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 92 THE CONDOR Vol. XXI determination of material, but this is the fault of individuals and not of the system. Also it is rue that subspecific designation is only a part of ornithology, and not its end, but it is a very important part, and although current usages are far from per- fect, we should be very careful not even partially to adopt others that would prove less so. While I am writing this, I wish strongly to protest, though probably in vain, against the indoor sport taken up by many quasi- ornithologists of condemning, without any consideration whatever, every new subspe- cies-which is described. If, after careful comparison of typical material, one who is reasonably familiar with his bird decides that the form .in question is untenable, 1 have nothing to say, for I "live in a glass house" and there are many forms which I think unwarranted. However, the style now seems to be for many who know little about birds, to throw up their hands in horror at every new thing described, without ever hav- ing sen a skin of that form. Even if ma- terial has been examined and no differences noted, the amateur or semi-amateur must remember that, in the first place, his skins may be intergrades, and.in the second, that he may be unable to recognize differences which to a trained specialist may be per- fectly apparent. And so, even if there ap- pear to be entirely adequate grounds for objections, one should be careful to keep from joining in any of Osgood's classical "'dribbling protests."--A. B. HOWELL, Covina, California, December 26, 1918. PUBLICATIONS REVIEWED THE GAME BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA I Contri- bution from the University of California I Museum of Vertebrate Zoology I By I JOSEPH GRINNELL I HAROLD CHILD BRYANT I and I TRACY IRWIN STORR I University of Califor- nia Press I Berkeley I 1918. Large 8vo, pp. x-642, 16 colored pls., 94 figs. in text, 1 ta- ble inserted; issued December 28, 1918. Cloth, $6.00, net. The need of a work such as this has been too real to require further comment after the deficiency has been so adequately met. The Game Birds of California will win im- mediate approval. From the dark blue, gold- lettered cover and excellent colored plates to the dull surfaced paper and beautiful typography it is consistently an admirable book. And if this praise of externals seems unduly to extoll a less important feature, let the reviewer confess himself a lover of at- tractive books and remind the reader that in good society, science well-dressed is not without appreciation, and even praise. To one who knows all three authors, they seem' a very happy combination of crafts- men. Certainly the finished product has justified Doctor Grinnell's prefatory state- ment--"namely that the highest plane of scientific output can be accomplished only through coSperative effort. . -. . Where one author working alone would make mis- takes unawares, two, or better, three, are able to check one another's output to ad- vantage. The best results, always granting mutually sympathetic interest, will follow organized coSperative toil." We learn from the introduction that "In preparing the present volume the authors have attempted to meet the requirements of a varied public. The hunter wishes in- formation concerning the haunts and the habits of our game birds; the naturalist wishes to have the completest possible data regarding their life histories; the legislator who appreciates the necessity of judicious game laws wishes to have the facts that are relevant to his purpose presented in concise form; and the conservationist desires that information which will assist him in his ef- forts to perpetuate our bird life for the ult[. mate benefit of the greatest number of peo- ple. Whether the needs of these various classes have been adequately met in the following pages remains to be proved, but it may at least be stated here that none of them has been overlooked. To each of the four categories of persons above mentioned, this book is offered as a working manual." It seems to the reviewer that the authors have lived up to the task which they set for themselves. One of the underlying incentives for the publication of The Game Birds of Califor- nia was found in the decrease of many spe- cies of game birds and the seeming indif- ference of the public toward instituting ra- tional measures to conserve them. The book adequately treats of the means to be taken to conserve game and makes practical re- commendations suited to each pecies. Introductory chapters are devoted to gen- eral subjects, as follows: Decrease of Game and its Causes; Natural Enemies of Game Birds; The Gun Club in California; History of Attempts to Introduce Non-native Game Birds; The Propagation of Game Birds; Leg- islation Relating to Game Birds in Califor- nia. The sportsman and nature lover will find much of immediate utility in these gen- eral chapters.