Recent Literature . 
49 
plored, namely, the islands of Dominica* * and Saint Vincent.f Introduc- 
tory to these lists are several pages descriptive of the islands in question, 
and of his experiences there, by Mr. Ober, and copious notes by the same 
gentleman relating to the habits of the various species observed, and giving 
measurements, color of eyes, etc., from the fresh specimens. The Domin- 
ican list numbers fifty-six species, of which rather more than one third 
are North American, but the greater part of these are wading and swim- 
ming birds. Six species are mentioned that are not scientifically deter- 
mined. To the insular form of the Barn Owl (Strix jlammea ), occurring 
here, Mr. Lawrence gives the varietal name nigrescens. The Saint Vin- 
cent list numbers fifty-nine species (including three undetermined), one 
half of which are common also to the Island of Dominica, and nearly one 
half to North America. About one fifth of the whole number are semi- 
cosmopolitan Grallce. The characteristic species, as would be expected, 
belong to genera almost wholly tropical in distribution. Mr. Ober notes 
especially the paucity of species as well as of individuals, and the total 
absence of Woodpeckers, although the islands are well forested. 
Mr. Ober also made collections at the islands of Grenada, Antigua, and 
Barbuda. Those obtained at the two islands last-named he left to be 
forwarded at the earliest opportunity, but they appear to have not yet 
reached this country. Although Mr. Ober’s work was several times inter- 
nipted by severe illness, the results attained are of the highest importance, 
and relate not only to ornithology but to other departments of science. — 
J. A. A. 
Couf.s’s Field-Notes on Birds observed along the Forty- 
ninth Parallel. — In an article of one hundred and sixteen pages., $ 
Thryothorus musicus, Certhiola atratci, C. saccharina , Leucopeza bishopi, Cal - 
lisle versicolor. ) 
3. Descriptions of Supposed New Species of Birds from the Islands of Gre- 
nada and Dominica, West Indies. By George N. Lawrence. Ann. N. Y. Acad. 
Sci., Vol. I, pp. 160- 163. July, 1878. (Spp. nov. Titrdus caribbceus, Thryo- 
thorus grenadensis, Blacicus brimneicapillus , Quiscalas luminosus.) 
* Catalogue of the Birds of Dominica, from Collections made for the Smith- 
sonian Institution by Frederick A. Ober, together with his Notes and Obser- 
vations. By George N. Lawrence. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. I, pp. 48-69. 
1878. 
+ Catalogue of the Birds of St. Vincent, from Collections made by Mr. Fred- 
erick A. Ober, under the Directions of the Smithsonian Institution, with his 
Notes thereon. By George N. Lawrence. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. I, pp. 
185-198. 1878. 
X Field-Notes on Birds observed in Dakota and Montana along the Forty- 
ninth Parallel during the Seasons of 1873 and 1874. By Dr. Elliott Coues, 
U. S. A., late Surgeon and Naturalist U. S. Northern Boundary Commission. 
Bull. U. £. Geol. Survey of the Territories, Vol. IV, No. 3, pp. 545-661. 
July 29, 1878. 
VOL. IV. 
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