Recent Literature. 



409 



RECENT LITERATURE. 



Turner's Report of his Ornithological Observations in Alaska.* — We 

 welcome with great pleasure Mr. Turner's long-looked-for report on his 

 ornithological work in Alaska during the seven vears (Maj, iS74-August, 

 1881) spent there by him as an observer for the U. S. Signal Service. 

 His report covers a wide range of field work and indicates diligent and 

 intelligent labor in an interesting region. The report consists first of the 

 • Letter of Transmittal,' dated April 25, 18S2, the letter being in the nature 

 of a preface or introduction, stating where and under what conditions the 

 work was done, with acknowledgments of assistance in the determination 

 of specimens, etc. From this it appears that the collections were made chiefly 

 at St. Michael's (May 25, 1874-July 14, 1887), Unalashka, and Attu 

 Island. ' Part I. — General Description,' is devoted to an account of the 

 physical characteristics of the country (pp. 13-16). ' Part II. — Meteorology,' 

 is the reporton the meteorological observations (pp. 17-59). ' ^^''t HI- — 

 Plants,' gives an annotated list of Alaskan plants (pp. 61-85), based largely 

 on Dr. J. T. Rothrock's ' Sketch of the Flora of Alaska,' published in 1867, 

 with, however, numerous and important additions, ' Part IV. — Fishes,' 

 (pp. 87-113, with 15 uncolored plates) has the authority of Dr, T. H. 

 Bean's determinations, with copious and important field notes \>y the 

 author. ' Part V. — Birds,' occupies pp. 1 15-196, with 10 colored plates, 

 and is the part of special interest in the present connection. ' Part VI. — 

 Mammals' (pp. 197-208), and a very full index, conclude the volume, 

 which is printed with remarkable accuracy throughout, as regards 

 technical names, for a public document. 



Mr. Turner's work on the birds of the region visited was performed 

 under many limitations and difficulties consequent upon the engrossing 

 nature of his other duties. The notes given are, " except in a few- 

 instances, the results of my [his] own observations in the field." Several 

 species collected proved new to the North American fauna, and others 

 had previously been special desiderata. The Part devoted to birds con- 

 sists of two distinct lists, the first, numbering 168 species, and copiously 

 annotated, constitutes the report upon his own special field work; the 

 other is a ' List of the Birds of Alaska,' without notes, and containing all 

 the species "authentically known and recognized" as Alaskan, 269 in 

 number. None are included of which there is "no recorded instance of 

 their occurrence in Alaska." 



Mr. Turner's annotations are not to any large extent technical, relating 



♦Contributions | to the | Natural History of Alaska. | — | Results of Investigations 

 made chiefly in the Yukon ] District and the Aleutian Islands; conducted | under 

 the auspices of the Signal Service, | United States Army, extending | from May 

 1874, to August, 1881. I Prepared under the direction of | Brig, and Bvt. Maj. Gen 

 W. B. Hazen, | Chief Signal Ofticer of the Army, i by | L. M. Turner. | — | No. II. | 

 Arctic Series of Publications issued in connection with the Signal Service, U. S. 

 Army. | With 26 Plates. | — | Washington: | Government Printing Office. | 1886 [= 

 1888]. 4to., pp. 226, pU. 26.— Birds, pp. 115-196, with 10 colored plates. 



