Recently published Ornithological Works. 371 



from January 1 to December 31^ 1913, with a note on tlie 

 weather and of those secured each day ; (4) a list arranged 

 according to the " lights " where the birds were taken. No 

 summary or conclusions appear to be drawn up, but the facts 

 are very lucidly arranged and easily accessible to any inquirer. 



Howard on British Warblers. 



[The British Warblers. A History with problems of their lives. 

 By H. Eliot Howard. Part IX. October 1914. London (Porter), 8vo.] 



We have now before us the concluding part of Mr. 

 Howard's interesting book on a well-known family of 

 British Birds, and wish to congratulate him on the success 

 with which he has marshalled his observations and eluci- 

 dated his theories connected with the lives of the various 

 species. 



Moreover, we wish to draw attention to the general 

 summary with which the work concludes. This im- 

 presses us with the idea that the most important factor 

 tending towards reproduction is the securing by each male 

 of a " suitable territory " which he holds against all invaders 

 of his own sex, so that the first arrivals stand a better 

 chance than those that come later. Fights for a territory 

 are common, in which even the female has been known to 

 participate. The Darwinian theory of Natural Selection 

 is here evidently involved. 



Under the head of each species we find descriptions of the 

 manner of fighting, and, beyond this, of the expression of 

 the emotions during the whole of the breeding-season, while 

 the extent of the vocal powers for which the family is justly 

 celebrated, the construction of the nest, and the care of the 

 young also come under consideration. 



Tables of measurements, with the localities where the 

 eggs figured were taken, add to the usefulness of the work, 

 which concludes with the Orphean, Dartford, and Icterine 

 Warblers. 



Two coloured plates, delayed on account of the war, will 

 be issued to subscribers shortly. 



