobson region of British 

 Columbia and Alberta, Mr. Riley finds three races which he regards as 

 separable. A Pong Sparrow, Melospiza melodia inexpedata, is intermediate 

 between M. m. rufina and M. m. merrilli, apparently a case of very close 

 spHtting since the last form has been recently regarded as merely an inter- 

 mediate between rufina and montana. A Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca 

 altivagans, is based upon " two shghtly immature birds from Moose Branch 

 of the Smoky River " and some migrants from farther south. Mr. Riley's 

 studies of the Willow Ptarmigan lead him to recognize three forms in North 

 America, Lagopus lagopus alexandroe Grinnell from the southwestern 

 coast of Alaska, L. I. albus Gmehn from Hudson Bay to Siberia, and a 

 form from Ungava which he names L. I. ungavus. — W. S. 



1 Die Vogel der Aru-Inseln mit besonderer Beriicksichtigung der Sammlungen 

 des Herm Dr. H. Merton. Von Hans Graf von Berlepsch. Abhandl. der Senc- 

 kenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft, Bd. XXXIV, 1911. 



2 Descriptions of three New Birds from Canada. By J. H. Riley. Proc. Biol. 

 Soc. of Washington, XXIV, pp. 233-235. Nov. 28, 1911. 



