The subject of Ornithology has been treated in not a few books, but the latest edition by Mr. Montague Chamberlain is easily placed among the best of them. Mr., Chamberlain bases his book on "Nuttall's Manual of Ornithology of the United States of America." This book itself was published in 1832, and being the first handbook of the subject ever published it came into instant favor. But there is evidently much original work in Mr. Chamberlain's book, which is very comprehensive and includes every known bird of today in this part of the country. No bird that can be found east of the Mississippi River, from the Gulf stream to the Arctic Ocean is omitted from the list - even the penguin and frigate, or man-of-war bird, - which have nearly vanished from this country, - are mentioned. Mr. Chamberlain shows great sympathy with his subject, and has treated it, while to a certain extent scientifically, yet in so direct and simple a manner that the most inexperienced in ornithology can appreciate it.

The edition is in two volumes, the first dealing with land birds, the second with game and water birds. At the beginning of each chapter is an excellent print of the bird described, followed by a brief description of the plumage, the nest and eggs. The biographies are full and interesting, giving the distribution of the birds, place of habitation, food, time of migration, etc., besides many anecdotes of an entertaining and instructive character. The original footnotes and remarks on the appearance or distribution of the birds, as observed today, are very valuable to the student.

On the whole Mr., Chamberlain's work appeals to every one interested in birds. It contains for the student valuable matter newly discovered and hitherto unpublished, and to the unskilled reader it presents a full account of our birds and their characteristics, phrased in well-known and untechnical terms.

["A Popular Handbook of the Ornithology of the United States and Canada; based on Nuttall's Manual," by Montague Chamberlain: Little, Brown & Co., 1891. Price $8.00.]