1911 J Recent Literature. 279 



warrant the conclusion that such is solely or mainly their effect in all cases." 

 In the discussion of white markings that follows these general remarks, 

 the conspicuousness and directive function of white markings that are 

 concealed except in flight is insisted upon. The revealing function of 

 white wing and tail markings "during flight is entirely in harmony with 

 their concealing function when at rest." In Thayer's discussion of the 

 "disruptive effects of color patterns," the author states that the "evidence 

 here offered of their value as revealing characters, must not be regarded as 

 contradicting anything but the application of the 'concealing' principle 

 to birds in flight." 1 



The following may be taken as the author's general summing of the 

 evidence regarding coloration and environment: "With a preference for 

 close, leafy coverts and secluded forest ways go the somberer tones, the 

 monochrome coloration, shy, furtive habits. With a preference for open 

 woods and roving ways, greater distances and separations to be adjusted, 

 have come the greatest variety of top-patterns among birds, many of 

 them showing excellent devices for a revealing flight from the opening 

 wing." As a whole the paper is a welcome contribution of fact and dis- 

 cussion to a very interesting subject. — J. A. A. 



Grinnell's 'American Game-Bird Shooting.' — Grinnell's 'Ameri- 

 can Game-Bird Shooting' 1 comprises three parts, treating respectively 

 of 'American Game Birds,' in which the species and their habits are de- 

 scribed (pp. 1-301); 'Upland Shooting' (pp. 303-507); and 'The Shooting 

 of the Future' (pp. 511-558). The first part is ornithological, treating at 

 length and in a very comprehensive manner of the habits and distribution 

 of the Woodcock and Snipe, and the various species of Quail and Grouse of 

 North America. For the purposes of the present book the author has 

 "considered as game birds only the species that are commonly hunted with 

 dogs," and it thus includes only those above indicated. The second part 

 relates to the various methods employed in taking the birds, and such aids 

 to shooting as dogs, guns, and ammunition. The third part comprises 

 'A Look Backward,' in which is historically set forth the great decline 

 in the original abundance of game birds in this country and the causes 

 that have produced it, and an account of the introduction of exotic game 

 birds to replenish the havoc wrought through excessive destruction of 

 native game birds. There is also an account of the efforts that have been 

 made to restock exhausted covers and a plea for greater self-control on 

 the part of gunners as an aid in promoting good shooting in the future. 



Dr. Grinnell writes with the authority of one thoroughly master of his 

 subject, and his 'American Game-Bird Shooting' may well interest a 



1 American Game-Bird Shooting. By George Bird Grinnell. With colored 

 plates of Ruffed Grouse and Bobwhite, 48 full-page portraits of Game Birds and 

 Shooting Scenes, and many text cuts. New York: Forest and Stream Publishing 

 Company. [Copyright, 1910.) Svo, pp. xviii + 558. $2.50 net; postage, 25 cents. 



