286 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



It is also a bird remarkable among other things for the manner in 

 which it captures its prey, and for some singular anatomical peculiarities 

 associated therewith. There are only fourteen nesting stations or 

 "gannetries," all of which are confined to North Atlantic islets. No 

 less than eight are in British seas, and of these seven are Scotch, 

 namely, the Bass Rock, Ailsa Craig, St Kilda (3), Sulisgeir, and Sule- 

 stack. All are wild and romantic spots, which are rendered surpassing 

 interesting to visitors by the presence of the " Solan Goose." At 

 St Kilda alone these birds are estimated to number from 30,000 to 

 40,000, and Professor Newton has said that he was prepared to 

 believe that there were more Gannets there than in all the rest of 

 the world. Having thus briefly alluded to the Gannet's outstanding 

 position among birds, let us turn to Mr Gurney's book. This, it is 

 not too much to aver, is fully entitled to rank among the best books 

 of its kind. Little or nothing appears to have escaped the author 

 relating to the history of the bird, nor of its life-history, its distribution 

 (including particular accounts of all its haunts at home and abroad), 

 its anatomical peculiarities, its prehistoric remains, its parasites, and 

 its congeners of several species that dwell in other seas ; all are treated 

 of in a thoroughly comprehensive and masterly manner, thanks to 

 Mr Gurney's long and patient researches. The result is a handsome 

 volume which is a valuable and welcome addition to zoological litera- 

 ture ; and one that will be greatly appreciated by all who are 

 interested in British bird-life, which is here represented by one of the 

 most remarkable species of our own or any other country. 



The British Parasitic Copepoda. By Thomas Scott, LL.D., F.L.S., 

 and Andrew Scott, A.L.S. Vol. I. Text, Vol. II. Plates. Ray 

 Society, 1913. Price 40s. 



Some twenty-five years ago the Ray Society published, in three 

 volumes, that standard Monograph of the Free and Semiparasitic Cope- 

 poda of the British Islands, by G. S. Brady. The truly parasitic forms, 

 the Fish-lice, were expressly excluded from that work, and to enu- 

 merate, describe, and figure these curious and highly interesting 

 Crustaceans is the purpose of the present monograph. The authors' 

 first-hand knowledge of the subject, and their reputation for sound 

 work prepared one for a thoroughly good book, which its perusal serves 

 but to confirm. Opening with a concise general account of the group, 

 the bulk of Vol. I. is occupied by the systematic portion, in which 

 one hundred and thirteen species several of them new to science 

 are described. Under Habitat are given the host, position of parasite 

 thereon, and localities from which specimens have been obtained. 

 An ample bibliography is added. Excellent coloured figures of the 

 various species, and numerous structural details are given in the 

 seventy-two plates which make up Vol. II. An index to the hosts 

 might, with advantage we think, have been provided ; but that is a 

 small matter, and the book will undoubtedly take rank among the 

 best of its kind. 



