66 
The Ohio Naturalist. 
[Vol. IV, No. 3 , 
THE BIRDS OF OHIO. 
Quite recently a neat volume under the above title has appeared. 
The work contains 671 quarto pages ; the author is William Leon 
Dawson, A. M., with introduction and keys by Professor Ljmds 
Jones, of Oberlin College. The subject of Ohio birds is full}' 
treated both from technical and popular standpoints, consideration 
l)eing given to nesting habits, recognition marks and distribution 
of each species. Man}’ of the species are represented by plates 
made after the tricolor process of ])hotography, and besides over 
200 first-class halftones add to the value and interest of the work. 
Most of the photographs from which the halftones were made are 
the author’s own, l)ut it is also a pleasure to note that a number 
of credits are given for photograplis furnished by many others, 
some of whom are or have been students at the university. The 
volume will surely be an important factor in stimulating the study 
of Ornithology in Ohio and elsewhere. With the work which 
Professor Jones has recently done and published in a special paper 
of the Ohio State Academy of Science, the bird fauna of the State 
is so thoroughly known that it is not probable that many new 
records of species will be added. As careful keys have been 
prepared for all the species taken so far, the Ohio student has in 
“The Birds of Ohio’’ a monograph to which he can turn for 
satisfaction in all local matters concerned with the subject treated. 
The author has treated the species beginning with what are 
known as the highest birds, an arrangement which does not seem 
quite natural, but as he gives good reasons for so doing we do 
not feel like taking exceptions to the order adopted. The North- 
ern Raven on account of his shrewdness and dignity is a splendid 
subject with which to begin so important a work. 
P'or particulars regarding the work, address The Whe.-\.ton 
PuBEisniNG Co., 1216 The Hayden, Columbus, O. — J. S. H. 
A PRACTICAL DISSECTING TRAY. 
L. K. W.-VCTON. 
\’arious kinds of dissecting trays have been described b}"- 
Hatschek and Cori, Kiikenthal, Dodge, Pratt, Mark, Kellogg 
and others, all of which, however, are more or less unsuited to 
general conditions of laboratory work. 
A tray which apparently meets all requirements can be made 
by selecting a suitable china dish, attaching the cloth called 
“cottonwool” or “cotton flannel” to the bottom, with the 
smooth side down, by means of Le Page’s glue, and pouring in a 
mixture of melted beeswax and lampblack. The glue should 
