118 



THE OOLOGIST. 



brief but poiuted "Hints to Observers," 

 all of which are so valual)le that we 

 cannot })ick out any particuhir one to 

 mention here. She especially advises 

 the observer, that, in order to nuike liis 

 sttul^' of l)irds tlirou<jh an o{)era glass 

 most suei-essful, that he strive to 

 render himself, as much as possible, a 

 part of the landscape, l)y avoiding 

 bright-colm-ed clothing, l)y walking 

 slowly and quietlj', and by using the 

 trees and foliage as places of conceal- 

 ment. 



The Avork itself is a marvel in th(» 

 portrayal of bird character, and this 

 vivid portrayal of character is one of 

 the most pleasing and striking features 

 of the work. 



To give an example, what words 

 could portray to us more clearly the 

 character of the Blue Jay than the 

 words the author uses? She sa3s: 

 "The Blue Jay comes with a dash and a 

 flourish. Unlike the Chickadee, whose 

 prevailing tints match the winter sky, 

 and Avhose gentle duy-day-day chimes 

 with the softly falling snows, the Blue 

 Jaj' would wake the world up." And 

 again: "What a good Ijusiness man 

 the Blue Jay would make? All his 

 notions are like the unique loading up 

 performance — time saving, decided, 

 direct." 



Another excellent feature of the work 

 is the description given the songs of the 

 birds. Illustrated l)y notation in many 

 instances, and represented by appro 

 priate Avords in others, they are ail 

 most strikingly suggestive of the origi- 

 nal songs. 



In reaching the appendix, Ave find 

 that Ave are only half done, for here Ave 

 find the birds treated of in the Avork, 

 classed into families forming a very 

 handy table of reference. FolloAving 

 this, the general family characteristics 

 of birds are treated. Then folloAvs 

 some arbitrary classifications: First, 

 birds found in certain localities, as 

 about the house, or in thickets, or in 

 Avoods. Second, classification as to size 

 as compared Avith the robin. Third, as 

 to colors, Avhether striking and bright 

 or dull and plain. Fourth, as to songs. 

 Fifth, as to * peculiarities of flight. 

 Sixth, as to those birds that have the 

 habit of .song flight Seventh, as to 

 mai'ked habits. Eighth, birds that 

 Avalk instead of hop])ing. Ninth, shape 

 of bill adapted to food. Tenth, classed 

 as to place of nesting; and eleventh, 

 birds that are seen in flocks Avhen not 

 nesting. 



And so Ave reach the index of the 

 work Avhich tells us where to find any- 

 thing we want and c()ncludes this 

 highly entertaining, instructive and 

 Aaluable Avoik. 



Up and Down the Brooks- IM.vky P^. Bam- 



KOKD. 



In Kiveislde Library for Young People. lUus- 

 traied. i6mo.. T5 cents. Hoston: Houghton, 

 Mifflin & Co. 1S90. 



This Avoik, also written in a popular 

 style, makes the study of Avater insects 

 most interesting and pleasing. The 

 author relates in an easy Avayhev col- 

 lecting ex])eriences "up and ihtwn the 

 brooks" and tells us in a Avay that Ave 

 may all understand, about these lively 

 little water-folk. 



She depicts the invincil^le small boy, 

 in all his many and variegated phases, 

 to an extent of reality, that brings the 

 "young America' right before our 

 eyes. She devotes a closing chapter to 

 "Frogs, Boys, and other small Deer." 



Taken as aAvhole, the work is a Aalua- 

 l)le one and should find a place in the 

 library, not only of all Avho are interes- 

 ed in entomologj-, but also of all Avho 

 enjoy an interesting and readable book. 



Modern Science and Modern Thought, by S. 



Saing. 



Tn two parts, beln? Nos. IIT anrt 118 of The 

 Humboldt, Library of Popular Science. 4'i cents. 

 New York. December, 1889. 



The object of the book is to "give a 

 clear and conci.se vieAV of the principal 

 results of Modern Science, anil of the 

 reAolution Avhich they have ettected in 

 Modern Thought." The various chap- 

 ters treat of Space, Time, Anti(|uity of 

 Man, Miracles, Christianity Avithout 

 Miracles, Practical Life, etc., etc., etc. 



Of course, a Avork tf such dejJth of 

 thought as this, is beyond our poAver to 

 criticise. In all the subjects treated 

 Avhich refer to Christianity, the skepti- 

 cal side is taken and the lines of reason- 

 ing are to that end. The articles Avhich 

 make no particular reference to Chris- 

 tianity, are Avell Avorthj' the considera- 

 tion of all. 



That New Catalogue. 



Owing to an extra amoiiut of work, Ave 

 have as j-et been unable to complete our 

 new 100-page Catalogue, but expect to have 

 it out sometime during the current month. 

 Our patrons can depend upon having a 

 cop J' bj' first mail after we receive them 

 from the binder's hands. 



Faithfullv, FRANK H. LATTIN. 



