190



Reviews.



Almost the entire part is given up to the Reed Warbler,

the account of this species occupying no less than sixty-one

pages. Certainly never before has this species, if any other,

been treated so thoroughly.


The life history of any species forms a subject of the

utmost interest and fascination to the individual who knows how

to observe and has the facilities for doing so. The Warblers

being amongst the shyest of birds present the greatest difficulties

to those who would unravel problems of their life history ; and

a species such as the Reed Warbler, whose haunts are the swamps

and reed-beds of the Broad-lands and similar localities, is perhaps

one of the birds whose habits are least known of our wild birds.

Mr. Eliot Howard therefore deserves the thanks and congratula¬

tions of ornithologists and naturalists generally for the extra¬

ordinary success he has attained in the difficult task he has set

himself to accomplish.


In the Midland Counties the forerunners of this species

arrive during the first week in May, the males appearing first

and occupying their several territories, these territories being

carefully guarded and every other male of the same species

fiercely driven away. When the females arrive nest-building

commences at once. Males and females however continue to

arrive and pair so long as suitable and sufficient territory remains.


This question of territory is an important one, much more

so, Mr. Howard believes, than has been generally supposed, in

fact he attributes the constant battles which take place amongst

the males of so many species more to the acquisition of territory

than to the securing of females ; which throws an entirely new

light upon the problem.


This and numerous other problems connected with the life

history of these birds are discussed at length by the author and

some of his conclusions if proved to be correct will add con¬

siderably to our knowledge not only of Warblers but of other

species.


This part contains five coloured and five photogravure

plates by H. Gronvold, all of which show the birds in character¬

istic attitudes. D.S-S.



