28 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 82. 



but unfortunately this can not be done in one case. In the 

 interests of Michigan ornithology it must be said that the 

 local naturalists have long since learned that the records of 

 A. B. Covert are mostly imreliable, whether or not they are 

 represented by extant specimens. 



We have one book on A'lichigan ornithology,^ which ap- 

 peared in 1893, but it is unfortunate, to say the least, that this 

 work was ever published, as it is unauthoritative, carelessly 

 compiled and marred by many errors and mis-quotations. 

 The book was never reviewed by any one at all familiar with 

 Michigan ornithology or ornithological conditions in the state, 

 so that a number of the records accepted by the author have 

 been widely quoted, with the result that the status of a num- 

 ber of species in the state is not rightly understood. 



In view of this condition it is easy to see why Bar- 

 rows' work is considered a boon by Michigan naturalists. 

 It is all that our previous list was not. It is up-to-date, 

 comprehensive, compiled carefully in that most of the doubtful 

 records have been confirmed as far as possible, and well 

 written in a form that may be used by students. With little 

 doubt it will be the standard reference work on Michigan 

 ornithology for years to come. With all the care with which 

 the book has been prepared, however, several species have, 

 in the opinion of the writer, been included upon insufficient 

 or unreliable evidence, and these should be pointed out that 

 they may not be accepted without proper consideration. 



As will be seen from the discussion of each of these spe- 

 cies (see below), some of the controversy over the right of 

 certain forms to a place in the IMichigan list depends upon 

 what shall be considered as constituting a primal record. 

 The writer believes that Brewster - gives the only safe and 

 proper guide when he states. — " My early training and ex- 



^ Birds of Michigan, by Albert John Cook. Bulletin 94. Michi- 

 gan Experimental Station, State Agricultural College. 



"The Birds of the Cambridge Region of Massachusetts. By William 

 Brewster. Memoirs of the Xuttall Ornithological Club, No. IV, 190G, 

 p. 5-6. 



