20 THE OSPREY. 



Macoun on Canadian Birds*. — This paper is largely a compilation from 

 many authors who have written on the birds of North America, north of the 

 northern boundary of the United States. The paper covers all British 

 America, including Alaska and Greenland. The original matter contained in 

 it is almost entirely from the experiences of the author and his son, Mr. J. M. 

 Macoun, and from special explorations by Mr. W. Spreadborough. Manu- 

 script notes from many observers have also been used. The matter is concisely 

 stated and elaborated under several heads, as distribution and breeding notes. 



Dates of arrival are often given, and due credit is given in every instance 

 when statements or matter is quoted. Under the head of 'museum specimens' 

 for each species where specimens were available in the geological survey col- 

 lection under the author's charge, a brief history of the specimens and their 

 number are given. Unfortunately these specimens are very few in nearly 

 every case; it would seem that Canadian ornithologists should bestir them- 

 selves so that an adequate representation of British American birds should be 

 available at the capital. 



The nomenclature used is strictly that of the American Ornithologists' 

 Union. A good feature is that the common names are in bold type at the 

 head of each species while the scientific names are in italics and subordinated. 

 The authorities for the scientific names might well have been left out as in the 

 absence of descriptions and synonymies they are useless in a popular list. 



A few errors have evidently unavoidably ciept into the paper; thus, the 

 Point Barrow Gull is given as abundant about the Prybilofs' when the species 

 should be the Glaucous-winged. It seems curious to southern naturalists to 

 read, as for instance, that the Black Skimmer is 'Accidental on the South 

 Atlantic coast'. 



Professor Macoun' s list is an earnest effort to bring the evidence that 

 has been accumulating for many years into a concise shape for reference, and 

 it is to be hoped it may prove a good basis on which to elaborate a future 

 history of all the birds north of the boundary between British America and the 

 United States. Two hundred and ninety-nine species are given in this first 

 contribution, which may be obtained for the small charge of ten cents. 



A second volume will cover the remaining species, and will include changes 

 and corrections, and observers generally are invited to contribute — W. P. 



*Catalogue of Canadian Birds. Parti. Water Birds, Gallinaceous Birds and Pigeons, 

 including the following orders: Pygopodes, Longipennes, Tubinares, Steganopodes, 

 Anseres, Herodiones, Paludicolae, Lfimicolae, 'Gallinse and Columbs, by John Macoun, 

 Naturalist to the Geological Survey of Canada. Ottawa. 1900. [1-218 pp. Price, 10 cents.] 



