74 Canadian Record of Science. 
Platte, become so thoroughly warmed during their long journey 
that the second effect is inappreciable, while the first is very 
strongly marked, southern forms of life ascending these valleys a 
hundred kilometers or more beyond the usual limit. Short streams, 
on the other hand, and particularly those that head in mountains 
and have rapid courses, carry northern forms many kilometers 
below their normal limit, but do not afford the same facility for the 
northward extension of southern forms. Streams of intermediate 
character (in the respects indicated) present intermediate con- 
ditions, and where the two types balance, the northward (or upward 
and southward (or downward) extensions of the life zones are of 
equal length, the latter inclosing the former like the inyoluted 
finger of a glove. 
Tun Birrps or Manitopa. By Ernest E. Thompson, Toronto, Can- 
ada. Proc. U.S. National Museum, Vol. XITI, 1890. 
In this pamphlet of 643 pages, the author gives the results of three 
years’ field studies of the birds of Manitoba, supplemented by 
numerous quotations from previous writers and unpublished 
manuscripts, notably the unpublished “ Observations on Hudson’s 
Bay,” by Thos. Hutchins, for twenty-five years prior to 1782 an 
agent of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Mr. Thompson has also 
availed himself of a number of reports communicated to the A. O. 
U. Committee on Bird Migration, bringing together a large amount 
of information respecting the ornithology of a district of which 
previously but comparatively little was known. The author’s own 
field notes are very full, particularly with regard to the nesting 
habits and singing powers of many species, and bring vividly be- 
fore us charming pictures of bird life, amidst the whispering woods 
and on the breezy prairies. The work consists of five parts, (1) 
an introduction giving the boundaries and physical features of the 
province; (2) an “Annotated list of the birds,’ numbering 266 
species and subspecies ; (3) “A chronological list of the principal 
books and articles consulted; ” (4) “ A list of the manuscripts used 
in completing the foregoing notes;” (5) index. The paper is ac- 
companied by a map showing the distribution of the prairies, sand 
dunes and marshes and the deciduous and coniferous forests, the 
whole forming a very important addition to the literature of Cana- 
dian ornithology. Itis to be regretted that the mechanical portion 
of the undertaking is not equally praiseworthy, the presswork 
being very poor indeed, and typographical errors by no means in- 
frequent. 
; F. B. CauLFnrnp. 
