The Canadian Field-Naturalist 

 BOOK NOTICES AND REVIEWS 



[Vol. XXXIII 



The GameT^BtrdS''^ California. Contrlbu- gulaled gun clubs, occurring as it has, at a critical 

 tions from the University of California, Museum of stage in the adjustment of natural to artificial con- 

 Vertebrate Zoology. By Jos. Grinnell, Harold ditions, is to be looked upon as a propitious rather 

 Child Bryant and Tracy Irwin Storer. Univ. of than an adverse factor in the conservation of our 

 Cal. Press, Berkeley, 1918, large 8 vo. pp. i-x plus duck supply. Whether or not, as further changes 

 1-642, 16 colored plates and 94 text figures. Price, result from the increased human population, this 

 cloth, $6.00 net. valuation of the preserve will persist, remains to be 



This is one of the most notable bird books and seen" 

 one of the handsomest examples of popular book- The History of the Attempts to Introduce Non- 



making that has been published under the auspices native Game Birds in California, is an illuminating 

 of a public institution in some time. It is a credit chapter, and deserves study by all who contemplate 

 to the University and Museum in whose name it such introductions elsewhere. 



appears, as well as to the printer who executed it f he Propagation of Game Birds is an equally 



and the artists and authors who illustrated and important chapter and includes a valuable biblio- 

 wrote it. It contains a greater mass of game bird graphy on the subject. 



life histories both original and compiled probably 'Yhe last chapter of the introductory part gives 



than any other work generally accessible. The the history and present status of legislation relating to 

 colored illustrations consist of some of the best work game birds in California. 



from the brushes of Louis Agassiz Fuertes and our The Key to the Game Birds of California seems 



talented countryman. Major Allan Brooks. I he a^i admirable instrument. It is clear and concise 

 many line drawings scattered throughout the text and notable for the absence of obscure or technical 

 to illustrate critical points are exceptionally accur- terms and is such that any one of ordinary intel- 

 ate, clean and clear. The introduction states that ligence should be able to get results with it. 

 the work was undertaken to meet the varied re- The main part of the book is, of course, oc- 



quirements of the sportsman, the legislator and the cupied with the detailed treatment of the various 

 naturalist and was made possible through the fin- species in their systematic order. The descriptions 

 ancial munificence of a patron who refuses to make of plumages are unusually complete and clear, para- 

 his (or her) name known. California is to be con- graphs on Marks for Field Identification, Voice, 

 gratulated on having such public-spirited citizens. Nest, Eggs, General Distribution and Distribution 

 In an opening chapter dealing with the Decrease in California of each one are given, and all are 

 of Game and Its Causes it is definitely proved that admirably arranged, paragraphed and picked out 

 game has decreased and an analysis is made of the by distinctive type for ready reference, 

 contributing factors. Tables of game that have The discussions of the species include much or- 



iginal material, but also the most complete series 

 of excerpts from other authors dealing with the 

 life histories and other pertinent matter of the var- 

 ious species that can anywhere be found under <:ne 

 cover. 



The method of such a tripartite authorship where- 

 in each does that for which he is specially fitted is 

 the ideal one in dealing with a broad subject where- 



passed through the hands of dealers have been ob- 

 tained directly from their own books and are pre- 

 sented in evidence. These numbers are ample evi- 

 dence of the drain on wild life that market hunt- 

 ing entails. Other agencies of decrease are logic- 

 ally and calmly discussed giving due weight to 

 their effects pro and con with convincing restraint. 

 The next chapter, on the Natural Enemies of 

 Game Birds, discusses the effects of vermin and in no one man can be an equal authority in al 



other enemies and incidentally corrects a number 

 of common preconceptions of their relative values. 



The Gun Club of California is a chapter all 

 conservationists should read. Arguments are given 

 on both sides to show that the subject is not a 

 simple one to be answered offhand. Parallel col- 

 umns giving detrimental and favorable effects are 

 contrasted and the result summed up in the final 

 paragraph, saying: 



"It would appear that the institution of well re- 



directions and the course is here amply justified 

 by the results 



This book should appeal especially to bird stu- 

 dents, sportsmen and conservationists of western 

 Canada as whilst it deals most particularly with 

 California, the bulk of it is equally applicable to 

 British Columbia and it forms the work that most 

 nearly fulfills far western needs that has so far been 

 published. 



P. A. Tavekner. 



ERRATA 

 Page 51, Vol. XXXIII, Sept., 1919, delete word "late" in bottom line of right column. 

 Page 57, Vol. XXXIII, Sept., 1919, I 1 th line, left column, for "crescentic spot of purple," 

 read "crescentic spot on purple." 



