288 Recent Literature. [juU 



grape may be successfully produced." As already said, the general dis- 

 cussion of these 'Life Zones' is to be given in Part I of the Report, which 

 is to appear later. We have here, however, some intimation of the 

 great importance of the results of this well-planned and most successfully 

 executed biological survey of a region of unexcelled interest to the 

 naturalist. — J. A. A. 



Hatch's Notes on the Birds of Minnesota. 1 — This volume is by far the 

 most considerable contribution to the ornithology of Minnesota that has 

 yet appeared. All previous publications have been of the nature of 

 briefly annotated lists or fragmentary accounts of the birds of limited 

 areas. The present, however, is a substantial little book of 4S7 pages, 

 aiming to present a formal account of the ornithology of the State as a 

 whole. Each species is dealt with at more or less length, to some of tiie 

 most interesting or important ones several pages being devoted. The 

 general distribution within the State, manner of representation, dates of 

 arrival and departure, habits, song, nidification, etc., are treated of in 

 nearly all cases. The matter is presented in an attractive and entertain- 

 ing style which makes the book readable and interesting to all and will 

 serve to recommend it especially to a class of readers among whom it 

 will largely circulate within the State where it is issued. Not a few of 

 the histories are written in the author's most exuberant, enthusiastic, and, 

 it may be added, fanciful strain, presenting word-pictures of a vivid and 

 lively kind which break acceptably into the usually monotonous and 

 unimaginative character of such writings. Some of these sketches are 

 perhaps a little too full of sentiment and imagery, but if so it is a fault 

 that the general reader at least will no doubt readily condone. The pages 

 of the book are here and there marred, in the opinion of the reviewer, 

 by the introduction of ironical or vindictive remarks directed chiefly 

 against what are denominated "poaching collectors" "carpet conclud- 

 ers," "the galloping herd of itinerant ornithologists," etc., etc.; but with 

 an occasional thrust at offenders of higher rank, some of the foremost 

 ornithologists of the land not escaping unscathed. 



Dr. Philo L. Hatch, the author of these 'Notes,' coming to Minnesota in 

 the early days of its history and devoting himself methodically to the 

 study of the birds from the very first, has long been looked upon as the 

 natural and unquestioned representative of the ornithological interests of 

 the State. In the early days he stood almost alone, and enjoyed, so far as 

 the observation of certain groups of birds was concerned, the exceptional 

 and never-to-be-repeated opportunities afforded by a country just emerging 

 from a state of almost primitive wildness. He was zealous and enthusi- 



1 The Geological and Natural History Survey of | Minnesota. | — | First Report | 

 of the I State Zoologist, | accompanied with | Notes on the Birds of Minnesota, j By 

 Dr. P. L. Hatch. | — | Henry F. Nachtrieb, State Zoologist. | — | June. 1892. | — 

 I Minneapolis: | Harrison & Smith, Printers. | 1892. — 8°. pp. 487. 



