Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-26

indeed, who did not see some Of the things
that even we Americans confees are tncon-
gruous and bizarre In the western social
system. But, somehow or other, no misses
the point OF much that he sees and he
takes things very seriously to heart ana
misfnterprets some surface signs as tokens
of deep tendencies. 1t is always well to
discount many of the adventures of the
N sok-intending EnElishman who comes to
4ifese shores. He cannot possibly disguise
himself and he is often the victim OF sly
practical jokes and purposeful misinforma-
ton. Traces Of this playful disposition to
beguile the -unsuspecting tourist are to be
detected. in this narrative.
But the painter-author has said much
that Is true and worthy of consideration.
While he devotes himself as usual to the
themes of plutocracy and extravaganza and
feverish hurry. he picks out here and there
a genuine American trait which Is well
worth consideration through this medium.
The illustrations, of an extremely sketchy
character, are occasionally Illustrative, at
least Of the writer's state Of mind. In the
main the book Is good-natured and express
i've of feeling of genuine pleasure derived
from the visit.
KEY TO NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS,
Containing a Concise Account of Every Species
OF Living and Fossil Bird at Present Known.
from the Continent North Of the Mexican and
United States boundary. Inclusive Of Greenland
and Lower California. By Elliott Coues, AM,
Md, Pho. Fifth Edition. Illustrated. Bos-
ton: Dana Estes & Co.
There has recently been issued. in re-
Spouse to a very general demand among
ornithologists, this fifth edition Of the
scientific masterpiece of the late DR.. Coues.
In the rature of things such work can
never be complete in every. essential detail,
for the ways Of birds are to a certain ex-
tent past finding out. DR.. Coues himself
supervised the issue of four editions of his
great work, finding with the exhaustion OF
each print something to add to his previ-
Gus writings on the vast subject In his
preface to the fourth edition, issued in
1887. he noted that the fruits of the "un-
paralleled activity" of the great numbers
Of workers then in the field were not SUI
fciently sound and ripe to warrant re-
cast of the Key" He died In December,
1899, leaving the manuscript for this fifth
edition finished, but in such shape as to
offer serious difficulties in the publication.
lacking his supervision. The services OF
Mr.. J. A Farley were secured, and he has
completed the task in a manner which the
publishers believe would have been Dr..
Coues' exact idea of a presentation of this
browning work of his life.
In this fifth edition appear the following
additions and changes: !. Enlarged de-
scriptions of SERIES 2. Accounts much
fuller than in former editions Of the breed
ing habits Of birds, particularly the de-
tailed description Of eggs. 8. The full col
latfon in the text itself of the nomen-
clature of species. 4. The full synonymies
and photographed references in the case
Of very many species. 5. The addition to
the previously extensive illustrations OF
over two hundred figures of species hither-
to seldom figured, from life studies by
Louis Agassiz Fuertes. g. The introduce
tory or general descriptions of ordinal,
family and other groups much amplified.
making the Key more than purely faunal
work. z. An appendix containing the adj
ditions to the American Ornithoiogists'
and the changes in nomenclature not noted
elsewhere which have been made since DR..
Coues' death.
The work as thus prepared comprises two
large volumes, with profuse, well-prepared
Illustrations. Mr.. Fuertes drawings, two
being in color, add richly to the edition. It
is appropriate that this great work, serving
in its latest form as a monument to the
scientist whose activities were SO varied
and SO unremitting, should contain me-
mortal to him in fitting terms. This is
supplied in the FORM of the address deliv-
cred November ID. 1900. at the eighteenth
congress of the American Ornithologists'
Union, Cambridge, Mass, by Prof. D. G.
Elliot who wrote from the viewpoint of
one who had known DR.. Coues for nearly
forty years most intimately, both as a
scientist and as a man. Thus the work
stands complete. a boon to bird lovers and
a qualification to those who were privileged
to come within the circle Of Dr. Coues'
circle, either personally and professionally.
HEART OF MY HEART. By Ellis Meredith
New York: Mcclure, Phillips & Co. Washing
tom: woodward & Lothrop.
This is the latest thing in metaphysics,
very. brave literary venture indeed, and
one likely to cause much discussion en-
trely apart from It's merits as piece of
writing, which undeniable. 1t may be
called, in short, the metaphysics of mater
nity being the condolences between a young
mother and her unborn child. 1t is difficult
to describe it further. 1t displays rare
power of emotional expression, a keen
sense of feminine supersensibility and a
certain degree of witty cleverness which
In the circumstances might seem to be a
triie out of place here and there. 1t is
filled with beautiful thoughts, and whether
regarded as psychological study OR mar
rative it is an important item in the seasons
list of books.
SHAKsPERE; Personal Recoilections. BY John
A. Joyce. New York: Broadway Publishing
Company.
The man who reads Is Individually ac-
quainted on the mental plane with the men
who have written. The closer the mental
approach. the closer the acquaintance. En-
tire sympathy bridges the years and cen
turtles and permits the union of minds
which enables the brave bookmaker to pro-
duce such volume as this latest output
of Colonel Joyce. That he knew William
Shakspere in the flesh cannot be doubted
for a moment. for here is the evidence
How else could he write ti4us intimately of
him in his walks and deeds and discourse
upon his mental processes? Whatever the
readers skepticism may be, there are with
in these covers undeniaSly great specimens
of literature the appreciation of which by
the present biographer of the bard Is sufh-
cient warrant for their reproduction.
Notes of Books and Authors. :
Lucas Malet's new novel. on which She
has been at work ever since the publication
OF "Sir Richard Calmady." is announced by
Dodd. Mead & Co. for publication this fall.
Its title will be THE Paradise of Dominic"
1t is understood that the novel will deal
with modern English society, more especial
ly the intrusion into it OF certain rich and