i9 OT - Reviews. 127 



standard work would have averted. Thirdly, there is always — or 

 generally— the bare possibility that the unlikely record may, after all, be 

 true ; for which reason it is better that every ornithologist should be 

 given the opportunity of forming an opinion for himself. 



Mr. Harting, however, has not followed this commendable course 

 consistently, for he has ignored the Cape Pigeon and Ruppell's Tern, 

 which are believed to have found their way by objectionable means into 

 the Irish list ; while the Sheathbill (Chionis alba) shot at Carlingford 

 Lough in December, 1892, is omitted from Part II. of the Handbook, but 

 curtly referred in the preface (p. xxiii.) to " an independent category of 

 ocean waifs and strays." This is hardly a sound reason for excluding it 

 from a list to which escaped cage-birds like the Golden-winged Wood- 

 pecker find admittance. 



To the notice of the Pectoral Sandpiper shot near Portumna in October, 

 1888 (p. 429) are appended the words " Not noted by Ussher." This is 

 simply an unaccountable oversight, as the record in question — the only 

 Irish occurrence of Tringa maculata — appears in its proper place in Mr. 

 Ussher's book (p. 282). The date, however, is there stated (probably by 

 misprint) to have been October, 1886. 



It is with extreme regret that we have felt it necessary to point out 

 how numerous are Mr. Harting's oversights and mistakes with reference 

 to Ireland ; but nothing can prevent this edition of his " Handbook " from 

 taking a high place among ornithological works, and it is of the utmost 

 importance that those who go to it for information shall not be misled. 



C. B. M. 



BEE-KEEPING. 



The Irish Bee Journal (The Organ of the Irish Bee-keeping 

 Association), a monthly journal. Edited by Rev. J. G. DiGG£)S, M.A. 

 Vol. 1. No. 1. May, 1901. Pp. 12. Price, id. 



We cannot but give a hearty welcome to this newest of Irish '' monthly 

 journals" devoted to so important a department of applied zoology as 

 bee-keeping. It is satisfactory to know that the increase of the honey 

 industry in the country is believed to warrant the establishment of this 

 periodical which will have, there can be little doubt, a long and useful 

 career. The twelve pages of this first number are filled with valuable 

 information on such subjects as " Purchasing and Packing Stocks," and 

 11 Foul Brood," and news of appliances exhibited at recent shows, and 

 reports of Associations. The scope for bee-keeping in the country 

 is well brought out by a short paragraph which tells us that over 

 ^4,500 worth of honey was imported into the United Kingdom during 

 last March. 



