82 HUITISH BIRDS. [vol. vi. 



the review above mentioned the case of the Wryneck nesting 

 for many years in the same tree, actual proof by •• ringing " has 

 been forthcoming in two instances that the same pair of 

 migrants (Swifts) has bred in the same spot for at least two 

 years in succession (cf. Vol. V., p. 165). We have also several 

 records of one of a pair of Swallows returning to the same 

 place but the sex of these is doubtful, and one case of a male 

 House-Martin (cf. Vol. III., pp. 299, 399 ; V., p. 102, and 

 supra, p. 13). Then we have the record of the Wood- 

 Warbler caught on a nest in 1910 and caught again on a nest 

 Avithin eighty yards of the same place in 1911 (Vol. V., p. 57). 

 Here again however, the sex of the bird is not certain, but 

 it was in all probability the female. We have little doubt 

 that "ringing" will produce further "hard" facts in connexion 

 with this subject, and meanwhile the records already to hand 

 must be considered before Mr. Howard's theories can be 

 accepted. 



In habits the Willow- Warbler is very similar to the Chiff- 

 chaff, but it is interesting to note that the two species express 

 their emotions by different actions, and the " wing-flapping " 

 of the Willow- Warbler seems a distinctive feature of its sexual 

 activity. It is noted, too, that the two species have a mutual 

 antipathy which results in frequent battles, and this is the 

 more likely since their habits, food, and habitats are so similar. 

 An interesting case of polygamy in the Willow-Warbler is 

 recounted, and there are many other observations due to the 

 author's extremely careful watching which Ave have not space 

 to mention. 



The account of the life-history of Savi's Warbler is rather 

 meagre, but this is a bird Avhich we have, unfortunately, long 

 lost as a breeding species. H.F.W. 



A Catalogue of the Vertebrate Fauna of Dumfriesshire. By 

 Hugh S. Gladstone. Dumfries : Maxwell. 5s. net. 



This is a neat little work, giving a list of the species and a very 

 brief account of their status in the county. The bird portion 

 is taken from the author's Birds of Dumfriesshire, brought 

 up to date by the Addenda, which we have already noticed. 

 (Vol. v., pp. 256-7). The new matter referring to the other 

 classes of vertebrates is beyond our province. The book is 

 provided Avith a map and an index. 



