62 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



district of Langensalz in Thuringia) comprises about 500 acres, of 

 which 19 acres are park, 60 acres are thicket, and 400 acres are 

 wood. Over 50 different species of birds are enumerated as nesting 

 in the " Home Park " and " Shelter Woods," whilst the lake is in- 

 habited by various species of water-birds. The Baron's system 

 of protection is based on three fundamental ideas : first, creating 

 opportunities for breeding; second, ivinter-f ceding ; and third, fight- 

 ing the enemies of birds. He is of the opinion that success can 

 only be attained if these measures are carried out in close connection 

 with each other. The first chapter deals with the subject of the pro- 

 vision of nesting-places, and distinguishes between those birds which 

 build in regular holes and those which prefer irregular cavities and 

 niches. With this end in view he has had nesting-boxes built to his 

 own design (which is a close imitation of Nature), and these are 

 described in detail, so that the reader may have them constructed 

 in his own workshop. The position in which these boxes should be 

 placed is of much importance, and careful instructions are afforded on 

 this point. It is interesting to notice that out of the 9300 boxes 

 erected by the Government in the State and Communal woods of 

 the Grand Duchy of Hesse, 70 to 80 per cent were used in the first 

 year, whilst in 1907 every box was inhabited. These facts speak 

 for themselves. The second chapter deals with the extensive 

 plantations which have been laid out at Seebach, and a list is 

 given of the various shrubs and bushes, and the question of 

 cutting and pruning is carefully gone into, and should be read 

 by all who are anxious to encourage the breeding of birds in 

 their grounds. The subject of the feeding of birds in winter is 

 thoroughly gone into, and the idea of the food tree, the food house, 

 and the food bell will probably be new to most readers. We 

 notice that mention is not made of supplying water, and this is an 

 important fact, especially in winter. Not the least interesting 

 portion of the book is that which treats of the economic value of 

 birds. An instance is cited of a certain wood adjoining the Seebach 

 estate having been stripped bare one spring by the larva? of a 

 little moth (Tortrix viridana], whilst Baron Von Bulepsch's woods 

 (in which 2000 nesting-boxes had been erected) were left quite un- 

 touched. As regards the question of the suppression of the birds' 

 enemies, the author gives some interesting facts. Baron Von 

 Berlepsch strenuously teaches that it is unwise to allow certain 

 birds and animals to develop at the expense of others, and that 

 man must step in to regulate matters. G. G.-M. 



CONDITIONS OF LIFE IN THE SEA. By James Johnstone. 

 pp. xiv + 332. Cambridge University Press, 1908. Price 95. 

 net. 



Every one interested in the progress of our knowledge of the sea 

 and its inhabitants, especially he who is curious as to the economic 



