14



Revieivs



in the courtship of the Cardinals (p. 258). But perhaps, in this instance

one bird turned jiale with emotion !


Mrs. Porter gives the British Sparrow a truly terrible character'

We in England do not hold him up as a model bird, but we have a

sneaking liking for him because he is such a typical John Bull. We

wish, as heartily as Mrs. Porter does, that we had kept this scapegrace

at home. Our British cheeks are suffused with honest blushes when

we read of his awful depravity and of his bloodthirsty cannibal

instincts.


Emma L. Turner.



The Amateur Menagerie Club Year Book, 1918-19. pp. 108.


Illustrated.


The Editorial apology for the size of this Year Book seems to us to

be scarcely necessary ; still the intention to increase it next year must

be sympathetically received by all amateur naturalists, on the basis

that one cannot have too much of a good thing. It is well illustrated

with photogravures and ornamented with excellent letterpress sketches,

the work of the versatile Editor, Mr. G. Tyrwhitt Drake. The paper

and printing are good, and our only comjdaint is of a somewhat slip¬

shod editing that has passed certain errors in syntax and orthography

that might easily and with advantage have been avoided. The actual

utility of the book is not impaired ; it contains the sort of information

that we should all seek, i.e. facts as perceived by the observer.


Wild Life in the Balkans, by J. C. Lindlay, with its full and careful

notes on bird-life, will appeal strongly to every ornithologist. The

remaining articles are all descriptive accounts of actual zoological

experiments, illuminating by their success or in their failure showing

the way to better results. Mr. Gillespie, of Edinburgh, has been

working out the theory of fresh air versus artificial warmth, in many

cases with great success. We think that more exercise would improve

the results with the Antelopes. That Crown Cranes and Flamingoes

fail in Edinburgh surprises us, as at Manchester the former do well

with a mere shed—the latter being absolutely without cover, provided

they have plenty of room for exercise and ice-free water. He draws

attention to the joy of the Penguins and Polar Bears in hot sunshine,



