1918.] Recently published Ornithological Works. 511 



[An abnormal egg of Fulica ainericana. Id. Condor, xix. 1917, 

 pp. 65-66.] 



[A note on the tracheal air-sac in the Ruddy Duck. Id. ibid. xx. 

 1918, pp. 19, 20.]. 



[On the fauna of Great Salt Lake. Id. Amer. Nat. li. 1917, 

 pp. 753-755.] 



In the first of these short notes the Red Honey-eater of 

 the Marianne Islands is separated from tliat of the Caro- 

 line Islands under the name Myzomela rubratra saffordi, 

 subsp. n. 



In the second note Mr. Wetmore points out that in his 

 opinion the fossil bird PaUeocJienoides, founded on the 

 distal end of a femur from Miocene Beds in South Carolina, 

 is not anserine in relationship, as believed by the describer, 

 Dr. Shufeldt, but steganopodine, and probably close to 

 Pelecanus. 



The third note contains an account of a somewhat ab- 

 normal Coot's egg, which was laid after the bird had been 

 captured alive, and the abnormal shape and colouring is 

 attributed to excitement and fear, and their reaction on 

 the oviduct through the nervous system. 



The tracheal air-sac of the Ruddy Duck is a subject about 

 which Mr. Wetmore has previously written ; some addi- 

 tional information is here given, proving that the air-sac in 

 question is confined to the male sex and that it is not 

 deflated when the bird is diving, and that considerable 

 pressure is necessary to do so. The control of the outward 

 flow of air is efi'ected by the sterno-trachealis muscle, and 

 there is no sphincter. 



The last note controverts a recent statement by Dr. C. T. 

 Vorheis that the Brine Shrimp {Artemia) and the Alkali 

 Fly {Ephydra), so abundant in certain parts of the Great 

 Salt Lake of Utah, are without enemies. Mr. Wetmore 

 finds that these two organisms form the greater part of the 

 food of several species of Ducks, such as the Shoveler 

 {Spatula clypeata), the Golden-eye {Clangula c. americana^, 

 and the Green- winged Teal {Nettion carolinense). 



