Editotial, 
51 
Mr. Griniiell points out that when the food supply fails on the higher 
altitudes tiie birds return to the lowlands. Towards the close of the chapter 
the author makes some interesting observations re the great mortality 
among bird life and also the e.xtent to which winter's cold contributes to 
this, the following extracts will indicate the thoroughness of these 
observations. 
" The vast mortality in even the more slowly reproducing birds is a result of the equally 
" large birth rate which is essential to provide the host of individuals factoring in this 
" process. The phenomena of migration and limited habitats are results, as well as tlie 
" evolution of new species through geographic variation because of isolation." 
•'The birds become at least doubly numerous from the last of July on, when the 
" families of young came into prominence. When and where does the pinch come which 
" reduces this great augmentation back to normal spring limits." 
" I have on many occasions from year to year, at Pasadena in December and January, 
" noted a great mortality among Audubon Warblers, here, of cour.se, in their winter habitat. 
" This mortality occurs in dry, cold weather, the dead birds being found in the morning on 
" side walks beneath trees, or along hedges where presumably the bird had gone to roost 
" for the night the general impression being that they have been chilled to death by the 
" frost But nothing has impressed itself more forcibly on luy mind than the conclusion 
" thai ■well-fed birds do not die from exposure to cold* ...I have examined many invariably 
" foinid them emaciated and without a trace of fat they succumbed from ill-nourishment 
" because of the scarcity of food to which they were adapted We begin to see, then, 
" what becomes of tlie yearly increase Of course there are other factors enemies 
" among both birds and mammals There must be much variation in the individual 
"ability of birds to secure an adequate living when food is scarce. And, by the process 
" of natural elimination, it nmst be that species are becoming more and more intensely 
"' developed in their food getting ability, along the line of greatest advantage." 
Thus ends a chapter of great interest, which is but feebly indicated by 
the extracts given above. The List of Birds is very complete, and the notes 
on distribution, wild life, etc., of great interest. The whole fauna of the 
region is dealt with in a like exhaustive and thorough manner— the work is 
well illustrated with coloured maps and about 30 excellent photographic 
reproductions. It should form a welcome addition to very many of our 
members' bookshelves. 
JEDitorial. 
A RARE ARRIVAL. Our esteemed member, Mrs. K. Leslie Miller, 
is the fortunate possessor of the only living specimen of Leclanche's Bunt- 
ing (CyrtMOS/i/^a leclancheri) which has so far reached this country. It is an 
exquisite species, rivalling the smaller Tanagers {Chlorophonia) for beauty 
and far more dainty and beautiful than the gorgeous and familiar Non- 
pariel Bunting. It belongs to the same genus as the well known Indigo 
and Nonpareil Buntings, and is described as the Rainbow Bunting by Mr. 
Beebe in " Two Bird Lovers in Mexico." It is certainly appropriate and 
much more suitable for so dainty a gem than the formidable cognomen 
•The italics are mine.— Ed. 
