192 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



is prefixed to those appellations which do not apply to all three 

 kingdoms. 



The work is, strictly speaking, a guide to students and others who 

 wish to obtain a correct knowledge of the range of our British birds. 

 We have no fault to find with the text, every page of which shows 

 evidence of much careful thought and preparation. On the other 

 hand, we take exception to the way in which the volume has been 

 sent out : firstly, as regards the flimsy paper cover, which, in a work 

 of reference and likely to be much used, necessitates sending it over 

 to the binder ; secondly, in regard to the list of British birds having 

 been printed on one side of the paper only, so that, as the author 

 says, it can be cut up and used as labels for collections of stuffed 

 birds and eggs. Naturally this increases the bulk, and doubtless the 

 price of issue. We think the instances in which it would be cut up 

 for labels will be most exceptional ; and, with all due regard for the 

 author's intentions, his book is too good for mutilation by scissors 

 and paste. 



STIRLING NATURAL HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY'S 

 TRANSACTIONS, 1892-93. 



The Stirling Society is to be heartily congratulated on the results 

 of its scientific work during the past year, which, when recorded, 

 forms a volume of no less than 136 pages. It is not upon the 

 voluminosity of its publications alone that we express our great 

 satisfaction, but, and what is far more important, upon their great 

 merit and usefulness. The papers are very properly local in their 

 bearing, and not only of value and interest as such, but are welcome 

 contributions to British natural history. The Society is evidently 

 most efficiently officered, and we look forward with confidence and 

 pleasurable anticipation to the advent of further contributions to 

 the natural history of Stirling and district which we know to be 

 in preparation. 



NATURAL HISTORY OF ARBROATH AND DISTRICT. By Thomas 

 F. Dewar, M.D., B.Sc. (Arbroath : Brodie and Salmond.) 



Another contribution to Scottish local natural history is Dr. 

 Dewar's little book with the above title. This work consists of 

 a series of extremely well-written chapters dealing with a variety of 

 subjects, Zoological, Botanical, Geological, treated of in a style that 

 is attractive and popular. Dr. Dewar proves himself to be an able 

 naturalist, and an accurate observer who has devoted his attention to 

 subjects varying from the mammals of the district to the life between its 

 tides ; from wild flowers to the " birth of Forfarshire." In addition to 

 affording much useful information, especially to the zoologist, the 

 book is well calculated to foster interest in the fauna and flora of 

 the area upon which it treats, and this was Dr. Dewar's laudable 

 object in penning its pages. We congratulate him on the success 

 he has achieved. 



