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The Wild Bird Investigation Society.



note of a Fruit Crow is described, together with the gurgling “water-

bottle ” performance of the Bush Coucal; an interesting photograph

of a wild Ostrich’s nest is included in the book. The illustrations

are nearly all good, printed two on a page, and worthy of the

letterpress. The entire work is in very truth a breath from

the veldt.


The book contains few errors; it must, however, be pointed

out that the Impala is not a “ Red Deer ” (p. 32) but an Antelope;

in spite of the statement on p. 236, “Deer innumerable” do not

occur in East Africa—nor indeed any Deer at all; the popular

name of the Touraco is Lourie, not “Dourie”; the Hammer-Head

should not be called the “ Hammer-Headed Stork ” (p. 211), for it

is in a class by itself, being as much Heron as Stork, and practically

an annectant form uniting the two. The phrase “great untidy bird ”

is exaggerated when applied to a species no bigger than a small

Heron. G. R.



THE WILD BIRD INVESTIGATON SOCIETY.


By Dr. W. E. Collinge,


Hon. Secretary, pro tern.


For some time past there has been a desire amongst those

interested in wild birds to found an organisation and publication

that would bring together all students of the subject with a view to—


(1) The more intensive study of the v r ays and habits of British


birds.


(2) The protection of all beneficial and non-injurious w r ild

birds and the repression of really injurious species.


(3) The influencing and educating of public opinion as to the

destructiveness or usefulness of wild birds to agriculture, horticulture,

forestry, etc., by means of publications, meetings, lectures, etc.


(4) The discouragement of egg- and bird-collecting, except

under guidance or for scientific purposes.


(5) The improvement and modification of the existing laws

relating to wild birds.



