GLEANINGS 167 



ally valuable, for no one has hitherto possessed such a masterly 

 knowledge of the habits of these delightful little birds during their 

 residence in our midst during the most engrossing period of their 

 lives. Mr Howard not only relates what he has observed, but he dis- 

 cusses the problems presented in a sound, philosophic manner, and his 

 conclusions are worthy of the respect due to a recognised authority. 



Spiders, by C. Warburton (Cambridge Manuals of Science and 

 Literature). Cambridge University Press, 191 2. Price is. 



This is a capital little book, and one of the best volumes of this 

 useful series yet published. Written in a simple and entertaining 

 style, it provides just the kind of information desired by the amateur 

 naturalist, and will doubtless induce many of its readers to take up 

 the study of these fascinating creatures more seriously. An interest- 

 ing account of the construction of the various forms of snare is given 

 in the early chapters, followed by a useful sketch of the principal 

 families, their characteristics, and their habits. The book is beauti- 

 fully printed, and its thirteen text figures are clear and instructive. 

 A photograph of the huge " Banana Spider " forms an appropriate 

 frontispiece. 



GLEANINGS. 



The following notes from British Birds may interest our ornithological readers : — 

 The third British example of the Isabelline When. tear (Saxico/a isabellina) is 

 recorded by Mr Ford-Lindsay (vol. v., p. 328). It was secured in Rye Harbour 

 on 28th March 191 2. In the same volume are a few more records of Little Auks 

 occurring in various parts of England during January and February. In an 

 interesting paper in the June number, Dr Lowe announces the discovery of two 

 distinct races of the Lesser Black-backed Gull in Europe : "(1) A Scandinavian or 

 more eastern form, the dark-backed Larus fuscus fuscus ; and (2) a more western or 

 light-backed race, represented by L. fuscus britannicus." These races are fully 

 described, and an illustration and measurements showing wherein they differ are 

 also given. A Tengmalm's Owl, captured in Northumberland on nth December 



191 1, and its behaviour in captivity, is the subject of a paper in the same 

 magazine. This bird is the sixth of the species recorded for Northumberland. 

 There are also one or two interesting records of " Ringed Birds " given. A 

 Starling maiked in Beikshiie in January 1912 was found dead in Finland in April 



191 2, while others were recovered close to where they were ringed (vol. vi., pp. 2, 

 8, and 13). 



J. T. Marshall {Journal of Conchology, April 1912, pp. 294-306) continues his 

 useful paper entitled " Additions to ' British Conchology.' " The following 

 species are recorded from Scottish waters : Columbella haliceeti, Jeff. (Shetland) ; 

 Clathurella anceps, Eichw. (Aberdeenshire, Loch Fyne, and off Barra) ; C. anceps, 

 n. var. soluta y Marsh. (Aberdeenshire, Loch Fyne, West Orkneys) ; C. leufi 

 Mich. (Lamlash, Dornoch and Pentland Firths, and off Barra) ; C. leufi 



L I 8 R A R Y 



