176 



IRcviews ano Notices of IRevv Boohs. 



Birds of the Plains. By Douglas Dewar, F.Z.S., I.C.S., with sixteen 

 illustrations from photographs of Living Birds by Capt. F. D. S. 

 Fayrek, I. M.S. Published by John Lank, The Bodley Head, 

 Vigo Street, London. io'6 net. 



This work from the pen of our esteemed member is one of 

 the most interesting and instructive treatises on Indian Birds 

 that has been published for some time. It is largely anecdotal, 

 yet original, and from cover to cover there is not a single page 

 that is not full of interest, and that does not speak of an intimate 

 acquaintance with the subjects of his pen in their native wilds. 

 Many debateable ornithological problems are touched upon and 

 the author's reasons for his views lucidly given, mostly based on 

 personal field notes and observations. 



The following glossary of the 42 chapters will indicate the 

 scope and interest of Mr. Dewar's instructive production. 



1 Birds common to the Plains of India 

 and the British Isles. 



2 The Bird in Blue. 



3 Sparrows in the Nursery. 



4 The Care of young; Birds after they leave 



the nest. 



5 The Adjutant Bird. 

 c The Slums 



7 The Stability of Species. 



8 The Amadavat 



9 The Nutmeg Bird. 



10 The Did -he- do-it. 



11 Cobbler or Tailor? 



12 A Crow in Colours. 



13 Up-to-date Species Making. 



14 Honeysuckers. 



15 A Hewer of Wood. 



iu A Feathered Sprinter 



17 A Bird of Character. 



18 Swifts. 



19 Birds as Automata. 



20 Plaviug Cuckoo. 



21 The Koel. 



22 The Common Doves of India. 



23 Doves in a Verandah. 



24 The Golden Oriole. 

 23 The Barn Owl. 



26 A Tree Top Tragedy. 



27 Two I.ittle Birds. 



28 The Paradise Flycatcher. 



29 Butcher Birds. 



30 Ducks. 



31 A Dethroned Monarch. 



32 Birds ill the Rain. 



33 The Weaver Bird. 



34 Green Parrots. 



35 The Roosting of the Sparrows. 



36 A Gay Deceiver. 



37 The Emerald Merops. 



38 Do Animals Think. 



39 A Couple of Neglected Craftsmen. 



40 Birds in their Nests. 



41 Bulbuls. 



42 The Indian Corby. 



The foregoing list fully indicates what an entrancing book 

 Mr. Dewar has written, and for it I have nothing but commend- 

 ation. The illustrations are all good, but the "Nest of Loten's 

 Sunbird" and " Loten's Suubird (hen) about to enter her Nest" 

 are of very great interest. Mr. Dewar writes as a Field Naturalist 

 and not as an Aviculturist, nevertheless the aviculturist after 

 perusing his book cannot but have a more intelligent apprecia- 

 tion of the occupants of his cages and aviaries. The following 

 extract will fully illustrate this. 



