157 

 BOOK NOTICE. 



Proceedings of the Ornithological Sub-Section of the Biologi- 

 cal Section of the Canadian Institute for the Year 1889. 



This interesting pamphlet, published under the editorship of Mr. 

 Ernest B. Thompson, is extracted from the Proceedings of the Canadian 

 Institute, of Toronto. It will well repay a careful perusal by any stu- 

 dent of birds, containing, as it does, a large number of notes of the 

 arrival and departure, and of the breeding, feeding and other habits of 

 birds, the majority of which are to be found here as well as there. 

 Besides this, there are many notes of the occurrence of rare birds, and of 

 bii-ds not found in this locality, but which, perhaps, in consequence of 

 an extension of habitat, may be found here at some time in the near 

 future. Among these last, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Goccyzus ameri- 

 canus) is now found to be "a regular, though far from comtnon, summer 

 resident" at Toronto, whereas it was formerly considered but an acciden 

 tal straggler. The capture of the Razor-billed Auk [Alca torda), on 

 Toronto Bay, on December 10, proves that the ornithological field can 

 never, with safety, be said to be completely worked out in any gi^en 

 locality. The wintering of the American G-oldfinch {Spinus tristis) and 

 the Crow (Corvus americanus) in 1888-89 are interesting as correspond- 

 ing with our experience here. One pair of the latter species, at least, 

 has spent the winter here, regularly, for several years, feeding at a 

 slaughter-house not far from the city limits. The taking, at Toronto, 

 of several species of hawks, with their stomachs full of grasshoppers, 

 will add further weight to the impression, which, fortunately, is gaining 

 ground steadily, that these birds are the friends, and not the enemies of 

 the farmer. We earnestly commend the pamphlet to the attention of 

 our ornithological readers. W. A. D. L. 



Errata. — In the list of new members in the last number of the 

 Naturalist, p. IIG, for "J. Rainson Wills" read "J. Lainson Wills, 

 M.E., F.C.S. 



In the instalment of " Flora Ottawaensis " issued with same num- 

 ber, the pages should be numbered from 62 to 69 instead of from 121 

 to 128. :o: 



New Members. — John Law ; Willibert Simpson ; Miss Steacy. 

 :o: 



This number is issu«d March 14th, 1890. 



