1879. ] Recent Literature. 518 
Salem, from Lynn, Mass. (collector’s name not given) and Massa- 
chusetts bay (Capt. W. H. A. Putnam). Meterythrops, a new 
genus of Schizopoda is characterized and figured. It has the 
cephalothoracic appendages of Farerythrops with the abdominal 
feet in the female rudimentary, and in the male as in Evythrops. 
Sar’s Chiromysis microps is shown to be congeneric with Heter- 
omysis formosa Smith. Following this list, which we have thus 
riefly noticed, is a valuable account of the geographical distri- 
bution of these species. We would, however, note that contrary 
represented in Europe by two species, P. nasutus of the Mediter- 
ranean, and P., /atipes, with a larger distribution. It is shown 
that contrary to the opinion of European zodlogists, the fauna 
of Greenland is as closely allied to that of North America as to 
that of Europe, “ or in other words, it is only part of the great 
arctic, circumpolar fauna.” — F. S. Kingsley. 
INGERSOLL’s Nests AND Eces or AmeRIcCaN Brrps.!—Our notice 
of this important accession to the literature of American orni- 
thology has been too long delayed. It is a work for which there 
is room, and one which bids fair to take and fill acceptably a 
place of its own. No work has yet been provided for the special 
needs of American odlogists, the one attempted many years ago 
Dr. Brewer having failed of accomplishment after the issue of 
the first fascicle. There are very many persons in this country, 
especially among the rising generation, who will be glad to have 
an egg-book “all to themselves ”—one that will teach them the 
distinctive breeding habits of birds, enable them thus to find 
nests and eggs, and when found to make a collection of them. 
Such a work Mr. Ingersoll proposes to furnish, and the first 
installment of his undertaking gives promise that he will discharge 
his self-imposed obligation faithfully. 
_ To judge from the portion already issued, this treatise will win 
its distinctive position and secure a name among numerous com- 
petitors in the field ornithological, by conforming to the implica- 
tion of its title. Mr. Ingersoll does wisely, we take it, in restricting 
himself rigorously to his theme, even at the expense of a certain 
appearance of incompleteness which may strike some unfavorably; 
for it would be of no special use to undertake the systematic 
treatment of North America ornithology. Evidently believing 
that good style may be serviceable even in statement of fact, the 
author would combine literary excellence with scientific merit. 
Recognizing, furthermore, how much has already been done in 
his. chosen field, he seems to prefer to quote a satisfactory descrip- 
tion of nest or egg rather than to produce a duplicate, the con- 
_ cern being rather for the quality than the source of the informa- 
| Nests and Eggs of American Birds. By ERNEST INGERSOLL. S.E. Cassino, — 
Naturalists’ Agency, Salem, Mass, Part 1, PP- 24, pls. 11. (Pub. March, 1879.) 
