280 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



in our own country, while it is able to supply an actual want in 

 the Colonies, where the Pheasant will certainly join his emigrant 

 preservers. What is required there is a thorough knowledge of 

 home methods as to breeding and preserving, qualified by adapt- 

 ation to local conditions, and preservation from the attacks of 

 foreign " vermin. " 



A wide margin of selection is possible, as the chapters on 

 " Pheasants adapted to the Covert " amply testify, and the birds 

 described therein are beautifully illustrated. But the illustrative 

 charm is to be found in the vignettes, which represent many muti- 

 lations and distortions interesting to the zoologist, and " still " 

 game which will not, as is often the case, appal the critical eyes 

 of the experienced sportsman. 



Papers presented to the World's Congress on Ornithology. Edited 

 by Mrs. E. Irene Rood, under the direction of Dr. Elliott 

 Coues. Chicago : Charles H. Sergei Company. 1896. 



This volume is a souvenir of the World's Columbian Exposi- 

 tion of 1893. The Congress on Ornithology was decided on 

 rather late, and but a few weeks elapsed 'between the formation 

 of the Committee and the actual session of the Congress. The 

 design of the Committee was " to have the Congress treat 

 of birds from the standpoint of the scientist, the economist, and 

 the humanitarian," and the last position has certainly been well 

 represented. 



The Presidential Address of Dr. Elliott Coues is a most 

 interesting ornithological contribution, and reminds one very 

 much of a compressed analogy to some of the letters in the 

 1 Introduction to Entomology ' by Kirby and Spence, for it 

 details with much freshness the many benefits and the fewer 

 injuries derived from birds. Dr. Coues emphasizes the fact of 

 their beneficial qualities by a very practical remark, and one which 

 to-day possesses as much force in England as in America. 

 " The usefulness of birds as insecticides is measurable in money 

 — and that is something everybody can understand." 



A very suggestive paper entitled " Hints at the Kinship and 

 History of Birds as shown by their Eggs " is contributed by Mr. 



