Recent Literature. 11^ 



spectrum of Turacin is marked bj two absorption bands, between D and E, 

 much resembling those of oxyhemaglobin. Carbon dioxide and oxygen, 

 however, have no effect on the color or the spectrum. As to its chemical 

 composition the author differs from his predecessors in that he denies the 

 presence of nitrogen, though copper and iron are both present in con- 

 siderable quantities. By the action of concentrated sulphuric acid two 

 products are formed, named a Turacein and ^ Turacein by the author. 



Zoonerythrin, another red pigment of much wider distribution, is 

 foimd in red feathers, as those of tlie Flamingo and the Cardinal Gros- 

 beak. It is soluble in alcohol, ether, bisulphide of carbon, and the like, 

 from which it can be precipitated by evaporation. The solution of this 

 pigment is often favored by first digesting the feather in a trypsin or pepsin 

 solution. Unlike Turacin, Zoonerythrin has no absorption bands, but all 

 is absorbed beyond E. 



Zoofulvin, a yellow pigment of much the same solubility as the pre- 

 ceeding, occurs in the yellow feathers of the European Oriole, the Canary, 

 and the like. The spectrum has two bands between F and G which vary 

 in position according to the solvent used. 



As yet Dr. Krukenberg has been unable to extract any green, blue, or 

 purple pigment from feathers, so that he agrees with Bogdanon that blue 

 feathers have no pigment as proved by transmitted light. Of this any one 

 can at once convince himself by holding the feather of a Bluebird im- 

 mersed in water between himself and a window. — ^J. Amory Jeffries. 



Minor Ornithological Papers. — i6i. The Ruddy Duck (yErhmo- 

 tura ritbida). By Spencer Trotter, Chicago Field, Vol. XIII, p. 23. — Brief 

 general account, including reference to their occasional great abundance in 

 Chesapeake Bay. 



162. Bibliographical Manuals of American Naturalists. Chapter II. 

 Dr. Elliott Coues, U. S. A. By William Hosea Ballou. Ibid., XIII, pp. 

 92, 103, 123, 189, 205, 221. — Rather more tha.j 400 titles of papers and 

 works, relating mainly to ornithology. 



163. Nomenclature of ttie North American Grouse. By Spencer Trotter. 

 Ibid., XIII. pp. 314, 315. — Common and scientific names of North Ameri- 

 can Grouse, with their principal synonymy and habitats. 



163. The California Quails in Missouri. By H. Clay Ewing. Ibid. 



XIII, p. 413- — Six or seven pairs, turned out near the junction of the 

 Missouri and Osage Rivers in March 1S79, raised broods the following 

 season near where they were liberated. 



164. Bibliographical Manual of American Naturalists. Chapter III. 

 The Literature of Prof. Edzvard D. Cope. By Wm. Hosea Ballou. Ibid. 



XIV, pp. 19, 20. — Contains a few ornithological titles. 



165. Can the Pinnated Grouse be successfully propagated^ By H. W. 

 Merrill. Forest and St ream, XN\, Feb. 10, iSSi, p. 28. — Believes they 

 can be "successfully propagated" with proper '-regard to cover, food 

 and range." 



,166. Pine Grosbeak {Pinicola enurlcdtor, L., V.) and Robin {^Turdus 

 migratorius, L.) in Wititer [/;/ Nova Scotia^. By. J. Matthews Jones. 



