I902 The Field Naturalisfs Library 71 



We notice that the original published price has already been ad- 

 vanced, so that intending purchasers should at once possess themselves 

 of the book. 



We heartily commend Mr Connold's book to our readers, and the 

 more so as its author is a true field naturalist. His book should be an 

 encouragement to all outdoor workers, as showing what valuable work 

 can be done by one who determines to follow up a subject in all its 

 aspects. 



Travels round our Village. E. G. Hayden. Illustrated by L. 

 Leslie Brooke. Pp. 321. A. Constable & Co. Price 7s. 6d. 



Miss Hayden's description of the men, women, and things in the 

 quiet Berkshire village she evidently loves so well will delight all lovers 

 of country life. The only faults we have to find with this book are the 

 introduction of too many long recipes for the making of elder wine, 

 mountain-ash jelly, and other rural dishes ; and the quotation of the 

 very old story of the rustic who preferred to die a natural death to 

 having a doctor, as proof of the "ignorance and simplicity prevalent 

 among the shepherds of the Downs." But the pictures of the people 

 themselves are most refreshing, and often very touching. The story of 

 Emmanuel Welsh and his coquettish village sweetheart ; the description 

 of Mrs Snell and the old grandfather who returned his age on the 

 census paper at 206 years ; the election of the first parish council, — 

 these and many other scenes of village life are admirably portrayed. 

 Field naturalists will find many paragraphs touching on the plants and 

 animals found in or near the parson's meadow. " On one side is a 

 disused drain, the home some years ago, before he removed higher up 

 the stream., of a badger that wrought sad havoc with the tennis-lawn, 

 turning it up from end to end that he might reach the tender shoots of 

 fine grass which suited his fastidious palate better than the coarser 

 product of the meadow. Next in succession as the tenants of the drain 

 came a pair of stoats, who lived there in great content and reared a 

 creditable family : they were followed by rabbits, and these last are so 

 well pleased with their residence that they refuse to vacate it. Other 

 wild creatures are also to be found — weasels and harmless green snakes, 

 which on account of their family resemblance to the adder are too often 

 done to death by the children. Adders, indeed, are rare, though on one 

 occasion the kitten was found playing in cautious fashion with some- 

 thing that was not a ring snake." What was it, we wonder, — a slow- 

 worm, or one of the rare smooth snakes that, according to Mr J. L. 

 Bevir, were not uncommon in Berkshire some twenty years ago ? Miss 

 Hayden gives no hint of the identity of the reptile. This chapter 

 (XII.) from which the above quotation is taken is one of the most 

 charming in the book ; but every page almost has its own charm, and 

 we cordially recommend all lovers of the real country — not suburbs — to 

 read Miss Hayden's book. 



The drawings of the villagers and rural scenes by Leslie Brooke 

 are excellent, and the " get up " of the book leaves nothing to be 

 desired. 



