Hevieivs



71



status of the Jackdaw or House Sparrow, and also question his con¬

clusions as to the advisability of introducing exotic birds into Great

Britain.


Mr. Hudson is an enthusiastic lover of wild birds, but like many such

he at times allows his enthusiasm to run away with him to the detriment

of his theme, and frequently overlooks the work of others, which is

unfortunate.


His severe strictures on the bird-catcher are fully merited by the

pursuers of this despicable trade, and we hope the time is not far distant

when such a calling will be made illegal.


“ Who delights not in a bird ? ” the author asks, and after a careful

perusal of this book there will be few who fail to catch something of

its author’s enthusiasm, some of the intense joy that a study of wild

birds confers. However beautiful birds may appear in the museum,

or as portrayed by the artist, only he or she who has studied them in

the leafy woods, amid the swamps and marshes, on the mountain-side,

in the sheltered valley, or on the wild sea-coast, really knows how

beautiful and interesting they are : and by all such this book will be

read with interest and appreciation.


Walter E. Colling e.



The Heron of Castle Creek and other Sketches of Bird Life.


By Arthur Wellesley Rees ; with a Memoir of the Author by


J. K. Hodson, and a portrait. London : John Murray. 7s. 6 d. net.


This book is by the author of lanto the Fisherman and Creatures of

the Night. It consists of a series of studies—principally of bird-life—

most of which have previously appeared in a leading London newspaper.

While these were being selected for re-issue in book form, the talented

author died. A half-promise is given in the Preface that a further

issue of Mr. Rees’s work may be published, and we can say at once

that we shall welcome it. The articles are graphic, and marked with

much literary skill, close observation, and charm. They are faithful

and painstaking studies of birds.


The author was a remarkable man. overflowing with energy, and

with many varied interests. He started his career as a banker, and

became subsequently a clergyman. In his earlier years he was a keen



