No. 484] 



NOTES AM) LITERATURE 



283 



in the author's mind. The lirsi cliaptrr, tlicivtoir, pivscius ilic 

 essential fa(•t^ ^^hi(■ll pahi<(.niol..K> . ..in nl>nt.>. to out know UmI^ti^ of 

 the bird .uhI t liroiiiihoiit the book there are fre(|uent ami illuniinatinjr 

 references to lioiiiolooics or analogies in the kindred classes. The 

 delieate balance ol Nature and the complex interrelations of all 

 organic lih; are well illustrated in the chaj)ter on food. 



Where a large number of forms are (Hscussed it is dilficult to avoid 

 the appearance of a mere catalogue of compiled facis. Kvaiis Dic- 

 tionary of Birds is a noticeable example of work of tins kind. Mr. 

 Beebe has avoided this danger 1)V a liap])y introduction troin time to 

 time of bits of personal ob.servation, or by enlarging on some excep- 

 tionally interesting habit or structure. The reference to a flamingo 

 observed by Mr. Beebe, weeping from terror because a condor was 

 playfully "galloping" around it, illustrates also the author's happy 

 choice of words. 



The suggestion of problems to the solution of which careful obsen- 

 ers can bring assistance, the frequent references to Nature's evasions 

 of our pet theories, and the conservative position taken on dis])iited 

 points, begets in the reader a stn.ncr ami deserved tVeliiii: ot confi- 

 dence that Mr. Beebe possesses together with Ins power ot pici nres(|ii.' 



scientist. Mr. Beebe is evidently a strong believer m M-\iial M'ledion. 

 but he puts forth (p. 318) an interesting suggestion that the dispiav 

 of the male bird instead of affecting the jesthetic sense of the female 



tion.s on" color chanlvs due directlv to .-nvironment or food. White- 

 throated .,,arro^^. and uood thru^he. turne.l ahn-.^r Mack when 



Thouii-li primarilv intemle<l for tin- instruction of amateurs, Mr. 

 Beebe'. ixu.k i. one that nmII at om e ^^\^^ an honorable place in the 



school shotiM b.' without it. It will b.^ tin'' hope of all who use this 

 manual, that Mr. Beel)e will follow it by a similar treatment of the 

 intelligence of birds. 



R. H. 



