Michigan Ornithologicai. Club 47 



RECENT LITERATURE. 



Dawson's Birds of Ohio. — (See page 25, March issue.) 



So many are the popular nature books dealing with birds that the 

 student is apt to be rather skeptical regarding the announcement of a "new 

 book on popular ornithology." Such was probably the view taken by many 

 of the Rev. Wm. Leon Dawson's announcement of a new book on the birds 

 of the Buckeye State. This skepticism has proved to be without grounds, 

 however, as he has given us one of the most notable books on popular, 

 scientific ornithology which has as yet appeared in this country. 



The work is an imperial quarto, printed on fine paper and illustrated by 

 eighty colored plates, exclusive of the 700 or more pages of text. It is the 

 200 finely prepared text cuts which will appeal to the student who is already 

 familiar with most of the birds dealt with in the work. 



"Our medical advisers," says Prof. Lynds Jones in the Introduction, "are 

 always prescribing more out-door exercise, but without any other object 

 than getting into the fresh air exercise is pretty stupid. Give one the zest 

 of finding new things which must be searched for, something which requires 

 going after and the necessity of exercise is forgotten in the interest aroused 

 by every receding bird." The reader of this work will not need the M. D.'s 

 advice to "seek exercise in the fresh air," for but a glance through its pages 

 tends to give one spring fever. 



The beginner will find the "Analytical Keys," also written by Prof. 

 Jones, of much value and assistance. Preceding each biography is a descrip- 

 tion of the bird — special stress being laid upon the "Recognition Marks." 

 Then we have descriptions of the nesting, the "Range in Ohio" and "General 

 Range." 



While the author has drawn to an extent upon other works for informa- 

 tion, we have in the main original observations on the birds of the state, 

 written in a charming manner by one who knows his subject well. In 

 Appendix A we have a "Hypothetical List." Appendix B is a "Conjectural 

 List" and contains a list of birds which have been reported from adjacent 

 states and may "occur at least casually in Ohio." Appendix C is a check-list 

 of Ohio birds, together with "Migration Tables" as observed at Cincinnati, 

 Columbus and Cleveland. 



As we have already stated, Mr. Dawson has given us one of the greatest 

 works on popular, scientific ornithology which has yet been written — every 

 student in the Great Lake region will find it interesting and profitable read- 

 ing.— A. Wl. B., Jr. 



Cooper Ornithological Club Publications. — One of the most prosperous 

 of the ornithological clubs in this country is the Cooper Club of California. 

 Organized in 1893 it has ever since remained active. Who is not familiar 

 with the "Cooper boys" of the West? The publications of this society are of 

 two series : The Condor is a beautiful bi-monthly teeming with the breath of 

 western fields and mountains — for four years edited by the late lamented 

 Chester Barlow; now under the able direction of Walter K. Fisher. 



