Recent Literature. 
171 
ornithologists. In response to Mr. Ridgway’s call for an expression of 
opinion on the subject of trinomials, we have taken this occasion to pre- 
sent freely our own view of the case, — for whatever it may be worth. — 
J. A. A. 
[In reply to Mr. Ridgway’s request for the views of other ornithologists, 
we may state that we are more than ever satisfied of the expediency of 
using trinomials ; and we coincide with Mr. Allen’s view that they had 
better be written “ pure and simple.” In evidence that we practice what 
we preach, we refer to the “ Birds of the Colorado Valley,” and other 
writings or editings of ours of the past two or three years. We wish that 
all contributors to this Bulletin would adopt this rule. — E. C.] 
Cory on the Birds of the Magdalen Islands.* — In a sumptu- 
ous little quarto Mr. C. B. Cory has given an account of a summer trip to 
the Magdalen Islands, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, undertaken, as he tells 
us, primarily for ornithological purposes. Part, I consists of a general 
account of the Islands, more especially of the Bird Rocks, the record of a 
day’s sporting on Grindstone Island, and directions how to reach the 
Magdalen group, etc. Part II gives a list of one hundred and nine spe- 
cies observed or taken by the author, and fifteen others that he believes 
may be found there at other seasons of the year. The annotations relate 
mainly to the habits and relative abundance of the species. Especially 
noteworthy is the occurrence of the Piping Plover (JEgialitis meloda 
circumcinctd ) , which is stated to be an “ abundant species.” The speci- 
mens brought home by Mr. Cory not only affirm its occurrence there, but 
represent typically the so-called circumcinctd. Less satisfactory is the 
record of the Catbird (. Mimus carolinensis ), which is included “ with hesi- 
tation,” and on Mr. Cory’s having heard what he “ believed to be its 
peculiar cry.” As the Magdalen Islands are far beyond its known or 
probable range, perhaps it may not be unjust to suggest that stronger 
evidence may be requisite before it can be properly allowed a place in the 
fauna of these Islands. Most of the species of the list, it may be stated, 
are given only on the basis of actual capture. — J. A. A. 
Roosevelt’s Notes on some of the Birds of Oyster Bay, 
Long Island. — This is a brochure of a single leaf, containing notes on 
seventeen species, observed at the above-named locality, by Mr. Theodore 
Roosevelt. The date of publication is “March, 1879.” Several of the 
species are given as rare to the locality, while the observations respecting 
others are of interest. — J. A. A. 
* A Naturalist in the Magdalen Islands ; giving a Description of the Islands, 
and List of the Birds taken there, with other Ornithological Notes. By Charles 
B. Cory. Illustrated from Sketches by the Author. Boston, 1878. Small 4to. 
Part II, Catalogue of Birds taken or observed in the Magdalen Islands, with 
Notes regarding those found breeding, etc., etc. pp. 33 - 83. 
