46 
Hooks Received. 
The Birds of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. By Alexander W. M. 
Clark Kennedy. 
This work, written, as the preface informs ws, by an Eton boy of sixteen, 
is one of considerable interest, not only becawse of the youth of the author, 
nor because it notes the occurrence of 225 different species of birds in the two 
counties, but on account of the pains taken by the author to collect and pre- 
sent every particular which is necessary to impart value to a work on Natural 
History. To our own readers this book will be more especially interesting, 
as the production of a member of our Society, and the first work of any 
magnitude with which the Society has been. intimately connected. Of the 
real assistance afforded to the author by other members, a glance at a few 
pages will afford sufficient evidence. 
The great essentials in a book on any branch of Natural History are exact- 
ness and accuracy ; and these conditions are, we believe, strictly fulfilled. 
The names of those gentlemen who haye contributed to the materials of the 
work alone afford a sure guarantee of the authenticity of the occurrences 
recorded ; whilst the division of the subjects into the various headings of 
Residents, Summer and Winter Visitors, Spring and Autumn, and Rare and 
Accidental Visitors, makes it more readable and popular, and, in our opinion, 
adds to its practical yatue. We think, however, thatit is scarcely necessary 
to chronicle the occurrence of individual specimens of such birds as the Red- 
legged Partridge, because this species is met with every year by most sports- 
men throughout the two counties, and is not uncommon. There are also 
defects in style which may be remedied in a future edition, which, we trust, 
may soon be required, These, however, are minor matters. 
Great credit is due to so young anauthor for the care and diligence he has 
exercised in the completion of his book, which is a real and material addi- 
tion to the Natural History of the two counties. The paper and print are 
unexceptionable ; and we think our Society may be proud of its connection 
with so creditable a work. 
Science Gossip, Vol. for 1867. London: R. Hardwicke, 192, Piccadilly. 
We have before had occasion to speak of Science Gossip as a model of 
what a magazine deyoted to popular Natural History should be; and we 
gladly ayail ourselyes of this opportunity to endorse our opinion, The 
