64 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



originally undertaken at the instigation of an invalid friend, desirous 

 of a closer acquaintance with our lonely environments." As the 

 production of an assistant lightkeeper the book is certainly a 

 surprising one. It is not only charmingly written, but it clearly 

 proves that the author is a careful, close, and enthusiastic observer 

 of nature. It does not pretend to tell us anything that we do not 

 know, nor is it always quite accurate, but it is full of varied and 

 interesting information relating to marine creatures, from sea- 

 anemones to whales, and on the visits of birds and their observance 

 of the times of their comings and goings. Mr. Campbell, thanks to 

 his predilections, had evidently not a dull time during his nine 

 years' residence in that lonely tower in the North Sea, for at all 

 seasons we find him engrossed in the creatures with which Dame 

 Nature supplied him as subjects worthy of his attention. He 

 wisely seized the almost unique opportunities afforded him, and he 

 presents us with the results in this little book, which is without a 

 dull page one which we read from cover to cover with pleasure, 

 and, may we say, not a little admiration for its author. We know 

 that there are others in the same service who are excellent observers 

 and writers, and we hope that they may be induced to follow Mr. 

 Campbell's example and not " hide their lights under a bushel." 



