Recent Literature. 



RECENT LITERATURE. 



Coues's 'Key to North American Birds," New Edition.* — The 'Third 

 Edition' of the 'Kej' is a reprint of the second edition, from tlie same plates, 

 with the addition of a new preface and an 'Appendix' of 30 pages (pp. 865- 

 895) of new matter. A sketch of the general character of the second edition 

 having already been given in -The Auk' (Vol. I, No. 3, July, 1884, pp. 

 283, 284), it is necessary to notice in the pi-esent connection only the ad- 

 ditions to the text now presented. The second edition was a great im- 

 provement upon the first, published in 1872, which was not only entirely 

 rewritten but greatly augmented and made practically a new work, there 

 remaining of the old little more than the general framework and plan. 

 This plan was at the time unique — an attempt to apply in a manual of 

 ornithology the analytical key system of botanical manuals. The much 

 fuller definitions of the species and subspecies, with the added terse bio- 

 graphical notes, and better and more numerous illustrations, rendered 

 the second edition much more satisfactory than was the first, which iiad, 

 however, proved a most successful venture, both for the author and his 

 readers. In the preface to the third edition the author expresses him- 

 self as so well satisfied with the second that it seemed "decidedly best to 

 reprint from the same plates, and put what new matter has come to hand 

 in the form of an Appendix." Whether this view of the case will be 

 shared by his patrons, in view of the radical nomenclatural changes made 

 since 1884, riiay possibly be questioned, yet the policy is doubtless sound, 

 considered from a publisher's standpoint. Dr. Coues, however, cordially 

 accepts and adopts the new nomenclature, and evidently and very pro- 

 perly, looks with much satisfaction upon his honorable share in the work 

 of bringing about the 'new status.' Referring to the objects kept steadily 

 in view by the A. O. U. Committee on the Classification and Nomencla- 

 ture of North American Birds — namely, the establishment of "certain 

 sound principles or canons of nomenclature applicable to zoology at large 

 as well as to ornithology," and the application of "these rules consist- 

 ently and eiTectually to the naming of North American birds" — he says: 

 "Others must be left to judge how well or ill these purposes may have 

 been accomplished, but the simple fact is that no sooner had the book 

 [A. O. U. Code and Check-List] appeared than it became the standard 



* Key to North American Birds. Containing a concise account of every species of 

 living and fossil bird at present known from the Continent north of the Mexican and 

 United States Boundary, inclusive of Greenland and Lower California, with which are 

 incorporated General Ornithology, an outline of the structure and classification of birds ; 

 and Field Ornithology, a manual of collecting, preparing, and preserving birds. The 

 Third Edition, exhibiting the new Nomenclature of the American Ornithologists' Union, 

 and including descriptions of additional species, etc. By Elliott Coues, A.M., M.D., 

 Ph.D. [etc.]. Profusely illustrated. Boston: Estes & Lauriat, 1887. Royal 8vo, pp. 

 X -f XXX -f- 89s, I col. pi., and 563 woodcuts. 



