Ecological Adaptations for Breeding in Birds

7 74 Reviews [Auk, Vol.86 genera, Holmes, pers.observ.).3) Arenarinae does not belong in the family Charadriidae but is probably derived from tringine stock, confirming Peters' opinio•n (1934) and disagreeing with that of the A.O.U.Check-list (1957).4) The Surfbird (Aphriza) is actually a calidridine sandpiper (this receiving further substantiation from behavioral evidence, MacLean, pers.comm.).5) The phalaropes have their closest affinities to the tringine group rather than with the Recurvirostridae and thus are given subfamily status in the Scolopacidae.These examples demonstrate some of the serious discrepancies that exist among currently accepted phylogenetic schemes and that are raised by Jehl's downy plumage comparisons.Furthermore, they illustrate very clearly the need for additional information, from morphological, biochemical, behavioral, ecological and other sources, to clarify and/or confirm more accurately the phylogenetic relationships.Such data are particularly required in those groups in which the downy patterns are not sufficiently distinct to suggest taxonomic affinities, e.g. in the families Dromadidae, Thinocoridae, and Chionididae, and even more importantly at the lower taxonomic levels, as among the genera in the Glareolidae.By way of criticism, I found the use of "color" and "color pattern" of the downy plumage rather confusing, although as one reads the paper the difference becomes clear.The exl•eriments on the adaptive nature of some downy plumage patterns on different substrates (p.8-9) were not very extensive or conclusive, and their inclusion adds little to the paper, other than to point out that this subject was considered.In a number of places in the text, references, without literature citations, are made to the habitat, behavior, or some other characteristic of a particular species or group.It is difficult to tell if all of these come from Jehl's personal experience, which may be true in some, but probably not in all, cases.For one example, he refers (p.39) to Calidris balrdii and C. fuscicollis as tending "to nest in wet marshes."While this is true for the fuscicollis, bairdii usually nests in rather dry, well-drained, and sparsely vegetated habitats, which in some cases may be long distances from a wet marsh.Even where marshes are nearby, young bairdii usually remain on the drier, more exposed regions of the tundra (Holmes, pets.observ.).One last point is that Jehl occasionally enters into speculation on topics that are not directly related to his main theme, e.g. the discussion (p.31) of the evolution of burrow nesting in the Crab Plovers; such diversions do not add significantly to the points he is trying to make and their inclusion is of dubious value.In spite of such minor criticisms, this is a stimulating and well executed study, which provides a finely documented, revised and probably more accurate phylogenetic scheme for the Charadrii than has been previously proposed.This paper will undoubtedly serve to stimulate future work on shorebirds and to focus attention on those groups that are in particular need of study.In these and other respects, Jehl's study represents a substantial and important contribution to our understanding of shorebird biology and evolution.--R•½uav,•T. HOLMZS.Ecological adaptations for breeding in birds.--DavidLack.1968.London, Methuen and Co., Ltd.Pp. xii q-409, illus.by Robert Gillmot, 9• X 6« in.Cloth.84 shillings (distributed in U.S. by Barnes and Noble, Inc., 105 Fifth