248 Recent Literature. \!$s 



the region visited, that one stands quite aghast as he reads them. These 

 statements in no way agree with the experiences of other naturalists 

 who have gone carefully over the same ground, nor do they agree with 

 what has been published in the premises. We very much question the 

 statement that "The Rusty Grackle is common between Winnipeg and 

 Portage-la-Prairie, usually making its nest on the ground like a song 

 sparrow" (p. 112). lam inclined to think that our author has confused 

 the Rusty Grackle with Brewer's Blackbird. In a similar manner he has 

 probably confused the Northern Shrike with the White-rumped Shrike, 

 and the statement that the "great Northern Shrike breeds plentifully 

 around Crescent Lake, Assiniboia," would appear to be vouched for by 

 the author of this book alone. 



What Mr. Raine says about the breeding of the Evening Grosbeak is 

 also characterized by a certain amount of looseness and conjecture. We 

 are told "This species breeds in the Northern Rocky Mountains, but its 

 eggs are almost unknown in collections and consequently very valuable. 

 It is reported as a common resident in the forests of Washington Terri- 

 tory. A nest of four eggs, on the point of hatching, was found in Yolo 

 Count}-, California, May 10, 1S86, but could not be preserved. These eggs 

 are said to be similar to those of the Black-headed Grosbeak." 



Finally, it will be interesting to oologists to know that Mr. Raine, on 

 two or three occasions, collected the eggs of the Little Brown Crane in 

 this region. We wonder if they were not the nests and eggs of the Sand-hill 

 Cr,ane that Mr. Raine met with? This surmise would appear to present 

 the true facts in the case, in as much as, so far as our author's account of 

 his next visit to this region has been given us (The Nidiologist, Jan. and 

 Feb. 1894), he says never a word about finding any more nests and eggs 

 of the Little Brown Crane, but speaks with confidence about Sand-hill 

 and Whooping Cranes breeding throughout many parts of the country 

 lie explored. 



In addition to his own personal collecting, we understand Mr. Raine is 

 a very extensive purchaser of eggs from collectors in many other parts of 

 the world; and he also keeps out a corps of his own paid collectors. 

 Such practices require great caution, as there are collectors and collectors, 

 and birds' eggs and birds' eggs. From a scientific point of view, a bird's 

 egg is valueless unless its indentification is absolutely sure. Published 

 oological works are likewise scientifically valueless if the statements 

 they contain are rested upon accounts that cannot be verified beyond all 

 perad venture of a doubt. If Mr. Raine hopes to build up a solid reputation 

 as a perfectly reliable avain oiilogist, he should constantly keep before 

 his mind the hints we have, with all kindness, endeavored to give him in 

 this brief review of his 'Bird-Nesting in North-West Canada.' Let him 

 apply these hints to the next volume he has already promised us, and not 

 only will the lay reader look with interest for the coming out of his books, 

 but they will also be welcome additions to the library of the scientist. 

 — R. W. S. 



