1 ' <5' Recent Literature. 



earliest name of the Magpie is assumed to be rustica of Scopoli, giving 

 Pica rustica hudnonica for the American variety. Mr. Ridgway gives 

 assent to the specific rank of his variety ohscurus of the genus Perisoreus, 

 conforming in this respect to the decision of Messrs. Sliarpe and liensliaw. 

 The Whii)j)oorwill is referred to the genus Caprimulgus, and a new genus 

 (P/ial cenoplilus) is instituted for the reception of Nuttall's Whippoorwili. 

 The White-throated Swift is removed from Panyptila to Cypselus. Pro- 

 fessor Newton's views respecting certain genera of Owls are adopted, to 

 our view with good reason. The Great Gray Owls, however, are sepa- 

 rated from the Barred Owls, under Swainson's generic name, Scotiaplex, 

 and funerea is revived as the varietal name of the American Hawk l-wl. 

 MUller's name, dominicus, is adopted in place of virginianus, for the Amer- 

 ican Golden Plover. The Spoonbill becomes Ajaja rosea (Briss.) Ridg., 

 and the Louisiana Heron ajipears as Hydranassa tricolor (Bodd.) Ridg. 

 The formerly long-current name lentiginosus is restored to the Bittern, and 

 the Booby Gannet is now Sula leucogastra (Bodd.) Salvin. Several 

 changes are also made in the nomenclature of the Petrels and Shear- 

 waters, affecting in some cases the generic, in others the specific names ; 

 the Dusky Shearwater becoming Puffinus auduboni, Finsch. The specific 

 name pygmceus, Gmelin, is claimed for the Whiskered Auk, in place of 

 camlschaticus of Lepechin. 



The following are the new subspecies: Perisoreus canadensis fuinifr on s, 

 from the coast of Alaska ; Strix nebulosa alleni, from Florida, differing from 

 the typical nebulosa in its darker colors and naked toes; Siurus ncevius nota- 

 bilis, Grinnell, MS., from the Black Hills of Wyoming. The new genera 

 are Phalcenoptilus (already mentioned) and Nomonyx, proposed for the 

 reception of Erismatura dominica. 



Mexicanus is finally fixed upon as the correct name of the species of 

 Myiarclius which has been variously known as cooperi, Baird, erythrocercus, 

 Sclater and Salvin, yucatanensis, Lawrence, etc. 



Through a mutual division of the field, the revision independently 

 made by Dr. Coues and Mr. Ridgway rarely relates to similar points, and 

 where this happens (as in the case of Melospiza fasciata), they arrive at 

 the same results. In view of the additions made to the list of North 

 American birds since the publication of the last formal list, of the many 

 changes in nomenclature that have already become partially current, and 

 in consideration of the large number now newly proposed and meriting 

 adoption, a revised Check List becomes almost a necessity, and it there- 

 fore gives us pleasure to be able to state that a new " Smithsonian " list, 

 by Mr. Ridgway, is nearly through the press, and that its publication 

 early in July may be expected. — J. A. A. 



[We are authorized to state that the new edition of Dr. Coues's " Check- 

 List" of 1873 is ready for the press, and will probably soon appear. As 

 far as the list of names goes, it will doubtless agree closely with the Smith- 

 sonian list. Besides the names, however, it gives the orthography, ety- 



