J<JUKN.\I. OK Till-: WILD BIRD IWKSTK ;.\T10N SOCIRTV. 



43 



species, and " is certainly not a respectable bird, 

 like the starling." We must confess our sur- 

 prise at such a statement, for all recent investi- 

 gation goes to prove that in spite of the injuries 

 the jackdaw inflicts, it does an enormous amount 

 of good, whereas the starling is a veritable 

 plague throughout the land. However, we do 

 not tiiink the readers of this delightful hook will 

 accept its author as an authoritv on economic 

 ornithology, much as thev mav appreciate the 

 charm of his story of the Birds in a Village. 



The illustrations are pretty, but they leave 

 much to be desired. 



lias helped to establish some and to more clearly 

 set forth the systematic position of others, his 

 efforts will not have been in vain. 



It is always easy to criticise the shortcomings 

 of a specialist, for one is so apt to overlook the 

 difficulties that present themselves — how fre- 

 quently one opinion seems equally as good as 

 another, and how at times it is almost impossible 

 to decide upon the va!idit\- of a species, or to be 

 sure of a type — therefore, whilst we forbear to 

 pass any comment on these points, we should 

 have been grateful for more detailed diagnostic 

 characters and fuller bibliographical references. 



Lesser i;l.\ck-bacicki> (.li.l. 



A Synoptical Llst oi- the .Accipitres (Diurnal 

 Birds of Prey). By H. Kirke Swann. Pt. I, 

 pp. 1-38; Pt. II, pp. 39-74; Pt. Ill, pp. 75- 

 114. London : John ^^'heldon & Co. igig-20. 

 Price 4s. per part. 



To workers in systematic ornithologv, this 

 work should prove most useful, for it is now 

 nearly half a century since Bowdler Sharp's 

 revision appeared in Volume I of the Catalogue 

 cf Birds. Since that date numerous changes 

 have been made in the nomenclature and many 

 new species described. 



That there will be considerable difference cf 

 opinion as to many of the generic titles adopted 

 in this work, is almost certain, but if the author 



Only those who have experience in work cf 

 this kind know how extremely laborious it is, and 

 systematists are greatly indebted to Mr. Kirke 

 Swann for the care and pains he has expended 

 upon the present parts. 



Anl\l\l Like under \\'ater. By Francis Ward. 

 Pp. X + 1 78, with 5 colour and 48 half-tone 

 plates. London: Cassell & Co., Ltd. 1919. 

 Price gs. net. 



That Dr. Ward has written a most interesting 

 work few will denv, for he has opened up to us a 

 world of life that has hitherto been almost a 

 sealed book ; but he has done more than this, for 

 he has considcrahlv added to our knowledgre of 



