56 The Irish Naturalist. May, 1924. 



British Birds. 



A Check-List of British Birds, with a short account of the status of- each, 

 compiled from " A Practical Hand-book of British Birds." By 

 H. F. WiTHERBY, M.B.E., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. London : H. F. and 

 G. Witherby, 1924. Price, 3s. 6d. net. 



Under the above title Mr. Witherby reprints the " Systematic List " 

 which forms the principal appendix at the end of his " Practical 

 Handbook " ; and by leaving the right-hand pages blank for observers' 

 notes he adds considerably to the usefulness of what would in any case 

 have been a welcome publication. The list is brought up to date to 

 the end of 1923. The birds dealt with, including, of course, man}^ sub- 

 specific forms, number 493, of which some 307 can claim a place in the 

 Irish fauna. Among these last it may be remarked that Mr. Witherby 

 includes the Cirl Bunting, accepting as satisfactory an observation that 

 did not fully convince Mr. Ussher (see his List of Irish Birds, 1908) of 

 its right to inclusion. The note on the status of the Kite as regards 

 this country is rendered unintelligible by a printer's slip, which, 

 fortunately, did not occur in the original list at the end of the Handbook. 

 On consulting that list we find that the error consists in a misplacing 

 of the word " Ireland," which should be transferred from the beginning 

 to the end of the line. On the whole, however, the list is admirably 

 brought out, and likely to prove a real boon to the ornithological public. 



C. B. M. 



Vivaria and Aquaria.* 



To all naturalists, whether children, teachers or others, who desire 

 to keep their captures alive for stud}' at home, Mr. Hodge's little book 

 will prove of great value as a guide. The author is undoubtedly an 

 enthusiast and we like his introduction, in which he characterizes as 

 a hopeful sign " the interest displayed by the rising generation in wild- 

 life generally." Even though as he says " many a ' Tiddler ' may meet 

 an untimely end from suffocation in an ill-aerated bottle of water, the 

 intentions on the part of the captor were no doubt good and not in the 

 same category as the ' sportsman ' who catches to kill." The reviewer 

 cannot help feeling regret that we, in Dublin, have no one such as Mr. 

 Hodge to assist in directing the energies of the Stickleback hunters along 

 the Grand Canal, whose youthful energy might, if so directed, become 

 a national asset. The book is well printed and illustrated, and even 

 those who do not see their way to join the active section of the 

 Aquarium Society will derive interest and knowledge from its perusal. 



A. W. S. 



- * " Vivarium and Aquarium Keeping for Amateurs." A practical 

 guide to the hobby by A. E. Hodge, F.Z.S. H. F. and G Witherby, 

 London. Price 5s. 



