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Jan., 19oo THE CONDOR the relationship of animals," than speci- alists; and the more exclusive in their technical terms do the specialists be- come, the less can the average person understand of their work and writings. I see no reason why it is not proper to give both the scientific and common names in faunal lists. If a person is more familiar with the vernacular names, he is better and sooner able to understand what species are recorded, than if only the scientific names are given. Mr. McGregor is the first person I ever heard of who is bothered by the vernacular names. I think it is the rule that "the average person" learns the common names of birds first, and then gradually acquires the scientific names. If we should adopt the exclusive use of scientific names in our lists and semi- popular ornithological journals, a large class of readers would be greatly ineon- enieneed, and I see nothing to be gained. Uniformity and pernmnenee are just as possible with common as with scientific names, and, in the study of ornithology, we need both. JosEPH GRINNELL. _?asadena, Cal. Book Ivicws. NEWTON'S DICTIONARY OF BIRDS. By Prof. Alfred Newton; pp. m88; profusely illustrated; ? ?nap. New York, Macmillan Co. $5- This superb work on ornithology which was originally published in four parts. the last of which was completed in I896, is now offered the public in one unabridged volrune, at a moderate price, and every working ornitholo- gist must hail the advent of such an edition with pleasure. To Club members who have not seen this admirable work it is well to state that it is everything and more than its name implies,--an encyclopzedia of ornithological terms and facts, both common and technical, ?nd a work which the novice or scientist may ?like peruse with interest and to advantage. Any ornithologist will find within its pages much to interest and instruct in spare mo- ?nents, for it is most readable aside from its value as a reference work, and for the latter use, it leaves nothing to be desired. Thus, as a "dictionary" of ornithological topics, the present volume easily takes front rank in the available ornithological literature of to-day. The volume is a reprint of the four previously issued parts, all of which is preced- ed by a most valuable introduction (pp. ?-?2o), which constitutes an interesting history of or- nithology from the first published writings of Aristotle (385-322 B.C.) to the presen,t day. To the ornithologist who studies his science for the simple love of it, how interesting it is to follow its progress from the time of its incep- tion as a science, down through the ages! To those who are so interested we recommend the "Dictionary." The work is compiled with the topics alphabetically arranged. which is doubt- less the most acceptable form for working or- nithologists who appreciate a ready reference work. In the "Dictionary" are treated bird species and kindredsubjects, such as geograph- ical distribution, migration, moult, muscular system, nidification, vascular system, etc., ad infinitum. The various portions of bird anat- omy are also treated in their respective places and seemingly every subject which might pre- sent itself to the naturalist is perfectly han- dled, leaving nothing to be desired. In the preface the author states "It has been my ob- ject throughout to compress into the smallest compass the information intended to be con- veyed," and to the fact that this has been ob- served, is largely due the excellence of the en- tire work.--C. B. ?r?4? A. O. U. The Seventeenth Congress of the A. O. U. held at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Nov. t346, was notable for sev- eral reasons. It was the first time in the his- tory of the Union that a meeting has been held elsewhere than in New York, Washing- ton or Cambridge, while the total attendance of members, as well as the number of papers presented, was greater than ever before. The most noteworthy features of the pro- gramme were the numerous papers dealing with the question of moult and feather struc- ture, and the wonderful exeelleuee of modern bird photography as shown by lantern slides. Dr. Roberts' series of pictures of Franklin's Gull on its nesting grounds has probably never been surpassed. Every phase of the life of the bird was shown, and the parent was ac- tually photographed while dropping an es- caped young bird back into the nest! Besides the regular programme, the mem- bers attended the meeting of the Academy on Tuesday evening and Mr. F. M. Chapman made a communication on the "Bird Rocks of the Gulf of St. Lawrence." On Friday a nnm- bet of members visited "Mill Grove," the former home of Audubon, where they were entertained by Mr. Wetherill, the present owner. The Annual Meetings of both di- visions of the Cooper Club, held re- spectively in Pasadena and Santa Clara, were by far the most successful and en- thusiastic sessions held by either di- vision in recent years. This shows which way the wind is blowing in Cali- fornia, and this amalgamation of kin- dred spirits is a most happy thing to contemplate.