80 ORNITHOLOGIST 
| RECENT. PUBLICATIONS. 

AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION CODE OF NOMENCLA- 
TURE AND CHECK List oF N. A. Birps. 
The American Ornithologists Union have published their 
Code of Nomenclature and Check List of North American 
Birds in the form of a handsomely bound volume of 392 
octavo pages. The work is divided into two parts; a code 
of nomenclature, anda classified list of birds. In part I 
the committee give their definition of the general principles 
underlying zoological nomenclature, and their theory as to 
the application of them, also recommendations for future 
compilers of names and lists. 
The committee have very evidently striven to properly 
and systematically derive the nomenclature from duly ac- 
credited sources, and the few individual expressions are in 
seeming conformity with the general endeavor. 
Part II is a classified list of the Birds of North America . 
a “ Hypothetical List” being a list of the birds whose right 
to be recognized as a distinct species can not be established. 
Also a List of the Fossil Birds discovered up to the pres- 
ent time. 
The change in arrangement is very great, the birds which 
have hitherto been considered as belonging to the highest 
scale in the order of bird life, and therefore having a right 
to precedence, are placed at the foot of the list, and the 
family of Grebes are placed at the head. Such an arrange- 
ment is hardly justifiable. The scientific nomenclature has 
also been very much altered; some long recognized names 
having been discarded for others no more suitable, and 
which in some few instances even lack the right of preced- 
ence, in either the date or derivation. In fact if this ‘‘List” 
renders the true version of Classified nomenclature, our or- 
nithologists have groped long in the darknes of wnscientific 
lists. As the “check list” is the most desired portion of the 
book among ornithologists and odlogists, the committee 
should publish Part II in a cheap form for their use as many 
cannot afford to purchase the complete work. The typo- 
graphical features of the book are excellent, as is usual with 
the productions of the ‘University Press,” and the book is, 
on the whole, a very creditable work.—F. H. C. 
MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 
The Nuttall Ornithological Club have begun ‘to issue a 
series of memoirs, irregularly as material offers.” No. 1, 
issued in March, is an exhanstive treatise on the migration 
of birds, and the personal experiences of the author at 
Point Lepreaux, Bay of Fundy. The above papers were 
written by Wm. Brewster, and bear the evidence of original 
research and method. Several theories on migration are 
given which should be proved by a closer observation than 
hitherto. Judging from this number the future publications 
of the club will stand among the first of Ornitholocical pro- 
ductions in the field of literature.—/. H. C. z 

CORRESPONDENCE. 
An Inconsistent Journal. 
Editor ORNITHOLOGIST AND ObLOGIsT—Sir: Allow me to 
quote from Forest and Stream, issue of January 28, 1886, 
page 5: “We heartily agreed with the president (BE. A. 
Samuels) in his condemnation of the insectivorous and song 
birds, and strongly urged efforts to destroy the in- 
terests of taxidermists, by whom so many birds were killed 
simply to furnish female adornments.”—Commissioner La- 
throp. “The business of every taxidermist in Massachu- 
setts should be killed primarily.”—Hon. EF. A. Brackett. 
__ [Vol. 11-No. 
1-No. 5 
The publication of an article in O. and O., by request, 
taken from the 7. and S., I think should be supplemented 
by the above. Let any one who does not know the F. and S. 
take a number, say March 18th, look it through carefully; 
one third of its advertising space is devoted to the enticing 
holding out of all imaginable implements of destruction to 
bird life. A large part of its reading matter consists of ex- 
citing stories of slaughter, points to sportsmen, discussion 
of the most sportsmanly manner of principled amateurs. 
In fact everything to convert a reader into a working mem- 
ber of the craft, and in it we find snuggled the dear little 
“Audubon Society” and the A. O. U. 
Now please spare us from shots from that craft. The 
compartments may not buoy all up, Perhaps some of us 
who are as good friends to the feathered tribe as members 
of the A. O. U. will be compelled to oppose it, if the dispo- 
sition is not plainly shown to consider the rights of those 
out of the circle. baie 
PREVENTION BETTER THAN CuRE.— Editor O. and O., 
Sir: A new substance is just now coming into use by nat- 
uralists which promises well as a preventive of insect raya- 
ges in collections. Itis Naphtaline. It is the active ingre- 
dient in ‘‘Disinfecting Cones” which are being made for 
entomologists’ use, and is said to be very effective in pre- 
serving collections intact. It has the odor of coal tar, but 
consists of handsome scaly, pure white crystals which may 
be scattered under the cotton with the birds or eggs. Mixed 
with dry arsenic, and used on skins, it might form a valua- 
ble adjunct, as from its position it would evaporate very 
slowly and might last for years. Certainly if all, or nearly 
all, the statements are true which are made about it, Naph- 
taline will prove the greatest boon which the naturalist has 
received for some time.—W. E. Saunders, London, Ontario 
Editor of O. and O., Dear Sir.—Glad to see articles on 
Entomology. I think that the Ornithologist who cannot 
apply Entomology and Botany as he goes along is losing 
much, both in his own pleasure and in usefulness to the 
world at large.— Walter Hoxie. 
Mr. THompsoN WHEAT OF MAcomB, ILL., writes that 
while watching some Blue Jays recently, he noticed one of 
the birds fly to the ground, and picking up a grain of corn 
return and give it toacompanion. As such affectionate 
actions are not the usual traits of the Jay, he very perti- 
nately asks if anyone has observed a similar instance. 
F. B. SPAULDING, LANCASTER, N. H., reports Robins as 
numerous in his vicinity during the past winter, something 
very unusual, as they generaily depart in November and do 
not appear again until the following March. 
GEO. G. CANTWELL, MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., reports secur- 
ing on March 5th, several specimens of the Horned Lark, 
and on the following day three Chestnut-collard Longspurs 
were taken. 
ELMER T. Jupp, BETHEL, Conn. writes of finding a nest 
of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak containing five eggs, and 
says it is his first instance of finding so many in one nest. 
He asks if it is common to find as many ? 
Correction. Mr. E. C. Erdis writes us that the state- 
ment which appeared in his article in the January issne, re- 
garding the Worm-eating Warbler being seen in winter, 
was a mistake. He had the record of another bird in mind 
when he wrote the article. The original communication 
was received before the O. and O. came into the charge of 
the present editor and escaped observation until it appeared 
in print. 
—_—_ >. 
Correspondents should bear in mind that all communica- 
tions for publication should be sent to the Editors. 
Mae a me 
