MAy., I9O2. [ THE CONDOR 75 PUBLICATIONS REVIEWED. SUMMER BIRDS OF FLATHEAD LAKE, by P. M. Silloway (= University of Montana Bull., No. 3, Biol. Set. No. I, [Dec. ?] I9OI ). This is a neatly prepared paper of 83 pages and I6 plates, treating at more or less length of I28 species. The plates are from photos. mostly of nests and eggs, though these are de- tached, that is, not in situ. The accounts re- late chiefly to the nesting habits and local dis- tribution of each bird. These are of much general interest for in this section of Montana eastern species are found bre'eding in close proximity to typically western forms; for ex- ample, red-eyed vireo and Audubon warbler, common kingbird and Arkansas kingbird, catbird and Louisiana tanager. We are parti- cularly interested in the extended biographi- cal accounts of the willow thrush, olive- backed thrush, Macgillivray warbler, Audu- bon warbler, cedar waxwing and Wright flycatcher. The present publication also con- tains much valuable data for the student of geographical distribution. The known ranges of several forms, such as lrcteria virens longi- cauda, seem to be materially extended. As the author clearly states, the records, tentatively made of Larus occidenlalis, 3zrelospiza georgi- ans and Coccyzus e?ylhrophlhalmus are open to question, and should not be accepted until their identity is confirmed. We wish that all authors of similar productions would take as much care as is evidenced in Mr. Silloway's paper. "Summer Birds of Flathead Lake" is a credit to its author and to the University of Montana.--J. G. ANNOTATED LIST OF TItE BIRDS OF ORE- GON, A. R. Woodcock (=Bull. No. 68, Ore. Agr. Exp. Sta., Jan. t9o2 ). It was with pleasant anticipation that we be- gan the perusal of this Ioo-page list. For Oregon is of extreme interest ornithologically, and a succinct resume ? of the birds of that State would be a valuable basis for the work- ing faunist, as well as a guide to local observers. But the present paper is a disappointment. It bristles with indefinite statements, question- able records and obvious misidentifications. We cannot help but doubt the records of such species as/Innspenelope ("common in spring!)" Gelochelidon nilotica ("a very common fall migrant"), t?qfinus stricklandi, Jtregascops tatumcola ("saw one specimen"), Jrar?vrnatopus palliatus, Spizella pusills arenacea, and others, besides fully twenty-five ntisapplied trino- mials. Previous literature relevant to Oregon birds is apparently ignored, only Belding's "Land Birds of the Pacific District," and Bendire's "Life Histories" being quoted. The major part of the information seems to have been de- rived from local observers some of whom are evidently inexperienced. True, the author disclaims any responsibility for the statements of his correspondents. But still we believe it the duty of compilers to exert intelligent dis- crimination, at the same time showing utmost conservatism. We cannot see that the pre- sent list is of any scientific value whatever. It will certainly serve to increase the drudgery of the synonymist and swell his hypothetical lists. Itstill remaius therefore for someone to prepare an authoritative checklist of Oregon birds.--J. G. BIRDS OF SONG AND STORY I by [ Eliza- beth and Joseph Grinnell [ Authors of "Our FeatheredFriends" [ [poem, 7lines] [ [vig- nettel [ Chicago [ A. W. Mumford, Publish- er [ I9OI [December]. To the amateur bird-student and to those who have a taste for literature rather than dry compilations of observations the present book will prove of pleasing interest. The authors have apparently endeavored to sugar-coat a fair amount of information with enough of word-painting and romance to insure its recep- tion by a class of readers which far outnumber real bird-students. The scaffolding of facts presented is true to nature, and in places even the hardened "bird-crank" is thrilled by the vividness of portrayal. The chapter on "The Meadow Lark" happened in particular to im- press the present reviewer with its vein of pathos and homely allusion. Among the six- teen chapters contained in the book others which we can especially recommend are on "The Mocking Bird," "The Orioles," "Spar- rows and Sparrows," "At Nesting Time," and "The Tanager People." Although evideutly intended for more or less juvenile readers, Birds of Song and Slory will be read with in- terest by people of maturer taste as well. The sixteen full-page illustrations (of the birds treated in the text) are done in the well-known three-color process.--C. B. COMMUNICATIONS. Editor T?; CONDOR: In your March issue there appears a letter from Dr. R. W. Shufeldt, in regard to the pterylography of hummingbirds, which seems to me to demand a word of reply. Dr. Shu- feldt asks why I inquire whether "humming- birds are cypseloid or caprimulgoid." If he had read the first paragraph of my paper in Xcience carefully, he would not have to be in- formed that it was because Professor D'Arcy W. Thompson says they are more caprimul- goid than cypseloid in their pteryloses, while I hold as does Dr. Shufeldt that they are not at all caprimulgoid. As to whether they are cypseloid or not, Dr.
