1889.] Recent Literature. 61 
passed from Rodney, Miss., to Oak Point, Manitoba, a distance of 1298 
miles, in 48 days, giving an average rate of progress of 27 miles per 
day. ‘The records for 58 species during the spring of 1883 give an average 
rate of 23 miles per day. But of course the rate of progress is not uni- 
form for even the same species, it being greater over the northern portion 
of the route than over the southern, and much greater during some days 
than others, according to whether the conditions for movement are favor- 
able or otherwise. Also, as would be expected, the late migrants move 
more rapidly than the early ones. 
While Professor Cooke has thus thrown much light upon the manner 
and coincident phenomena of migration, and made a most valuable con- 
tribution to our knowledge of the subject, his limitations in respect to the 
quality and number of the data at hand give a somewhat pioneer character 
to his work. His observers were too few and the greater part too un- 
trained to give a satisfactory basis for the task so energetically under- 
taken; yet his report is a remarkably successful effort, considering the 
embarrassing circumstances under which he has labored; and we believe 
that the editor, in his prefatory letter, does not overrate its importance in 
considering it ‘‘the most valuable contribution ever made to the subject of 
Bird Migration.” It gives one a vivid forecast of what may be looked 
for in forthcoming reports on the same subject, based on the work of many 
more observers, covering a much longer period. 
In closing this notice it would be a grave omission not to call special 
attention to the model work of Mr. Otto Widmann at St. Louis (see pp. 
33-37), andalso the important assistance rendered by Prof. D. E. Lantz, 
of Manhattan, Kansas. A dozen observers like Mr. Widmann, scattered 
at proper intervals, would give a fairer basis for generalizations than 
hundreds of observers of the grade on whom Professor Cooke was obliged 
to depend for many of his data. This should stimulate the more experi- 
enced and well qualified field ornithologists to contribute to the fullest 
degree possible to the furtherance of this important investigation.—J. A. A. 
Nelson’s Report upon Natural History Collections made in Alaska.*— 
Following close upon Mr. Turner’s ‘Contributions to the Natural History 
of Alaska’ (see Auk, Vol. V, pp. 409, 410) comes Mr. E. W. Nelson’s 
‘Report’ upon his natural history work in the same Territory during the 
years 1877-1881. Two thirds of this carefully prepared volume, or some 
210 pages and 12 colored plates, relate to Alaskan ornithology. Mr. 
Nelson arrived at St. Michaels, June 17, 1877, which place was his head- 
quarters, and where he passed the greater part of his time, till the last of 
* Report | upon | Natural History Collections | made in| Alaska | Between the 
years 1877 and 1881 | by Edward W. Nelson. | — | Edited by Henry W. Henshaw. 
_ | — | Prepared under the direction of the Chief Signal Officer. | — | No. III. | Arctic 
Series of Publications issued in connection with the Signal Service, U. S. Army. | With 
21 Plates. | — | Washington: j Government Printing Office. | 1887 [= 1888]. 4to., 
pp. 337. (Birds, pp. 19-2930, pll. i-xii, colored.) 
