174 
Recent Literature. 
delawarensis , L. tridactyhis, Colymbus septentrionalis , and Podiceps cornu- 
tus. It is surprising that such species as Lanius borealis , Passerculus 
savanna , Melospiza palustris , Spizella pusilla, Accipiter fuscus , Buteo line- 
atus , Tringoicles macularius, and Porzana Carolina should have escaped 
notice in the first list. 
That the present paper has undergone thorough and careful revision, 
as well as increase in size by the addition of new species, is evidenced by 
the different nature of the remarks under certain species. For example, 
in the “ Rathbun-Fowler List,” Polioptila ccerulea is said to be “ Irregular 
as to numbers, but never rare. Perhaps it breeds. Arrives from the 
south in May.” And Dendroeca striata is given as “ a very rare migrant.” 
In the present paper we find under the head of P. ccerulea : “ Rare. One 
taken near Penn Yan, N. Y. No date given. Gilbert.'” And under D. 
striata: “ Common. Arrives the third week in May, and leaves the last 
of September.” Such radical changes as these show that Mr. Rathbun 
has critically re-examined the evidence on which his former statements 
were based, and has spared no pains to render the “ Revised List ” thor- 
oughly reliable and trustworthy in every respect. 
One point illustrates well the great value of giving exact data in the 
place of conclusions drawn therefrom. In the old list, Anthus ludovicianus 
was stated to be, “Not a rare spring and autumn migrant ; a few remain 
and breed.” In regard to this statement Mr. Allen writes, “ We know not 
as yet on what evidence the record of so improbable an occurrence is 
made, but would suggest that it certainly needs strong backing, the locality 
being climatically and topographically so wholly unlike that usually chosen 
by this exceedingly boreal species as its breeding station.” (Bull. Nutt. 
Ornith. Club, Vol. Ill, No. 1, p. 35, Jan., 1878.) Hence it is with pecu- 
liar interest that we read the following remarks, in the “ Revised List,” 
upon the species now under consideration : “ A common migrant. Seen 
May 14, 1878. Departs the last of October. (Observed in the breeding- 
season, May 18tli, Gilbert.') ” Now the publication of this date (“ May 18 ”) 
throws a flood of light upon the whole matter, clears it up, and explains 
the breeding statement in a most satisfactory manner. A bird which is 
known to breed on the cold and barren rocky shores of Labrador and the 
Arctic regions would naturally be expected to pass us, on its northward 
journey, long before the warm sun and advance of vegetation had caused the 
greater part of our summer residents to commence nesting; but this is not 
the case with the present species. The Titlark seems in no hurry to reach 
its bleak and desolate Arctic home, but loiters slowly along to enjoy the 
spring sunshine and verdure of the districts over which it passes. During 
the spring migration they usually pass through Lewis County, N. Y., 
about the middle of May, and last season (1878) I shot two as late as 
May 21st; hence it is not at all surprising that Mr. Gilbert should have 
found it at Penn Yan, May 18. The occurrence of the following species 
(many of them breeding) in Central New York is worthy of note from its 
