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 JAN., 19o2. THE CONDOR 23 occupies twenty-three pages, the present volume deals exclusively with the Ivringillide or Sparrow Irarally. There are keys to the genera, species and subspecies, much after the style of Ridgway's "Manual," with pertinent description statements of distribution, and extended synonymies of each. "The descrip- tions are limited to essential characters," and in the case of subspecies to brief comparative diagnoses, with average measurements of available specimens. The distribution of each form is stated in detail. Extreme localities are definitely named, and, if irregular, the range is ac- curately indicated. This feature is a most use- ful one to the student, and is far in advance of most previous systematic books. The time is past when a stated habitat like "Western United States," "Mountainous regions of the West," or even "California," is of any intrinsic value. It is to be hpped that the next A. O. U. check-list will follow Mr. Ridgway's precedent. The most valuable part of the present work to the student of birds I believe to be the care- fully prepared synonymy accompanying each description. This serves as an index to the literature of a species, as well as a guide to the systematic worker. In most cases a hint in parenthesis gives an idea as to the nature of the article referred to, or at least as to the locality to which it pertains. In the matter of nomenclature, the A. O. U. Code is followed. Strict adherence to the original spelling of scientific names is main- tained. "The correction of an author's ortho- graphical errors is a pernicious practice." Vernacular names, however, are not quite up to date in that proper possessives retain the superfluous "'s"! As affecting California the author has made a few rnlings open to question. In some cases I believe insufficient material has led to unwar- ranted acceptance or rejection of forms. For instance, a race of the spurred towbee, Pipilo maculatus atratus, is distinguished, the type being from Pasadena. [?ipilo maculatus] mealonya: was described by Baird from Ivort Tejon which is only sixty miles from Pasa- dena and in practically the same fanhal area. Moreover I have failed to find a single sub- stantial character to separate a series of towbees from Pasadena and a series from the Sierras. Of the former only about one male out of thr'ee have the upper parts, including the rump, continuously black, this being the principal character assigned. On the other hand, Mr. Ridgway failed to recognize Piplo maculalus.alcifer, which has severat discover- able characters, and which also represents a distinct fannal area. Pipilofuscus carola is admitted, but does not prove well-founded. These points' and others will all in time be worked out satisfactorily. Meanwhile we must sincerely thank Mr. Ridgway for his immense expenditure of time and talent in the preparation of this invaluable monograph. The succeeding parts will be awaited with renewed anticipation. The whole work will form an absolutely necessary working manual for all twentieth century systematic ornith- ologists. JOSEP GRINNELL. STORIES OF BIRD LIFE. By T. Gilbert Pearson. With illustrations by and under the supervision of Jno. L. Ridgway, pp. 236. This is a popular work of 20 chapters given over to breezy narratives, aud is in all.respects a thoroughly model bird book, reflecting the varied experiences of the author's many years afield. The work is intended largely as a text-book for intermediate grades in schools but is nevertheless one of the most meritorious popular works which has appeared. It pos- sesses a delight in that rhapsodic sentiment is lacking and the experiences of Mr. Pearson are given in a peculiarly interesting vein. After all, our writerS have fonnd nothing so productive of appreciation as the plain truth, simply told, which permits the beginner to evolve healthy conclusions. Each chapter of the book treats of some in- dividual species or else of some group amid its natural surroundings. Thus .the opening chapter deals with "The Arredondo Sparrow Hawks," which for years established them- selves in a certain grove and came to be fami- liarly known to the author. Charming indeed is "The Childhood of Bib-Neck," a chapter de- voted to the early life of one of a brood of XVilson plover, which underwent a precarious infancy in the midst of preying hawks, pirati- cal gulls and the omnipresent gunner along the ocean shore. "An Old Barred Owl" is a chapter cleverly portraying the craftiness of a "swamp owl" who made frequent visits to the various farm- yards, only to be outwitted later by the inexo- rable grip of a steel trap, while his mate like- wise fell prey to a "figure-four" box and was smnmarily executed by an irate farmer. Each chapter of the brx)k is peculiarly well rounded out. The plates by Mr. Ridgway are excellent while the numerous text figures lend much to the attractiveness of the volume. B. i v. John- son Publishing Co., Richmond, Va. Price 6o cents, postpaid.--C. B. BIRDS OF SON'G & STORY by Elizabeth and Joseph Grinnell is a popular bird book of 5o pages, illustrated by numerous color-type plates of mounted birds. The text is by Mrs. Grinnell who deals with a number of our best known birds in her usual charming manner, and the work should appeal to those who love popular bird literature. A. W. Mumford Chicago.