1902 The Field Naturalist' s Library 321 



The common names used in this book for the animals described are 

 those given to them by the MiHcete Indians, as the author explains. 

 The occasional legends referred to in the text are not to be found in any 

 writings, but are from Indian lore, heard by the author at the camp fire. 

 The incidents and sketches are obviously true to life, and betoken an 

 admirable power of keen and accurate observation on the part of the 

 writer. Amongst the birds whose everyday life is here portrayed so 

 delightfully are the Partridge, Eagle, Wild Duck, Oriole, Kingfisher, 

 Woodpecker, Sheldrake, Big Brown Owl, and others. Mr Long's 

 method of making his readers familiar with the daily round of these 

 creatures must be read to be appreciated, and we are sure that those 

 who do study the book will be astonished at the wealth of detail wrapped 

 up in such simple language. If this is not scientific teaching we do not 

 understand the term. It may not be technical, but technicality is not 

 science. 



Beasts of the Field. By W. Long. London : Ginn & Co. Price 

 7s. 6d. 

 This book is on precisely the same lines as that last noticed, dealing 

 with mammals instead of birds. There are ten full-page illustrations 

 by Charles Copeland (the previous work has nine), but these appeal to 

 us less than the numerous small sketches interspersed in the text on 

 every page, often two or three on a page. These latter are very clever, 

 and illustrate particular attitudes, habits, footsteps, homes, shadows, 

 methods of feeding, &c. ; all clever in conception and well executed. 

 The illustrations in the chapter on " Fox- Ways " are a lesson in them- 

 selves, and the same applies to other series. The observations on the 

 habits of the animals dealt with could only be the result of an abnormally 

 vivid and prophetic imagination, or an equally unusual power of accurate 

 observation. They are obviously due to the latter quality. In our 

 opinion there can be only two results of the wonderful series of Nature 

 Study books that Messrs Ginn are introducing to the British public. 

 One is, that they will supply this country with all the books of this type 

 about our indigenous afiimals as well as American ; the other — and 

 perhaps the more likely — is, that British authors and publishers will 

 very soon, if they have not already done so, begin to write and issue 

 similar works on strictly British subjects. In the meantime our 

 American friends have got a long start of us in this matter, and it will 

 take some time to overtake them. In this particular book Mr Long 

 details his observations on the Squirrel, Caribou Deer, Rabbit, Otter, 

 Bear, Weasel, Moose, Beaver, Lynx, Fox, and Wood-Mouse, at least 

 half of which are as British as American. Field naturalists who would 

 have a glimpse, and more than a glimpse, into the minds of these 

 creatures should read this book. 



Diversions of a Country Gentleman. By Sir George Douglas, 

 . Bart. London : Hodder & Stoughton. Price 6s. net. 

 Those who read in the 'Scotsman,' 'Glasgow Herald,' 'Outlook,' 



f Field,' and ' Kensington ' the delightful articles which are here 



