1883. | ; Recent Literature. 635 
said to be “ almost unknown in the Middle States ;” nothing is said 
of the abundance or scarcity of the ermine, mink or skunk, and 
the same defect of localization is evident throughout. The badger 
“formerly extended to Ohio,” and the black bear was abundant 
in 1805. The reader will search in vain for facts not contained in 
older works. 
The section devoted to birds is far better. It commences with 
an account of the topography of the State, and in every case men- 
tions the season at which the species appears, the localities it 
prefers and its abundance or scarcity. Details respecting the 
mode of nesting, eggs, food and habits are also systematically 
given. The Carolina parrot was formerly a visitor, but has not 
made its appearance for several years. The golden eagle is oc- 
casional, and the white-headed eagle abundant in some localities. 
A black vulture (Cathartes atratus) was observed in 1877. . The 
white pelican is a not rare spring and fall migrant; the double- 
crested cormorant occurs but rarely ; the Florida cormorant breeds 
in the State, and several gulls and terns frequent Lake Erie. The 
check list gives 292 species, of which only six are considered ac- 
cidental. A bibliography of Ohio ornithology; a dissertation 
upon the relation between latitude and coloration, in which the 
author asserts, after a careful comparison, “that the pattern of 
coloration in the adults of our Northern birds is the same as that 
found in the young of allied Southern birds,” and a glossary, con- 
clude this section. 
hio supports thirty-six species of reptiles and twenty-five 
batrachians. Of these, three are lizards and thirteen tortoises. 
Jgosoma laterale is included on the authority of Dr. Kirtland; 
Cistudo clausa and Emys meleagris are said to be rare; the cop- 
perhead occurs along the waters of the Mahong, Big Beaver and 
Muskingum rivers, and near Cleveland ; Eutænia proxima is rare ; 
Tropidonotus erythrogaster has not been seen in the State by the 
writer ; the hog-nose snake is occasional in the north-eastern part 
of the State and in Scioto valley, and Pityophis melanoleacus, 
Ophibolus calligaster, O. doliatus, Coluber obsoletus, Cyclophis æs- 
tvus, Diadophis punctatus and Carphophis amenus are rare. — 
. Of the Batrachia, Chorophilus triseriatus is rare, Hyla picker- 
ingu is included solely on the extent of its extra-limital range, and 
Spelerpes longicaudus is rare. The genera Desmognathus and 
Gyrinophilus, though possessing well-marked characters, are not 
admitted, but are included in Plethodon and Spelerpes. Dr. Smith 
notes the occurrence of Menobranchus lateralis in the Hudson, 
and gives the authorities for the statement, that when its gills 
have been nibbled off by small fish, it can survive by cutaneous 
and pulmonary respiration. 
In the introduction to this section several curious particulars 
~a regard to food are given. The bull-frog will vary its insect 
tegime by eating mice and its own species, and Rana halecina has 
