The Ornithological Magazines.
The Auk.—The Auk for April, 1909, is an unusually interesting number. It contains "The Position of Birds' Feet in Flight," by Charles W. Townsend, M. D.; "Ornithological Miscellany from Audubon Wardens," by B. S. Bowdish; "Notes on the Summer Birds of Northern Georgia," by Arthur H. Howell; "The Training of Wild Birds as a Means of Studying Their Movements," by Leon J. Cole; "A List of the Birds of Western South Dakota," by Stephen S. Vischer; "Barrow's Golden-eye in Massachusetts," by William Brewster; "The Habitat Groups of North American Birds in the American Museum of Natural History," by J. A. Allen; "Something More about Black Ducks," by William Brewster, and "New Records and Important Range Extensions of Colorado Birds," by Merrit Cary. Besides these general articles there are many valuable notes of birds and bird literature.
The Condor.—The Condor for March-April, 1909, has articles on Mearns Quail, Dusky Poor-will, California Black Rail, Thrashers, of Arizona, Birds of Southern Mexico, and the usual number of notes. In an interesting article Jonathan Dwight, Jr., M. D., of New York, makes a plea for retaining the common names of birds and for stability in vernacular appellations.
The Wilson Bulletin.—The Wilson Bulletin, for March, 1909, includes an index to the preceding volume. There are articles and notes on the birds of the Washington coast, American Barn Owl, Yellow-breasted Chat, Wood Thrush, Robin, Song Sparrow, Warblers of Wayne County, Michigan, and others. There is a long article on Alexander Wilson by Frank L. Burns.
Cassinia.—Cassinia, issued in March, 1908, contains the proceedings of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club of Philadelphia. There are articles of permanent value on the birds of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It is an interesting and valuable publication, well printed and adequately illustrated.
The Purple Martin and Houses for its Summer Home.—This pamphlet is Gleanings No. 5, by J. Warren Jacobs, of Waynesburg, Pa. It is an article reprinted from the publications of the Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture. It contains all the information that anyone could desire about Martin houses, and how to obtain them or build them. There are also full suggestions for attracting the birds to the houses after they are erected. For sale by the author.