Rc^'icics and Notices of Nczv Books. 129 



Alii^rant Birds of the Commons. Downs. Mooiland anii Aloi'.n- 



tainous Districts. 

 Mii^Tant Birds of the Streams. Rivers, Lakes and Marsli 

 Districts. 

 The half-tone plates are well-printed on both sides and 

 each contains four illustrations, most of wdiich represent episodes 

 of the nestini^' season. Some 29 species are so fi.qured. 



The Author states in liis Introduction that : 'Tn the tw~i 

 volumes I have endeavoured to cover the wdiole subject of 

 British Birds, and it has been my intention to provide two 

 little companions which will enable the bird-lover to identify 

 without trouble, any bird he may see at any season of the 

 year. If this result be achieved. I shall feel that the work- 

 entailed in compilation has been amply repaid." 



How far he may have succeeded we leave the individual 

 reader to conclude from the following extract. 



Quail {Coturmx commums). 

 " Migrant for the greater part, coming in spring and 

 " departing in October; but some are resident. Found less 

 abundantly nowadays in England than formerly. In Scot- 

 " land, distribution limited: in Ireland, rare." 



" Haunts. — Both cultivated and uncultivated districts." 

 " Plumage. — Generally sand-brown, with buff shafts to 

 the feathers. Throat and collar white, margined with 



black and finishing with black patch on throat. Forechest 

 buff. Three parallel, longtitudinal, yellowish streaks on 

 head; underparts white. Bill, feet, and legs yellowish 



brown. Length 8in. Female paler, and minus the cres- 

 centic collar on throat ; chest more spotted. Young like 

 female." 



Language. — Call-note of male, three piping syllables, 

 usually written ' click-lik-lik,' or * wet my lips.' Female's 

 call, a low musical disyllabic. Alarm-note, much like the 

 Partridge's." 



Habits. — An expert rtumer. spending most of its time 

 on the ground. On the wing it is like a miniature Partridge 

 flying with rapidly vibrated and whirring wings. Usually 

 monogamous, the males fighting very fiercely at mating 

 time!" 



