Book Review
New Books and other publications will be reviewed in this department. Authors wishing publications reviewed should send them to the Editor, who will examine them personally and give them due consideration.
New Books and other publications will be reviewed in this department. Authors wishing publications reviewed should send them to the Editor, who will examine them personally and give them due consideration.
“A. O. U. Check-list of American Birds.” This book was prepared by a committee appointed by the Union, namely, Elliott Coues, J. A. Allen, Robert Ridgway, William Brewster, and H. W. Henshaw. This is the second and revised edition, the original edition was published in 1885. The new edition includes numerous additions and nomenclatural changes made since the publication of the first, together with a revision of the “habitats” of the species and sub-species, but omitting the Code of Nomenclature, which was published separately in 1892. It is expected that the new Check-list will remain without another edition for at least ten years. It should be in the hands of every ornithologist.
“The Popular Science News” for January is much improved and enlarged. This magazine fills a special field; it seems that it is intended more for the general reader than the specialist, yet neither can afford to be without it. Probably there is no paper in America that is doing more to popularize science and to interest the general public in scientific knowledge, than this journal. We do not hesitate to recommend it to any one who desires to keep abreast with the discoveries and news in the scientific world.
The December, 1895, issue of the “Nidologist” shows a marked improvement by way of illustrations. Among the features above par, the elegant design on the cover presents itself. The view of Heligoland, “the magnetic pole of the bird world,” is of consummate interest. Last, but not of the least value, is the half-tone of the brethren at the A. O. U. Congress at Washington; this illustration alone is worth a year’s subscription.
“The American Zoologist and Journal of Science” made its appearancewith the new year. The first issue of Vol. 1, contains thirty-six pages of very interesting and instructive reading matter. It is edited by J. Hobart Egbert of Holyoke, Mass.
Barrows, Walter B., and E. A. Schwarz. “The Common Crow of the United States.” Bull. No. 6, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1895, pp. 1-98, 1 pl. 2 figs.
Beal, F. E. L. “The Crow Blackbirds and Their Food.” Reprinted from the Yearbook of the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture for 1894. Pp. 233-248, figs. 1.
Beal, F. E. L. “Preliminary Report on the Food of Woodpeckers.” Bull. No. 7, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1895, pp. 1-33, 1 pl., 3 figs.
Burns, Frank L. “The American Crow, (Corvus americanus) with special reference to its nest and eggs.” Bull. No. 5, Wilson’s Orn. Chap, of Agassiz Assn., 1895, pp. 1-41.
Fisher, A. K. “Hawks and Owls from the Standpoint of the Farmer.” Reprinted from the Yearbook of the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture for 1894. Pp. 215-232, pl. 3, figs. 3.
Jones, Lynds. “Minotiltidae.” Bull. No. 4, Wilson Orni. Chap. of Agassiz Assn., 1895, pp. 1-22.
Lucas, F. A. “The Tongues of Woodpeckers.” Bull. No. 7, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1895. Pp. 35-41, pl. 3.
“The A. O. U. Check-list of North American Birds.” Second and revised edition. Issued by the American Ornithologists’ Union, 1895. Pp. 1-372, I-XII, 8vo, cloth.
“The Nidologist.” Vol. 3, No. 4. Dec. 1895.
“Popular Science News.” Vol. 30, No. 1. January, 1896.
“The Oologist,” Vol. 12, No. 12. December, 1895.
“Oregon Naturalist.” Vol. 3, No. 1. January, 1896.
“Gameland.” Vol. 8, No. 1. December, 1895.
“The American Zoologist and Home Journal of Science.” Vol. 1, No. 1.
“Game and Shooting.” Vol. 1, No. 11.
“The Linnean Fern Bulletin.” Vol. 4, No. 1, January 1896.
For the lack of space, we cannot give further mention of publications received. In our next issue we shall give more space to this department.
No. 1. Salem, Ia., January, 1896.
We do not desire to expose the private affairs of the I. O. A. to the general public, hence the necessity of the I. O. Supplement. Copies are sent only to the members of the I. O. A.
I desire to extend thanks to those members who have sent in new subscribers. Continue the good work. The Chairman of the Finance Committee says: “Wake up the boys, in your next issue, to secure subscribers and members—we must have them to succeed.”
Always when you write enclose some note on the birds.
Each officer of the I. O. A., and chairman of each committee, is requested at the close of every quarter to send a report of their work. Remember this on April 1st.
Some time ago I forwarded the names of Guy C. Rich, Sioux City, and M. Earl Halvorsen, Forest City, for active membership and W. E. Mulligan, Grand Rapids, Mich., for associate, to the executive council; have not heard from them yet. Please be more prompt.
According to Sec. 8 of the By-Laws, the annual dues of active members are $1.00, payable January 1st of each year. If you have not paid your dues for 1896, this paragraph is marked with a blue pencil. Please do not delay remitting.
Mr. E. B. Webster, Cresco, Ia., is doing the printing of Vol. II for $80.00, same to be made in two payments: first, when second issue is completed, and second, when the fourth issue is printed. We have 500 copies printed of each issue.
From Oct. 1st to Dec. 31st, 1895.
DAVID L. SAVAGE, Treas.
The compilation committee appointed at the First Annual Congress of the I. O. A. has begun work and expects, by the time of the Second Congress, to be held next summer, to make a good showing on a report which is to be, if possible, a complete “Annotated List of the Birds of Iowa.” In order to make this list as comprehensive as possible, it is earnestly requested that every member send to the chairman of the compilation committee a marked check list showing every species on which he can furnish original, authentic Iowa notes. These lists will be examined and whenever a species is noted onwhich the report of the committee is lacking, incomplete or unsatisfactory, the notes on that species will be sent for. The marked check lists should all be in the hands of the undersigned before May 31, 1896. This early notice is given in order that members may observe, with especial caution, during the spring of ’96, for fresh and valuable notes. These notes should bear particularly on the food, breeding habits, abundance of individuals, economic value, and migrations.
Fraternally,Chas. R. Keyes,Chairman Com.
Address until May 31st, Blairstown, Iowa.