I7 2 Recent Literature. 



of the Birds ascertained to occur in Illinois," published .(Ann. Lye. Nat. 

 Hist. New York, Vol. X, pp. 364-394) in 1874, but adds 31 species to the3ii 

 then recorded, making (one having been eliminated) 341 now enumerated, 

 besides 11 additional varieties. The author acknowledges his indebtedness 

 to the several lists of the birds of Illinois published by Mr. E. W. Nelson, 

 and to various private sources. The preface recounts the geographical ex- 

 tent, topographical features and meteorological characteristics of the State 

 which tend to give it so diversified a fauna. Then follows a table of the 

 families represented, with the number of species of each and the number 

 which breed in the State. A bibliography of 26 titles of papers relating 

 to the ornithology of Illinois succeeds, and then the catalogue itself. The 

 species known to breed (213 in number) are distinguished by an asterisk; 

 the annotations are brief, and relate mainly to the abundance, the season 

 of occurrence, and the distribution of the species within the State. An 

 "Appendix" gives a list of 42 species ''which probably occur in Illinois," 

 but which have not been actually taken there. The nomenclature is that 

 of Mr. Ridgway's recently published Catalogue of North American birds. 



The bird fauna of Illinois is stated to embrace members of 17 "orders," 

 "according to the latest and most improved classifications," among which 

 are the "orders" Trockili, Cvpsc/i, Caprinmlgi, and Sarcorhamphi! 



Illinois takes the lead among the States in respect to number of species 

 of birds, Massachusetts following next with (including the latest additions) 

 330. the much greater geographical area of Illinois, and especially its 

 greater extent in latitude, together with its central position, more than 

 compensating for the maritime position of Massachusetts. There is no 

 area, however, in the United States in which so many species have been 

 ascertained to occur as in the last named State. — J. A. A. 



Mearns's Birds of the Hudson Highlands. — Two installments* 

 of Dr. Mearns's excellent memoir (see this Bulletin, Vol. V. p. 175) have 

 appeared during the last year, completing the List as far as Ortyx vir- 

 ginia7ia. The high praise accorded the earlier installments is equally meri- 

 ted by those now under notice, Mr. Mearns's " List of the Birds of the 

 Hudson Highlands" ranking easily among the best of our long list of 

 contributions to local ornithology. There is much said about the habits 

 of various species that is entertaining or new, while the dates of migra- 

 tions for periods of eight to ten years, and the averages and extremes of 

 measurements of generally a large series of specimens of each species, 

 give data of high value. In respect to nomenclature, the list is abreast 

 with the latest well-grounded innovations. — J. A. A. 



Rathbun's " Bright Feathers or Some North American Birds 

 of Beauty." — Part II of this work, recently issued, is devoted to the 



*A list of the Birds of the Hudson Highlands, with Annotations. By Edg;ir A. 

 Mearns. Bull. Essex Inst., Vol. IX, p. 11-25 (/Egiothus linaria to Quiscalus purpureus), 

 Nov., 1880; pp. 109-128 (Corvus frugivorus to Ortyx virginiahd) , Feb., 1881. 



