Early Annals of OrnHhology. H. F. and G. Witherby, 326 High 

 Holbom, London, 1921, sm. 8vo, 240 pp.; many illustrations. 



When Mr. J. H. Gumey, of Norwich, England, writes 

 any sort of book about birds, our ornithologists, of every class, 

 krow full well that they have a treat coming to them when the 

 volume is in hand to read. We are all familiar with Gumey's 

 recent and most beautiful work on " The Gannet, a bird with 

 a History;" and now, following close upon its issue, we have 

 his ''Early Annals of Ornithology.'' 



As our author points out in his Preface, "The idea with which 

 this little volume originated was to collect all the ancient pas- 

 sages about birds, of any special interest, but more particularly 

 those which concerned British Birds, and to string them to- 

 gether in order of date." 



This task has been achieved in the most satisfactory and inter- 

 esting way possible, the first chapter of the book being devoted 

 to " Pre-historic Birds"; and then, from Chapters II. to 

 XIV. inclusive, we have each, with very few exceptions, de- 

 voted to the literature • of the century with which it has to do. 

 As to the exceptions, we have Chapters VIII. — X. inclusive 

 dealing with the pixteenth centiuy, the matter being divided 

 into three parts, while Chapter XI. treats of "The Crane, 

 Bustard, Spoonbill, and Bittern." There are 36 illustrations, 

 consisting of old cuts of birds; portraits of early writers and 

 others interested in birds during those early times; maps; 

 facsimiles of letters; birdrocks, and some few others. 



The entire treatment of the subject is made most interest- 

 ing and is of great value; and from Preface to include the ex- 

 cellent Index, every page of the volume bears the trademark 

 of orderly presentation of matter; of a thorough knowledge 

 of the subject, together with the emplojonent of the choicest 



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