VOl 1909' VI ] Recent Literature. 447 



At the end of eight days the remaining four were allowed to fly in an en- 

 closure; they became very tame and fed from the hand. After five days 

 two more were allowed their freedom. They remained in the vicinity for 

 nineteen days, when they left, "probably to join some roost." They were 

 seen ten days later (August 24), and then disappeared, presumably migrat- 

 ing. Of the two still retained in confinement, one died October 21, of a 

 tumour; the other was then in good health with a prospect of surviving 

 the winter. It thus appears that young martins can be taken from their 

 homes to other localities and reared by hand; but whether the survivors 

 will return to their foster home the following year, Mr. Miller's experiment 

 leaves us in doubt. The results of further experiments in this line may 

 well be awaited with interest. — J. A. A. 



Wolcott's Analysis of the Bird Fauna of Nebraska. 1 — The number of 

 species and subspecies known to have occurred within the State of Nebraska 

 is here given as 406. This large number results from the geographical 

 position of the State, which lies "between the humid eastern faunal areas 

 and the arid areas of the West," and thus contains forms characteristic of 

 both these climatic areas. In consequence of these conditions, the eastern 

 and western subspecies of the same species meet and merge, through "a 

 gradual shading of the one into the other. Intermediate specimens occur 

 representing all shades of gradation between them. It may be that only a 

 few of the specimens taken at the eastern end of the State represent the 

 one, while only at the extreme west are found specimens typical of the 

 other." 



The species are divided into categories in accordance with the manner 

 of their occurrence within the State, as follows: "I. Species found in 

 some part of the State, in larger or smaller numbers, at all seasons of the 

 year," or are, in other words, permanent residents. These number 72, 

 and nearly all are designated as having been found breeding in the State. 

 "II. Species migrant in spring and fall and which remain in larger or 

 smaller numbers to breed in the State ; and also summer visitors which are 

 stragglers, and do not breed here." These number 174, and are also nearly 

 all marked as known to breed in the State. "III. Species occurring in 

 the State only in spring and fall migrations and breeding not probable . . . . " 

 numbering 106 species. " IV. Winter visitors to the State " — 46 species. 

 "V. Species now extinct within the limits of Nebraska" — 6 species. 

 "VI. Introduced species" — 2, the Ring-necked Pheasant and the 

 English Sparrow. 



A second analysis gives the ratio of representation, by species, of the 

 orders and principal passerine families in Nebraska as compared with 

 North America north of Mexico, on the basis of the A. O. U. Check-List, 

 with interesting results, too detailed for mention in this connection. 



1 An Analysis of Nebraska's Bird Fauna. By Robert H. Wolcott. Proe. Nebraska 

 Ornithologists' Union, Vol. IV, Part 2, pp. 25-55, with pll. i-vi. August 25, 1909. 



