Bulletin No. rj. 23 



The following Associate members have been received since the last re- 

 port : P. M. Silloway, Roodhouse. 111. L. Whitney Watkins, Man- 

 chester, Mich. 



PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. 



The Story of the Birds, by James Newton Baskett, M. A. This is the 

 first of Appleton's Home Reading Books, which are edited by William T. 

 Harris, A.M., L.L.D., United States Commissioner of Education. The 

 body of the book covers 250 pages exclusive of index, editor's intro- 

 duction, author's preface, and a very helpful "Analysis" of each chapter 

 with suggestions for study. The Story of the Birds is told in thirty-two 

 chapters or subjects, beginning with a discussion of "A Bird's Forefathers" 

 running through the many problems of the bird's life up to his Modern 

 Kinsfolk, ending with "An Introduction to the Bird" and "Acquaintance 

 'with the Bird." The Story is told in a pleasant easy manner, everv point 

 clearly stated, every statement based upon some accepted fact. The ar- 

 rangement of the chapters is progressive and logical, and nothing of the 

 first importance in the life history of the bird is omitted. 



There are twenty full page illustrations, besides a full page cut of 

 ArChaeopteryx, and a very instructive diagram of the relationships of the 

 larger groups ; also some sixty-two well selected cuts in the text. The 

 typographical appearance is unusually good, and errors are few. 



The author's aim is rather to create and stimulate interest leading to 

 personal study than to instruct. To awaken a lively interest in the living 

 bird rather than in the specimen. To induce the inquirer to think out 

 the problems which cluster about each action of the bird, not being con- 

 tent to simply discover some new trait or habit or song. To delve deep 

 for those things which cannot be had for the asking, but which must be 

 worked for earnestly and faithfully. This has induced the author to de- 

 part from the usual order, treating all of the birds as a unit instead of 

 separating group from group. The new order is refreshing to the student, 

 and cannot but prove stimulating to the beginner or casual enquirer. It 

 is a departure in the right direction. The time has come when the crit- 

 ical study of specimens for the purpose of determining the exact status of 

 any questionable species or form must be left to those who have access to 

 the collections of large series of specimens which are built up for that 

 purpose. We have urgent need to study the live bird and let it live for 

 another to study. The author of this little book has shown us how to 



