64 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



THE CHANGELING, A NATURE STORY FOR BOYS AND GIRLS. 

 By Sir Digby Pigott, C.B., M.B.O.U. London : Witherby & Co., 

 1908. Price 2s. 6d. net. 



Sir Digby Pigott has written a very charming little nature book 

 in The Changeling. The hero of the story, Tommy, is able, through 

 the assistance of his guide Johnny Fairy, to lead the actual life of 

 his animal friends. His first excursion is taken as a Bee, when 

 escorted by his cicerone he visits a large hive and is shown all 

 the wonders of bee-lore. The workings of these wonderful insects 

 are clearly and accurately described. Tommy's flight with the 

 Rooks is one of the most interesting chapters, and the youthful 

 reader will learn from it of the practical use this bird is to the 

 farmer; whilst the drawing of the mole's nest will give a clear idea 

 of the underground fortress of " the little gentleman in black velvet." 

 A description is given of the cliff-climbers and how they gather the 

 sea-birds' eggs ; whilst the wanderings of the Storm-petrels tell of 

 the wild life of these ocean-tramps. The hero's trips, however, are 

 not confined to Great Britain, and an account is given of the flight of 

 the Wild Geese to the far North ; whilst another chapter tells of 

 Birds of Paradise, and incidentally something is learned of the 

 inhabitants of New Guinea. The charm of the book seems to lie 

 in the blending of poetical feeling with scientific accuracy. The 

 young reader will gather much knowledge of birds and insects, whilst 

 at the same time he will realise that "all the world is fairyland." 

 The illustrations are above the average : there are 39 drawings in 

 black and white, all of which are very true to life, whilst the four 

 coloured plates are also pleasing. The book will form an excellent 

 and instructive Christmas present for young people. G. G.-M. 



