Page:Condor12(1).djvu/48

 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 accnrate and vivid writer. PUBLICATIONS REVIEWED A second new fossil bird from the aphal_t beds near Los Angeles is described by Mr. Love HOLMES MILLER in 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, tho 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 Catharisla occidenlals. 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 avifanna 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 m"From the Bahamas to the Gulf of St. issued Sept. 10, 1909. Lawrence, from the Atlantic to the Pacific"-- and each group, w& are told "is the result of a special Museum expedition in charge of the Curator of Ornithology." le 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.--H. 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- rioned, 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 WITTIER 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, and on distribution and migration, while the report closes with a bibliography of the principal books and papers treating of New
 * Univ. Calif Publ. Geology V, pp. 305-317, figs. i-i1;