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 9 2 THE CONDOR [ Vol. II photograph taken at a distance of five feet. She seemed to feel that the two little pearls under her were perfectly safe in her keeping, and I am happy to add that she was not disappointed. On the t7th of April a set of two eggs of the same species was found on the point of hatching. A nest of the Bush-Tit (Psallriparus miniruns) containing'seven fresh eggs was noted April t2. One of the most curious changes in nesting habits has occurred this season in a colony of Brewer's Blackbirds (Scolecophaus cyanocephalus.) In previous years they have nested in holes of the Red-shafted Flicker high up in some dead firs, but a visit a few days ago disclosed the remarkable fact that every bird is nesting in gooseberry bushes, no more than three feet from the ground. There is no apparent reason for this change .of some seventy-five feet in altitude, for the holes used in previous seasons still appear to be in as good condition as ever. J.H. BowFS, Tacoma, Wash. . Western Winter Ween in. Santa 61ara Coo., Coal.--I nottoe that Mr. Van I)enburgh's c, ounty list does not give the Western Winter Wren (,4norlhura hiemalts pacifica) as occurring in Santa Clara County. One specimen was taken Feb. 7, t9oo, at Stevens Creek t)y a party of Stanford students, and is now in my collection. RonE,*r E. Bm,cE, Stanford University, Cal. Book Reviews BIRD %TUDIES WITH A CAM ERA.--By Frank M. Chapman, pp. 24, with numerous half- tone illustrations. D. Apl)leton & Co., New York. Cloth. In this day of bird photography, when en- thusiasts are afield by the score each summer seeking out the haunts of nesting birds, it is a pleasure to be takeu into the confidence of one who speaks not authoritatively of his uwn work, but whose results bear eloquent testi- mouy of his adaptability to bird photography. Unquestionably Mr. Chapman holds the posi- tion in America which the Kearton Bros. have long held in England,--that of the most suc- cessful portrayer of bird life with the camera. In his substantially entertaining book Mr. Chal)mau does not stop to indulge iu photo- graphic theories and the like, but proceeds at once to illustrate his subject in a most pleasing nmnner. After discussing briefly and gener- ally the apparatus uecessary for successful field work, and explaining the work which may be expected of the various patterns of lenses, the author has combined his exper- iences into appropriate groups and takes the reader afield with him to witness, in imagina- tion, just how the various negatives were se- cured. There is not a (h;y paragraph iu the book, nor scarcely one which does not relate Mr. Chapumu's personal experiences, all of which gives the work immeasurably greater interest than v6uht a mere treatise ou the subject. The chal)ter delineating the home life of the Chickadee and p6rtrayiug a family of uiue fledglings is one of the most delightful in the book, although the chapter devoted to photo- graphy in a swam l) wouht prove a close second. Over too excellent half-tone illustrations by the author, depicting marsh, land. shore aml sea birds in their homes, lend additionalcharm to the volume. Those who have already en- gaged in similar work afield will find many ex- cellent suggestions in the avrk, while the ginner will be enthusiastically impresse:t with the field of delightful possibilities which lies be- fore him. ird 3'turtles lt'7th a mera is easily the most sriking and valuable rk on bird photography which has appeared in America. A MONOGRAPH OF THE FLICKER (Colapies aura/us.)---By Frank L. Burns. Wilson Bul- letin No. 3 I. April, , pp. 82. One plate. Another substantial publication is credited to the Wilson Ornithological Chapter in the appearance of this exceedingly complete pub- lication. Mr. Burns has collaborated his results in a more systematic and pleasing manner than even that which umrked the able Crow Bulle- tin issued under Iris supervision some years ago, and the present publication is in fact what the name implies,a monograph. The paper opens with a list of the scientific and vernacu- lar symmyms of this species, the latter reach- ing the surprising numb'er of 88, and giving the localities iu which each name is current. The life history of the species is then taken up in consecutive chapters such as Geographi- cal Distribution, Flight, Migration, Roosting, Voice, Mating, Nidification, Eggs, lncuhatkm. Young, Molt, Food, Plumage, Hybridism, Atcvisnt, each chapter being singularly valua- ble iu its deductions. The entire paper is ob- viously the product of careful study amt thought and embraces notes from a wide list of field workers. This monograph shonld be in the library of every worktug ornithologist. LE(ISI,ATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF