48 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XII 
We are pleased to announce the addition of a 
new name to the list of active bird men resident 
in California. Mr. J. H. Bowles, late of Tacoma, 
Washington, has removed to Santa Barbara, 
which he will make his home. As a result of 
his bird work in the vicinity we may expect 
some ornithology along new lines, at least for 
that region. Mr. Bowles is an intensive student 
of life histories, and an accurate and vivid writer. 
PUBLICATIONS REVIEWED 
A second new fossil bird from the asphalt 
beds near Los Angeles is described by Mr. Love 
Holmes Miller ill a paper entitled TeraT- 
ornis a new Avian Genus from Rancho la 
Brea.* The species is, of course, new, as well 
as the genus and is called Teratornis merriami, 
in honor of Professor John C. Merriam of the 
University of California, thru whose efforts the 
Rancho la Brea fossil beds have been brought 
to the attention of paleontologists. 
The description is based on corocoids, ster- 
num, and nearly complete skull. The frag- 
ments so far secured represent at least four in- 
dividuals. The bird is related to the Birds of 
Prey, and was of immense size, much greater 
than any existing flying bird. It is found 
difficult to assign the new form to any existing 
family, tlio vulture-like characters predom- 
inate. Since the limb bones and feet are still 
unknown final conclusions as to relationship 
are postponed; yet it appears probable that a 
new family will have to be establisht for it. 
This discovery is in the greatest degree of im- 
portance and interest, probably more so than any 
previous one among fossil birds for two decades. 
In the same paper there is also described a 
new species of vulture, larger than the Turkey 
Buzzard, closely related to the Black Vulture of 
the .South Atlantic States. This is called 
Catharista occidentalis. As Mr. Miller’s work 
on the fossil birds of the Rancho la Brea beds 
continue, we may expect further discoveries of 
extreme interest in the light that they shed on 
the history of the avifauna of southern Califor- 
nia. — J. G. 
The Habitat Groups of North American 
Birds in the American Museum of Nat- 
ural History. By Frank M. Chapman, 
Curator of Ornithology. (— Guide Leaflet 
Series, no. 28, New York, February, 1909, pp. 
1-48). 
As indicated in the title, this is an explana- 
tory manual of the beautiful series of habitat 
groups of North American birds now on exhi- 
bition in the American Museum. Each one is 
figured, and to nearly every one about a page 
of text is devoted, explaining the figures in 
the group, and the mode of life of the species 
treated. A map indicates the localities repre- 
sented — “From the Bahamas to the Gulf of St. 
*Univ. Calif. Publ. Geology V, pp. 305-317, figs. 1-11; 
issued Sept. 10, 1909. 
Lawrence, from the Atlantic to the Pacific”— 
and each group, we are told “is the result of a 
special Museum expedition in charge of the 
Curator of Ornithology.” The subjects are 
well chosen, and, judging from the illustra- 
tions, the work is magnificently carried out. 
He is indeed a fortunate man who can bring an 
undertaking such as this to a successful con- 
clusion. — IT. S. S. 
Mr. Ernest Adams has recently publisht a 
local list of decided interest to Californians 
entitled Land Birds of Placer County 
(—Placer County Institute Research, October 
12, 1909, pp. 27-46) . 
In this paper 158 species are formally men- 
tioned, and brief notes are given as to relative 
abundance, seasonal occurrence, and local dis- 
tribution. Of particular interest to the reviewer 
is the record of two Cedar Waxwings in the 
County as late as June 19. The author does 
not, however, give his opinion as to whether or 
not this may indicate the nesting of the species 
in the region. It seems probable, in our mind, 
that it is merely a late date of departure. An- 
other record of note is that of the Phainopepla, 
on September 8. 
The list is a large one, for the land birds of 
a single county; but it must be remembered 
that Placer County includes a transection of 
the Sierra Nevada from the western lowlands to 
Lake Tahoe. All of the life zones with their 
characteristic species, are thus represented in 
the County. 
Lists, of the nature of the present one, are 
always of value locally. School teachers and 
others interested in an amateur way will find 
Mr. Adams' list of decided aid. And further, 
those more advanced bird students interested in 
general distribution will find in this paper 
much data of value. — J. G. 
The Birds of New Jersey. By Witmer 
Stone, Curator, Academy of Natural Sciences, 
of Philadelphia. (—Annual Report of the 
New Jersey State Museum, Part II, Trenton, 
N. J., 1909, pp. 11-348, pll. 1-84). The object 
of the present report is “to present keys 
and descriptions that will enable anyone to 
identify birds that he may see, to give a brief 
sketch of the more characteristic habits of the 
common species, and at the same time to in- 
clude such facts and records on the distribu- 
tion of all species as will make the report a 
thoroughly up-to-date list of the birds of the 
State.” All this it appears to do, clearly 
and concisely, while the author’s name is 
sufficient guarantee of the care and accuracy 
with which the work is carried out. There are 
chapters on the destruction and protection of 
birds, ami on distribution and migration, while 
the report closes with a bibliography of the 
principal books and papers treating of New 
