Review: Birds of the Kansas City Region by Harry Harris
Review: Birds of the Kansas City Region by Harry Harris
Transactions of the Academy of Science of St. Louis, vol. XXIII, no. 8, pp. 213-371, 4 text figs. (maps). Issued February 27, 1919.
In this paper we find a regional list of unusual merit. While we are not at all familiar with the ornithology of the Kansas City region, we are inclined to have the utmost confidence in the accuracy of the facts given, on the basis of the thoroughness of the workmanship shown in other respects. The arrangement is excellent; the bibliography is full, and the comments offered on the titles are illuminative; and the index is unusually complete.
The paper is much more than a list, as the annotations relating to manner of occurrence, habits, etc., of a single species often amount to half a page. The total number of species admitted is 343, though 8 of these are now extinct in the region. A notable feature is the detailed explanation of the distribution of the three subspecies of Redwinged Blackbird, two of which breed in Kansas and a third appears in migration, and through the winter as well, sometimes in company with the others.
All in all, Mr. Harris has planned and put through a, thoroughly creditable Piece of work, and one which must mark a far advance in the development of Kansas ornithology.
