Book Review 



Wild Animal Stamp Primer. New York, 2001 Park. 85c + 7c 

 post 



I have written, in the course of I will not say how many years, 

 stories about almost everything under the sun; I do not like to 

 think of the number of words I have put upon paper, and I cannot 

 help but feel glad that all the words have not been printed, for 

 the world never did anything to me to cause the exaction of such a 

 penalty. Though my clippings show my offence has been severe, 

 I still keep on writing — and receiving checks(?). But now I am 

 going to tackle a new subject. I'll not say what kind of a writer 

 I am, but I know I am no book reviewer; yet the new subject is a 

 book, and I'm going to say a little about it. 



The book in question is so new, novel and interesting that I 

 feel that I want to tell others about it, and if they are half as much 

 in love with the outdoors as I am, I believe they will find it as 

 entertaining and instructive as I did, even if it is supposed to be a 

 "kids' book." In fairness, perhaps I should sa^ that I have 

 absolutely nothing to gain by this writing; it is done honestly 

 and spontaneously. 



The title is: "Wild Animal Stamp Primer," illustrated from 

 photographs taken in the New York Zoological Park. The 

 Primer stands as the realization of an idea of Mr. H. R. Mitchell, 

 manager of Privileges of the Park, and was prepared and copy- 

 righted (November, 19 16) by him. The fifty, natural colored 

 pictures are by Mr. Elwin R. Sanborn, the official photo- 

 grapher of the Society, whose work needs no introduction. The 

 foreword is written by Dr. William T. Hornaday. The Primer 

 is composed of fifty short stories, many written in a personal, 

 confidential letter-form, and is well fitted to serve as a text -book. 

 It is primarily for children but "grown ups" will enjoy it, for 

 the stories are well written and contain bits of information not 

 easily to be gleaned. 



Each story deals with an animal or bird, giving the chief habits 

 and characteristics, correcting popular but false beliefs regarding 

 it, with little sidelights and "secrets" concerning the particular 

 specimen. Heading or footing each is a space in which the picture 

 of the animal written about is to be pasted. The pictures, or 

 stamps, go with the book in a sheet, ready gummed and perforated; 



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