Table Of Content

— Wilson Bull, 114(4), 2002, pp. 530-533 Ornithological Literature Edited by Sara R. Morris THE PURPLE MARTIN. By Robin ganizations that are wholly or in part devoted Doughty and Rob Fergus. Univ. of Texas to Purple Martin conservation, while the sec- Press, Austin. 2002: 128 pp., 16 color and 4 ond discusses the constantly evolving tactics black-and-white figures in—cluding 4 maps, 6 that “landlords” are using to promote the spe- tables. $19.95 (hardcover). The Purple Mar- cies. The latter is ofgreatest use to those who tin {Progne subis) has the distinction ofbeing wish to attract their own colonies of these both the largest swallow in the world and the birds. The book ends with a list of additional only bird that has become almost completely references, thus making it a generally useful dependent upon human-built nesting struc- publication for anyone interested in Purple tures over a large portion of its range. This Martins, with an emphasis on those among us easy-to-read book is a popular account ofmar- with a vested interest in maintaining popula- tin biology, with a heavy emphasis on the art tions of North America’s largest swallow. and lore of human interaction with the spe- PAMELA D. HUNT. cies. After a short introduction, the authors provide two brief chapters on taxonomy and range. The former gives an overview of all seven martin species of the Western Hemi- HYBRID DUCKS: THE 5TH CONTRI- sphere, with comments on species relation- BUTION TOWARDS AN INVENTORY. By ships. The chapter on migration and range Eric and Barry Gilham. Privately publishedby covers breeding sites and migration routes and B. L. Gilham, 90 Church Rd., West Row, timing for each of the currently recognized Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 8PF, United subspecies, although more detailed data on the Kingdom. 2002: 64 pp., 95 full color photo- winter grounds is held back until a later chap- graphs. £17.00 + £2—.50 postage and handling ter. to North America. The authors have pro- There follow two longer chapters ofa more duced their second compendium ofhybrid wa- “popular” nature: one on the history of the terfowl, supplementing their Hybrid ducks human-martin relationship and the other on publication of 1996 and the Bulletin updates some generalities of bird conservation as they published in 1998, 1999, and 2000. To date, apply to the species. The latter includes such their checklist consists of 220 hybrid combi- varied subjects as the economic value of mar- nations believed to be first generation crosses. tins and martin-inspired literature. The next Five hybrids are described for the first time, and largest chapter is probably the most valu- while new facts are included for some of the able resource in the book. It consists of an other 215 hybrid combinations that were de- overview of martin biology, from nest-build- scribed previously. All of the color photo- ing and caring of young, through fall migra- graphs are new and they depict 80 different tion and wintering ecology, to the return of hybrids, including some examples of eclipse scouts the following spring. It includes de- plumages and backcrosses. tailed tables ofnesting development, predators The accounts for most hybrid combinations and parasites, prey items, migration recover- tend to be very brief summaries of published ies, and vocalizations. Also presented are dis- and unpublished records, museum specimens, cussions of foraging behavior and physiology, published and unpublished illustrations, simi- making this chapter essentially a miniature lar forms, and references. Detailed descrip- version of a species account from The birds tions for most of these hybrids are found in ofNorth America series. the earlier publications or the cited literature. The final two chapters return to the subject More comprehensive descriptions are provid- of martins in the realm of humanity. The first ed for the newly described combinations and is devoted to an overview of the several or- for those hybrids with significant new sources 530