ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 71 



species, each having a single varietj r in the United States. The synony- 

 matic lists given include only such references as pertain to the region 

 traversed by the survey, thereby divesting the work of any unnecessary 

 cunibersomeness. The biographical notices are excellent, and bear the 

 impress of vigorous and original thought, founded upon careful and in- 

 telligent study in the field. Indeed, so thoroughly good are they that we 

 cannot but wish that they were in some cases more extended ; neverthe- 

 less, we have valuable descriptions of the notes, habits, and nesting of 

 many rare and hitherto little-known species ; and when it is taken into 

 account that in most cases the expeditions were unable to get fairly at 

 work before midsummer, it is remarkable that so much was accomplished. 

 As a contribution to ornithology this work derives its chief value from 

 the additions it furnishes to our knowledge of the geographical range of 

 North American birds, the assigned limits of many species being con- 

 siderably extended, and nine entirely new to our fauna added. It is to 

 be hoped that " retrenchment and reform " will not in any way cripple 

 the continued good work that we expect from the Wheeler Survey in the 

 future.— W. B. 



Field and Forest.* — With the number for July, this journal begins 

 its second volume, considerably enlarged and improved. The articles are 

 varied and all valuable contributions to science, and we wish " Field and 

 Forest" the success its merits so well deserve. The single article relating 

 to ornithology brings forward quite novel facts in the history of Wilson's 

 Phalarope, which are unique in the history of our birds, and should 

 engage further attention. Mr. Kumlien describes the female as being not 

 only " richer dressed " than the male, but as leaving the duties of incu- 

 bation wholly to the male, who in the breeding season has " invariably 

 the naked and wrinkled belly, characteristic of incubating birds," while 

 the female shows nothing of the kind. He also represents the female as 

 making the advances to the male during the pairing-season, and says it is 

 not unusual to " see two females pursuing one male," instead of the re- 

 verse, as is usually the case with other birds. If no mistake has been 

 made, these facts are among the most interesting in the annals of Ameri- 

 can ornithology. — J. A. A. 



The Portland Tern. — Mr. William Brewster has recently published 

 his views respecting the character of this recently described Tern.t Hav- 



* Field and Forest : a Monthly Journal devoted to the Natural Sciences. 

 Vol. II, No. 1, July, 1876. 8vo, 20 pp. Washington, 1876, Charles R. Dodge, 

 Editor. Subscription price, $1.00 a year. 



T Some Additional Light on the so-called Sterna portlandica, Ridgway. By 

 William Brewster. Annals of the Lye. Nat. Hist, N. Y., Vol. XI, pp. 200- 

 207. [Published February, 1876.] 



