64 BRITISH BIRDS. 



are handled are the same as those of the male during periods of 

 sexual excitement. \\^iat the enemies are which could be 

 misled by the " feigning injury " performance the author finds 

 it difficult to imagine. But we cannot agree that these actions 

 are not of use to some birds at all events. Let Mr. Howai'd 

 watch, for example, a Pheasant with a brood suddenly 

 approached (before they can hide) by a terrier, and he will 

 find that the dog is misled and chases the old bu*d, which leads 

 him away and eventually flies off ; even if the dog does return to 

 the spot where he started, the chicks will by then have become 

 scattered and so well-hidden that he will be very unlikely to 

 find them. It would be interesting to collect proofs of actual 

 benefit to the brood by these manoeuvres in various birds. 

 Mr. Howard's book is certainly not only informative but 

 also stimulating. 



H. F. W. 



