29O. Recent Literature. VhAy 



and Sialiu mexicana. Several other species to which more or less partic- 

 ular interest attaches might perhaps be included in this list, there being a 

 general vagueness and lack of detail in the records relating to them. 

 Indeed it will probably be felt by the critical reader that throughout the 

 book a little closer adherence to dry detail and a greater array of facts and 

 positive statements might have been introduced without detracting from 

 its literary merit, and would have much enhanced the value of the work to 

 students of ornithology. 



To be more exact, Ammo d 'ramus caudacutus should have been A. c. 

 uelsoni, Seiurus novcboracensis, S. ti. ?iotabilis and Quiscalus quiscula, ^>. 

 q. ceneus. There are several similar distinctions of more recent date and 

 perhaps less importance that might have been made. 



The following Minnesota birds find no place in the 'Notes' : Larus 

 frankltni, Tringa fuscicollis, Tritiga alpina pacijica, Sfeotyto cunicularia 

 hypogica, Chordeiles zurginianus hetiryi, Tyramius verticalis, Leucosticte 

 tep/irocotis, Acanthi* linaria rostrata, Rhynckofhancs mccotvnii, Atnmo- 

 dramus hensloivii, Zonotrichia intermedia and Seiurus motaci/la. Some 

 of these are common and well known species with which Dr. Hatch is well 

 acquainted and their omission is due without doubt to some neglect or 

 oversight. Several are only stragglers, but have been conspicuously 

 reported, the identification resting upon the capture and preservation of 

 specimens, which it is needless to say is the only entirely satisfactory 

 foundation for the recording of new or exceptional facts. The volume is 

 without tables, general summaries or any description of the topography of 

 the State. There is no discussion of the faunal areas represented within 

 the limits of Minnesota, nor is there any reference whatever to the inter- 

 esting features presented by the State as a zodgeographical area and so 

 well exemplified in its bird life. This is the more to be regretted since the 

 author from his long residence in the State should be exceptionally well 

 fitted to treat this phase of the subject in an intelligent and interesting 

 manner. The classification and nomenclature are those of the A. O. U. 

 Check-list. Following each biographical sketch is a statement of specific 

 characters adapted for the most part from the descriptions given in the 

 Ninth Volume of the Pacific Railroad Survey Reports. In order to assist 

 the many who will use the -Notes,' who know birds only by their common 

 names, Professor Nachtrieb has added a carefully compiled list of common 

 names. A very good index, also prepared by Professor Nachtrieb, 

 completes and enriches these nearly five hundred pages of bird lore, the 

 appearance of which has been so long and expectantly looked forward to 

 by students of Minnesota ornithology. — T. S. R. 



Rhoads's Observations on British Columbia and Washington Birds. 1 — 

 This paper is a final report of a collecting trip, some of the results of 

 which have been already given in 'The Auk' (Vol. X, pp. 16-24). The 



1 The Birds observed in British Columbia and Washington during Spring and Sum- 

 mer, 1892. By Samuel N. Rhoads— Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1893, pp. 21-65. 



