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Recent Literature. [April 



What object there can have been in publishing such a worthless pro- 

 duction as this (10,000 copies were distributed), it is hard to imagine. 

 We notice it chiefly to call attention to the folly and uselessness of issuing 

 local lists that are based on few and imperfect observations. Every be- 

 ginner in ornithology seems beset by a desire to print a list of the birds of 

 his own neighborhood, and thinks himself quite competent for the task. 

 The fact is there are few things that require such long training and ex- 

 ceptional talents to make the results of real value. Even then a list should 

 not be published unless based on years of constant field-work or unless 

 the region treated is practically unknown ground. It is, nevertheless, an 

 excellent thing for the beginner to prepare his local list. — but for his 

 own use. It gives him some valuable practice; its incompleteness may 

 stimulate him to further discoveries; and it will doubtless afford him that 

 most invaluable lesson, — how easy it is to make mistakes, and many of 

 them.— C. F. B. 



The Quadrate Bone in Birds.* — A paper by Miss Mary L. Walker treat-, 

 of the quadrate bone of birds, describing one or more specimens from 

 typical examples of each of the various groups proposed by Huxley. The 

 quadrate is shown to have a characteristic shape in the different species 

 examined, and from hastily running over a considerable number of crania 

 it is apparent that the quadrate possesses much taxonomic importance. 

 Its value, however, will doubtless prove to be comparative rather than 

 positive, and will be found in the fact that it furnishes an additional point 

 in summing up the evidence in any given case. Some of the facts brought 

 forward in the paper show very clearly that, like most characters of birds, 

 the form of the quadrate will need to be checked by others, and that, as 

 lias so often been said, it is not by any one character, but by the resultant 

 of many, that birds must be classified. None of the Machrochires were 

 examined by Miss Walker, and it may be said that the quadrate of Hum- 

 mingbirds, Swifts, and Goatsuckers are built on the same general plan, 

 the resemblance between Swifts and Goatsuckers in this particular being 

 especially noticeable. The paper is confessedly "a short, and indeed, pre- 

 liminary study," and it is to be hoped that we may soon see it extended, 

 for we cannot have too many aids in the classification of birds, and each 

 additional taxonomic character is to be welcomed. — F. A. L. 



Minor Ornithological Publications. — There has not been much of orni- 

 thological interest in the literary monthlies since they were last noticed 

 in this department. Harper's Monthly since Vol. LXXI (see Auk, II. 

 372) has contained nothing in Vols. LXXII-LXXIX worth noticing here. 

 Scribner's Magazine has so far (Vol. I-VI) contained no ornithological 

 matter. The Century Magazine was last noticed (Vol. XXVI, 1SS3) in the 



*Studies from the Museum of Zoology in University College, Dundee. Edited by 

 D'Arcy W. Thompson, Professor. I. On the Form of the Quadrate Bone in Birds. 

 By Mary L. Walker. 



