9 6 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



BOOK NOTICES. 



Color Standards and Color Nomenclature. By Robert 

 Ridgway, M.S., C.M.Z.S., Curator of the Division Birds, United 

 States National Museum. With 53 colored plates and 11 15 

 named colors. Washington, 1912. London : Wesley & Son. 

 Price, 1, 10s. 



The colours of animals and plants play an important part in their 

 scientific description, yet, strange to say, in spite of their wide range 

 and great variety of tints, there has never been an accepted standard 

 of colour nomenclature. All systematic naturalists sooner or later 

 realise how very difficult it is to express in words the precise colours 

 of the great majority of specimens under diagnosis. But this is not 

 all, for though the author may be satisfied on the nomenclature 

 question, it is more than doubtful if his word-painting conveys to 

 others the exact impression he means it to convey ; in most cases, 

 probably, it does not. Mr Ridgway's book removes this difficulty most 

 effectually. Owing to the recognition of racial forms, with the subtle 

 differences in shades of colour on which they are so largely based, 

 such a work, at all times a desideratum, has become absolutely indis- 

 pensable. In this book we have depicted no less than 1115 named 

 tints, and it would, indeed, be difficult with it in one's hands not to 

 find any shade, however subtle, that one might be in search of. The 

 treatment of the subject is on scientific lines, which are fully explained 

 and easily mastered. It is the result of twenty years' study by one 

 who is eminently fitted for its authorship by reason of intimate practical 

 knowledge of what is required. 



The British Warblers ; a History with Problems of their 

 Lives. By H. Eliot Howard, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Illustrated by 

 Henrik Gronvold. London : R. H. Porter. Part 8. Price, 

 i> is. net. 



In this part of Mr Eliot Howard's monograph we have a detailed 

 account of the life and habits of the Garden Warbler, the Wood 

 Warbler, the Barred Warbler, and the Subalpine Warbler. The life- 

 histories of the birds mentioned are treated with fullest detail, and 

 the author's observations are as usual full of interest and suggestion. 

 We have already complimented Mr Howard on his work, so thorough 

 and original, and the part under consideration is equal to former his- 

 tories. Mr Gronvold's illustrations include coloured plates of the 

 Dartford, Barred, and Wood Warblers. They are particularly charm- 

 ing and very life-like. Besides these coloured plates there are five 

 photogravures showing the various attitudes which are assumed during 

 the courting season. These plates are clever and original drawings 

 by the author, and greatly contribute to the value of a book that is 

 indispensable to all who desire to study the ways and habits of the 

 British Warblers. A word of praise is due to the publisher for the 

 general excellence displayed. G. E. G. M. 



