'^°^?^>^"n Recent Literature. 93 



1910 J 



Gordon's ' Hill Birds of Scotland.' ^ — Well written popular biog- 

 raphies of birds are always interesting reading and when both the birds 

 and their surroundings have figui-ed so frequently in literature — both 

 history and fiction — as have those of Scotland, an additional measure of 

 interest is present. Such are the features which characterize Mr. Seton 

 Gordon's ' Hill Bhds of Scotland.' 



He treats of two dozen of the more famihar birds of the Scottish high- 

 lands, drawing upon his own experience, which has evidently been extensive, 

 and quoting appropriate information from various historic sources. " The 

 hills " he says in his preface " do not yield the store of theh knowledge 

 easily; it is only to him who knows them in storm as in fine weather, and 

 in the'dead of winter as well as during long days of June sunlight, that they 

 give a measure of their wisdom." The author is evidently of these fortu- 

 nate ones, and his appreciation of nature and of his bird friends particu- 

 larly is well brought out in the pages of his book. His general picture of 

 the high hill country is particularly characteristic — " The mists curUng 

 smoke-Uke in the deep glens before the hour of sunrise, the distant hills, 

 heavUy snow-flecked, standing sharply against the horizon, the croaking 

 of the Ptarmigan and the flute-like song of the Snow Bunting, all these 

 things are among the priceless memories given by the Spirit of the Great 



Hills." 



The species treated are the Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Osprey, 

 Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Raven, Grey Crow, Ptarmigan, Black Grouse, 

 Red Grouse, Capercaillie, Woodcock, Snipe, Goosander, Curlew, Green- 

 shank, Golden Plover, Dotterel, Oyster Catcher, Snow Bunting, Dipper 

 Crested Titmouse, Sandpiper and Dunlin. Nine of these are identical or 

 only racially different from North American species, and their biographies 

 are well worthy of study by the more serious American ornithologist who 

 is seeldng data on habits and behavior as well as the pleasure which is 

 offered by an entertaining book. 



It is regi-ettable to read under the head of the Osprey: " To give an 

 account of the history of the Osprey in these islands is to chronicle a suc- 

 cession of regrettable events, events which are responsible for the loss to 

 us of a noble bird, that in former days added a great charm to many a 



lonely loch hidden away amongst the Scottish hills These factors 



[in its extermination] are, the migratory instinct of the birds, and the large 

 remuneration given by misguided collectors for British-taken eggs." 

 The same causes apparently are responsible for the disappearance of the 

 bird from much of the New Jersey seaboard where it was formerly abun- 

 dant; fortunately, however, enough remain in this State to reestabhsh the 

 old breeding localities if proper encouragement be given. 



1 Hill Birds of Scotland By Seton Gordon. F. Z. S., M. B. O. U. Author of 

 "The Charm of the HiUs" and "Birds of the Loch and Mountain." Illustrated. 

 1915, Longmans, Green, and Co., N. Y., London. Edward Arnold. 8vo.. pp. 

 i-xii + 1-300. $3. net. 



