REVIEWS. 207 



concerning the execution of an individual by the joint action 

 of the other members of a breeding colony msiy be mentioned. 

 There seems to be no doubt that such events do take place, 

 though it is very difficult or impossible for us to elucidate 

 the how, why, and wherefore of them. There seems to be 

 a possibility, from our own observations, that the same kind 

 of action sometimes takes place amongst Black-headed Gulls, 

 though in this case a far more pugnacious s^^ecies is concerned. 

 The main attraction of the book is, of course, the series 

 ,of twenty-five plates that form its greater portion. These 

 are all taken from photographs of wild birds, and depict the 

 most important events in their life-history and habits. Ail 

 are good, but those showing the parent birds with their young 

 are more particularly pleasing, while No. 15, depicting a flock 

 following the plough, is quite an artistic reproduction of a 

 very characteristic scene. N.F.T. 



Birds and Birds' Nests of Bromsgrove. By A. Mayall. 

 Illustrated. Wither by & Co. 2s. net. 



This little book consists of reproductions of photographs of 

 the nests of the birds found breeding in the neighbourhood 

 of Bromsgrove, to which are added lists of " Habitual 

 Breeders," " Occasional Breeders," " Occasional Visitors," 

 " Rare Visitors." It appears to us a good idea, and likely 

 to encourage local interest in birds, but it might have been 

 made of more scientific interest by the addition of a few 

 details with regard to the status of each bird in the neigh- 

 bourhood. 



