348 Recently puh/lit/ied ()rnithol()(/ical Worhs. [Ibis, 



Shufeldl on the Hoatzin. 



[Notes ou the osteology of the youiig of tlie Hoatzin {Opisthocomus 

 eristatiis) and otlier points on its morpliology. By E. W. Shufeldt. 

 Journ. Morphology, vol. 31, 1918, pp. 599-606 ; 4 pis.] 



In a short paper Dr. Shufeldt presents us with the results 

 of his examination of several sul)aflult and one young 

 specimen of this curious and interesting type. Two of these 

 have been prepared as skeletons which are described at some 

 length, while the other specimens have been studied as 

 regards their pterylosis. The most striking character of the 

 skeleton of the young Opisthocomus is the enormous size 

 of the feet as compared witli the rest of the body, but 

 beyond mentioning a genci'al resemblance in some respects 

 to the Oame-birds, I)r, Shufeldt does not indicate any 

 further clues to the relationships of this remarkable bird. 



Taverner on Canadian Hawks. 



[The Hawks of the Canadian I'lririe Provinces in their relation to 

 Agriculture. By P. A. Taverner. Ottawa Museum Bull. no. 28, 1918, 

 pp. 1-14 ; 4 col. pis.] 



In this useful little brochure Mr. Taverner reviews the 

 commoner Hawks of the western Provinces of CJanada from 

 the economic point of view, and in order to assi^t in their 

 identification a series of eight small coloured illustrations 

 accompany the article. The destruction of birds of prey has 

 generally been indiscriminate, and has often been stimulated 

 by the payment of bounties by the Government. The only 

 Hawks which are condemned by Mr. Taverner are those of 

 the genera Accipiter and Astur, and of these the American 

 Goshawk (Astur atricupilUis) is undoubtedly a confirmed 

 chicken and grouse thief. Mr. Taverner states that the 

 normal lange of this bird is along the northern limit of 

 intense cultivation and that its usual food is the Varying 

 Hare. This animal increases annually until it l)ec'omes very 

 numerous, and with it the Goshawk and other rabbit-eating 

 animals increase too. Eventually a contagious disease 

 spreads among the hares, and the Goshawks turn their 



