Dec. 1885.] 



AND OOLOGIST. 



185 



dueed in chromo lithograph [by The 

 Forbes Lithograph Co., which is another 

 guarantee of high excellence] covering 25 

 plates, size 10x14. In glancing over the 

 sheets, our attention is especially attracted 

 to the one containing the Murres, Lomvia 

 troile. It is well known to our readers 

 that the eggs of these birds present the 

 greatest variation From the dark brown, 

 heavilj^ blotched, to the dark green, with 

 the intermediates of almost white. These 

 are represented by four illustrations, which 

 when comjiared with the actual specimens 

 can be fully apfjreciated. The next no- 

 ticeable plate is that which embraces the 

 Terns, that of the Arctic with its rich 

 shades of brown, does full credit to both 

 artist and bird. 



The egg of the Solitary Sandpiper, by 

 almost a chance, finds itself in line. Mr. 

 C. informs us that he could find ouly one 

 set, on record as taken within his limit. 



Great care is indicated in selecting typi- 

 cal specimens. Accuracy in color, size and 

 shajje together with the bas-relief effect, 

 caused by the tinted background, are just 

 what is wanted by our young collectors. 



In addition to the plates, Mr. Capen has 

 compiled a brief and thorough description 

 of each, together \vith the nests and breed- 

 ing habits of the birds. "While it is intended 

 to cover the birds that breed in New Eng- 

 land, it must not be overlooked that this 

 means the common birds east of the Mis- 

 sissippi to a great extent. The moderate 

 rate for a work of this description at which 

 it is offered, we trust will be the means of 

 placing it in everj- library and in the hands 

 of collectors. 



We are glad that enterprises of this 

 kind, are not confined to the feir and shall 

 look forward to an endorsement that will 

 enable Mr. Capen at no far distant day, to 

 give us a companion volume which will 

 complete that which others have failed to 

 attempt. F. B. AV. 



American Ornithologists' Union. 



Tlie third annual meeting of the Union was 

 liehl on Nov. 17 and IS, at the American Museum 

 of Natiiral History, New York City. Among the 

 members present were Messrs. J. A. Allen, R. 

 Ridgway, W. Brewster, W. W. Cooke, O. 

 Widmaun, Dr. C. H. Merriam, A. K. Fisher, 

 II. A. Purdie and E. P. Bickncll. The princi- 

 pal interest of the meeting centered in the discus- 

 sions which arose over the various papers pre- 

 sented. Mr. Arthur P. Chadbournc presented a 

 series of colored charts, showing the distribution 

 of each species of birds in New England and 

 Eastern British America. A very spirited discus- 

 sion ensued over the question, whether in color- 

 ing such maps, we should be guided wholly by 

 the printed records, or be allowed in some cases 

 to generalize from known habits. It was con- 

 cluded, that in all but the most common and 

 widely dispersed species, about which there could 

 not be a shadow of a doubt, no color should be 

 put on such charts, beyond that attested by fully 

 substantiated records. 



Mr. Bicknell showed a chart, representing in 

 very clear and easily understood .symbols, the 

 periods of residence and song of different species 

 at any given place. The method is capable of be- 

 ing extending to any number of localities, and 

 hence to the tabulating of the notes collected by 

 the corps of migration observers. Other methods 

 of tabulating these reports were pi-esented by Mr. 

 Dutcher and Mr. Wheaton. The question being 

 broached of the best methods for keeping field 

 notes, several methods were given, the best of 

 which seems to be Mr. Brewster's card method, 

 according to which the notes are written continu- 

 ously on cards temporarily bound, and at the end 

 of the season the cards are disconnected and dis- 

 tributed so that those on like subjects shall be 

 together. 



The wholesale slaughter of birds for millinery 

 purposes brought nearly every one present to Lis 

 feet with plans for its suppression. One interest- 

 ing feature of the meeting was the account by 

 Mr. Brewster of his observations carried on at 

 lighthouses during the season of migration. By 

 means of these observations the speaker had pene- 

 trated deeper into some of the secrets in the life of 

 the small night migrating birds than any one else 

 has yet done. His account of what he saw was 

 most entertaining and valualile, and opens a new 

 chapter in the history of our birds. 



After a pleasant and very profitable two days' 

 meeting, the Union adjourned to meet next year 

 at Washington. 



