Book News and Reviews
The Bird Book. By Fannie Hardy Eckstrom, Boston, U. S. A., D. C. Heath & Co., 1901. 12mo. Pages xii + 276. Ills. 56. Price, 60 cents.
We believe that the author of this book has accomplished the far from easy task of making a desirable addition to the litera- ture of popular general ornithology. While she appears to be thoroughly familiar with what has previously been written and has often made use of it, her treatment of her theme is distinctly original. In other words, her book is not a compilation along well-worn paths, but an independent expression of opinion.
The book is designed for the primary teacher, and the author's estimate of the educational value of bird study shows in a few words such a comprehensive grasp of its potentialities that we are tempted to quote it. She says: "If we adopt bird-study as the representation of zoological science, as we seem likely to do, it must be not only because it is fairly illustrative of zoological principles, and because its materials are abundant and easily referred to, but because it is pleasurable to beginners.
"Bird-study, or any other special science, is justified in demanding an educational hearing if it contribute generously either to a knowledge of the principles and methods of science in general or to the training of the powers of observation." (Preface.)
The subject matter is somewhat unusual for a first book of birds' and seems to us to be better for young ornithologists than for young people whose interest in birds should be fed on simpler, more palatable food. The first 57 pages are devoted to water birds, few of which come within the range of a child's observation, with the object, it is said, of giving the student "some notion of the breadth of the sub- ject." Part III, 43 pages, on 'Problems of Brid-Life,' is excellent, but, as before said, seems more suitable for ornithologists than for beginners, such subjects as ' Zoögeogra- phy,' 'Subspecies,' etc., being somewhat advanced for the student who perhaps does not know a dozen birds. Part II, 'Structure and Comparison,' and Part IV, 'Some Common Land-Birds,' are admirable; an Appendix has sections on the zoögeographical divisions of the world, with a map of the chief divisions in North America. 'Hints on Observing Birds,' 'Hints on Identifying Strange Live Birds,' 'Certain Questions Answered ' (e. g., Shall a school own mounted birds? Is there any substitute for collections?), and 'Lists of Books.'
The author's well-known experience as a practical ornithologist gives its due value to her work and ensures accuracy of statement. We note, however, one or two slips. Pigeons, for instance, are not the only birds that drink without removing the bill. Sand Grouse resembling them in this respect; nor is the eastern "Bronzed Grackle," a subspecies of the western bird; the Grackle of New England, except in the southern part, being the same as that of the Mississippi valley. The pen and ink full-page drawings of birds are good only when the artist is indebted to Seton-Thompson or J. L. Ridgway, an indebtedness, however, which is not acknowledged.
Fortunately the value of the book does not depend on its illustrations, and we take pleasure in commending it most heartly to all bird students.—F. M. C.
Birds of Western New York. By Elon Howard Eaton. Proc. Rochester Acad. Sci., IV, pp. 1-64, Feb., 1901. This excellent paper contains brief sections on the faunal areas of western New York, a Bibliography, 'Migration and Res- idence' tables, an annotated list of the 297 species known to occur, and a 'Hypothetical List' of species which may occur.
The 'Migration and Residence' table graphical presents in a clear, simple and
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