REVrW5 



Thirty-five Years in the Neio Forest. By the Hon. Gciakl 

 Lascelles. (Arnold.) Illustrated. 12s. 6d. net. 



Lovers of the New Forest will read tliis book with tli" 

 greatest interest, and when they come to the end they ^ill 

 wish — at all events if they are naturalists — that Mr. Lascelles 

 had told us more. As Deputy-8urveyor of the Forest for 

 thirty-five years Mr. Lascelles was, of course, in the best 

 possible position to know or find out most events of interest 

 connected with the wild life of that charming comitry. We 

 confess to a great disappointment in finding little or nothing 

 about the natural history of the Forest except in so far as it 

 is connected with forestry or sport. Thus, in describing the 

 regulations which he drew up for the keepers, the author 

 mentions that previously rare birds and birds of prey especially 

 were killed and if possible sold. We are deeply grateful to 

 Mr. Lascelles for having altered all this, but we should have 

 expected some exact information as to the effect of his 

 endeavours to protect and cai-e for the wild life of the Forest. 

 He must be in possession of much interesting information 

 about the breeding of such birds as the Buzzard. Honey- 

 Buzzard and Montagu's Harrier during the last thirty-five 

 years, and it is hardly satisfying merely to be told that had 

 it not been for previous laxity the Honey-Buzzard '' might 

 have continued to be a fai- more regular breeder in the Forest 

 than I have found it to be." 



In the cha])ter on Shooting we are given a little informatinn 

 about Blackgame. but this is very indefinite, no dates being- 

 given as to when they became rare or when the various 

 introductions of fresh stock were made, while the statement 

 " for the last few years, the days Avhen one encountered a 

 blackcock or greyhen were few " leaves one in doubt as to 

 whether they still exist in the Forest or not. 



The author's ])assion for the chase is evidenced throughout 

 the book, and his love of Nature peeps out here and there, 

 but mifortunately his pen lacks descriptive power antl only 

 occasionally gives ex])ression to the real spirit of the 

 Forest. Nevertheless, every one keenl}'' interested in the 

 Forest will enjoy reading Mr. Lascelles's account of hi- 

 " reign " there. " H.F.W. 



