GLEANINGS 283 



Wild Life in the West Highlands, by Charles Henry Alston. 

 With illustrations by A. Scott Rankine. Glasgow : James 

 Maclehose cS: Sons, 1912. Price 6s. 



The wild life of the Highlands is of especial interest to Scottish 

 Naturalists, and the writer of this volume has presented some 

 well-written sketches describing his observations — the result of long 

 residence in the area — of their furred and feathered inhabitants. 

 The chapters deal with miscellaneous subjects, such as the extermina- 

 tion of the last Wolf in Scotland ; the habits of the Badger, Grey 

 Seal, and Wild Cat. The Beaver, and Scottish tradition regarding 

 it, also receives notice, while the Stoat and such "smaller deer" 

 are likewise treated. The reader will probably find the greatest 

 interest lies in the chapters devoted to bird-life, where the author 

 has much original observation to record, and all his notes and 

 suggestions are both fresh and stimulating. " The Birds' Tree 

 Breakfast-Table " suggests an admirable line for bird watching, 

 and one particularly appropriate for the winter months. Again, 

 the chapter on the " Bird-Life of a Highland Parish " shows the 

 importance and interest of local observation. The remaining 

 chapters are somewhat miscellaneous, and it is a little surprising 

 to read of the Elephant and the Kea in a volume entitled Wild Life 

 in the West Highlands. However, some readers may be glad 

 to avail themselves of Mr Alston's knowledge of two such different 

 members among Nature's children, and all will find the illustrations 

 by Mr Scott Rankine decidedly pleasing : especial merit might 

 be accorded to "in the sanctuary," also to the Lesser Terns and 

 Peregrine Falcons. — G. E. G. M. 



gleanings. 



The latest issue of the Glasgow Naturalist (vol. iv., No. 4), dated September 

 1912, contains an article by John Craig and Matthew Barr, entitled "The Birds 

 of the Parish of Beith and Neighbourhood " (pp. 97-114). The abundance of the 

 Yellow Wagtail, the date of the first appearance of the Starling, and the occurrence 

 of the Stock-dove, are referred to. The only other major article of a zoological 

 nature is by Wm. J. M'Leod, and bears the title " Further Notes on the Aquatic 

 Coleoptera of the Monklands (Lanarkshire)." It occupies pp. 1 15-123, and gives 

 details of forty-eight species. Several notes are published on pp. 135-138, dealing 

 with the occurrence in the " Clyde " Area of interesting species of mammals, birds, 

 and insects. 



12 2 N 2 



