1SS4.I Re.coit JJtrrdtiire. 8 1 



odi y seen '" on the wav south from the Aleutians is supposed to have heen 

 Cyinoc/iorea melcena (Bp-) Coues. In the same course, for nearly a 

 thousand miles " scarcely a day passed but a Petrel with the belly white " 

 Avas seen; this is identified as Fregcfta grallnria, not impossibly cor- 

 rectly, thoui^h the identification of mo^^t Petrels on the wing is too dilficull 

 to make this case satisfactor\-. 



Colymbns ada/ns/ and C. J>ar//icu.s are both given, as full species, and as 

 occurring besides C. torquatus and C. arciir.us. 



Of Alcidce, no fewer than fifteen representatives are given, Sy?ithlibo- 

 r/ia/np/i/es zvur?nez/(s/eme not \nc\udsd. The most important point in this 

 connection is made in the rediscovery and perfect identification o{ Brnch- 

 yrhamphns kittlitzii of Brandt, long a doubtful bird to American or- 

 nithologists, no specimen being known in tliis country. Mr. Nelson took 

 one in breeding plumage in the spring of 1877, at Ounalaska, and after- 

 ward another was secured by Mr. Turner further west in the Aleutian 

 chain. We have had the pleasure of handling Mr. Nelson's specimen, 

 among many other of his birds kindly submitted to our inspection. 

 It is certainly distinct from any Auk known to us when our monograph of 

 the family was prepared, and we have no doubt of the accuracy of the 

 identification which has been made. A colored plate will probably be 

 published in another connection. 



What general criticism we might pass upon this notable paper would 

 add nothing to its value, and may be gathered from what has preceded. 

 Obscure as it is upon some points, and much as it lacks of detailed infor- 

 mation respecting the nesting and eggs of sundry notable Arctic birds. 

 Ave cannot be too thankful for what we are here given of novelty, variety, 

 and interest. We should not omit to add that it is illustrated with four 

 colored plates, executed by Mr. Ridgway, representing Afoiact'i/a ocularz's, 

 Lanitis cristatus, Eurvnorkvnckus pvgmcBus. and Ciceronia j)usilla, all 

 of life size and equalh' handsome. — E. C. 



Cory's Beautiful and Curious Birds. — The recent appearance of Part VII 

 completes the work, which consists of twenty plates, with accompanying 

 text. Ten of the plates relate to as many species of Birds of Paradise ; 

 others include the Dodo, the Kiwi (Apteryx australis), the Lyre Bird, the 

 RutY, the Spotted Bower Bird, the Black-headed Plover or Crocodile Bird, 

 and the Sacred Ibis, besides such American species as the Great Auk, the 

 Labrador Duck, and the California Condor. The plates, in part drawn 

 and lithographed by the well-known bird-artist Smi^t, are superb illustra- 

 tions of some of the most striking tbrms of bird-life. While not, from the 

 nature of the subjects, of high scientific value, it is a work of art and 

 natural history combined, and as such will be welcomed by lovers of birds 

 and fine books. It is dedicated to Mr. J. A. Allen.— W. B. 



Stejneger and Ridgway on Birds of the Commander Islands. — In a let- 

 ter* dated Bering Island, September 30, 1SS2, addressed to Prof. Baird, 



* Contributions to the History of the Commander Islands. No. i. Notes on the 

 Natural History, including Descriptions of New Cetaceans. -By Leonhard Stejneger. 

 Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1883, pp. 58-89. July 21, 1883. 



