i-4-O Bird - Lore first volume, and, like it, this will doubtless be found by beginners to be a convenient little book for use in the field. The illustrations are small half-tones, in- stead of outline figures as in the earlier volume.— W. DeW. M. Tenth Annual Report of the New York Zoological Society, 1905. From this report we learn that the bird collection of the Zoological Society now numbers 1,555 specimens, representing 355 species, an increase of 150 per cent in num- ber of individuals and of over 100 per cent in species since January 1, 1905. The report contains an interesting article by C. William Beebe, Curator of Birds, on 'The Swans,' illustrated by reproductions of photographs. The seven living species of Swans are arranged in two genera, one in- cluding only the famous Black Swan of Australia, the other (divided by some authorities into three genera) comprising the Black-necked Swan of southern South America and the five pure white species inhabiting the northern regions of both hemispheres. We are told that the Black Swan is near- ing extinction in its native Australian home, this deplorable state of affairs being due largely to the helpless condition of the birds during the period of molt. On the other hand, the introduction of this species in New Zealand has been oniy too successful, as the following quotation will show: "Mr. E. F. Stead, who has personally witnessed present conditions in New Zea- land, reports that Swans may now be seen there in great flocks, sometimes of five and six thousand individuals. They are driving away all ducks and geese, not by actual aggressiveness, but more surely by preempt- ing all feeding grounds and nesting places. "To mention a specific location, on Lake Ellsmere there are hundreds of Swans nest- ing throughout the year. The birds are comparatively tame, notwithstanding the fact that all protection has been removed from them, and numbers are constantly shot wantonly, even while sitting upon their eggs "— W. De W. M. The Ornithological Magazines The Condor. — The May number of 'The Condor' contains five general articles of varied interest. The leading article on 'The Chickadee at Home,' by W. L. Finley, treats of the breeding habits of the Oregon Chickadee and is illustrated by four half- tones. Under the title, 'The English Spar- row in the Southwest,' Howard presents some notes on the dates of appearance of this pest at Bakersfield (1901 ) and Teha- chapi, Calif. (1903), and at Tucson and Tombstone, Ariz. (1904). The species is gradually extending its range in the South- west, but it has not yet appeared south of Tehachapi, and apparently it has not been recorded from Idaho or Nevada. In these sections, as well as in Arizona and New Mexico, a little well-directed effort will prevent it from gaining a foothold for some years. The little-known nesting habits of 'The Calaveras Warbler in Western Washington' are described by C. W. and J. H. Bowles, who call attention to the rarity of the nest, as shown by the fact that only five sets of eggs were obtained during nine years of field work. 'The Nuttall Sparrow around San Francisco' is the subject of a short article by Louis Bolander, who mentions some of the habits of this characteristic species of the Bay region. The second of McGregor's interesting 'Papers on Philip- pine Birds' is devoted to 'The Routine of a Collector's Work,' and describes some of the difficulties and peculiar conditions to be met in bird-collecting in the Philippines. In the editorial columns is a statement of some of the losses to ornithology caused by the great fire which swept over San Francisco immediately after the earthquake of April 18, 1906. These losses include the destruction of the museum and library of the California Academy of Sciences, which con- tained about 25,000 bird skins, including the finest series of Pacific coast water-birds in the world, and the best ornithological library on the west coast; and the loss of two copies of the folio edition of Audubon's Birds of America in the Mechanics Library and in the Mark Hopkins Art Institute.— T. S. P.
