210 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 85 



ords of William Bartram, 1802-1822," and "The Nest Life of the 

 Sparrow Hawk," by Althea R. Sherman, are the most noteworthy. 

 Mr. Stone appends a comparative table of arrival dates to show 

 comparisons between Bartram's dates of arrival of 26 common spe- 

 cies and the arrivals as noted by the members of the Delaware 

 Valley Ornithological Club. "Wlhile there are some considerable dif- 

 ference shown in the two records Mr. Stone concludes that there 

 has been appreciable change in the time of arrival. The writer 

 fully agrees with Mr. Stone in his contention that for comparative 

 purposes the arrival of tibe " bulk " is more likely to yield reliable 

 data. It must also be true that data gathered by a large number 

 of observers in a given region must bq more reliable than if records 

 of one or few observers ai'e taken. But after all constant daily 

 study of bird movements by competent observers is the only sure 

 means of securing data of sufficient accuracy to warrant sweeping 

 general conclusions. The station of one observer may be within 

 a definite fly-line, while that of another not many miles away may 

 be wholly without any definite fly-line. The one is pretty certain 

 to obtain earlier dates of arrival than the other. Thus the "per- 

 sonal equation " may be largely a " locality equation." All factors 

 must be considered. The October number contains eight papers, 

 besides the usual long list of interesting and valuable General Notes. 

 Of these eight papers the leading one "A Biological Reconnaissance 

 of Okefinokee Swamp: The Birds," by Albert H. Wright and Fran- 

 cis Harper, with six plates, and " Morning Awakening and Even- 

 song. Second Paper," by Horace H. Wright, are perhaps most wor- 

 thy of notice. One of the most valuable features of the Auk is the 

 careful and full reviews of recent literature. l. j. 



The Condor. Nos. 4 and 5. The leading article of No. 4 is a 

 valuable comparative study of the eggs of the North American 

 Limicolse, by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt, with six full, page half-tone plates 

 representing 25 species. The remarkable similarity in shape and 

 markings of lall of the eggs, except those of the three species of 

 Oystercatdher, and their clear dissimilarity both in shape and mark- 

 ings, and their similarity to nests of the Longipennes might afford a 

 legitimate excuse from some questionings in regard to the two groups. 

 Dawson's all-day list at Santa Barbara is a large one, and his pre- 

 diction, amounting to almost a challenge to the Oberlin region, may 

 warrant comment. It is hardly likely that another all day individ- 

 ual list will be made in the Oberlin region; but that there will be 

 a company list made by as many competent students as can be in- 

 duced to cooperate, each two doing careful work in some restricted 

 and easily covered area, is as certain as available persons will 



