September, 1913. 



KNOWLEDGE. 



359 



On page 101, the figure of the prismatic compass is given as 

 Plate X1I1 instead of Plate XIV, and on page 102 the special 

 graduation of the card of the prismatic compass might be 

 more fully treated; on page 129, the phrase, "distance 

 = s tan 0" should read "distance is s cot 0" unless there 

 is something wrong in the text ; and on page 148 is not 

 stated that the correction — H 2 /2L is an approximation to 

 — L (1 — cos 0). In a new edition doubtless these and 

 other slight matters will be amended with advantage to a very 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



excellent book. 



A. S. 



HORTICULTURE. 

 Garden Work. — By William Good, F.R.H.S. 359 pages. 

 38 plates. Numerous figures. 

 (Blackie & Son. Price 5/- net.) 

 This is a good practical book written by a practical man 

 who nevertheless has a theoretical knowledge of his art, and 

 does not forget in appropriate places to say something about 

 the structure of plants and their physiology. The bulk of the 

 book, however, deals with cultivation. Definite instructions 

 are given under the heading of each kind of vegetable or 

 flower, and what is of considerable importance and value is a 

 short list of selected varieties which the author specially 

 recommends. Cultivation in window boxes, in frames, and 

 in greenhouses, is also dealt with. There is a chapter on 

 propagation and another on hybridisation and cross-breeding, 

 while, after some words on the eradication of weeds and the 

 aims of floral decoration, the book is completed by the 

 consideration of the birds and insects of the garden and plant 

 diseases. We are glad to see that the author suggests that 

 advantage should be taken of birds which do good by 

 destroying pests and that they should afterwards be prevented 

 where possible from doing harm to fruit by netting the trees 

 and bushes. A number of good diagrams have been 

 introduced, with a series of photographic illustrations and 

 some coloured plates. These add considerably to the 

 attractiveness of the book, which we heartily commend to our 

 readers. ^ M> ^ 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



A Naturalist in Cannibal Land — By A. S. Meek. 238 



pages. 36 illustrations. 9-in.X6-in. 



(T. Fisher Unwin. Price 10/6 net.) 



Apart from being a stirring narrative of fortune and 

 misfortune in collecting natural history specimens in out 

 of the way parts of the world, Mr. Meek's book is in a way 

 autobiographical ; for it shows how he became a collector and 

 the way in which the desire for adventure caused him to take 

 up the career which he has so successfully followed. Of 

 course, a good deal of the book is occupied with an account of 

 the various finds of birds and butterflies which were 

 discovered and sent home to Tring Museum for Mr. Walter 

 Rothschild, but we get a very good idea of some of the habits 

 of the natives; for instance, in the New Guinea Hill Country, 

 when the traveller is on a journey, the natives of a village will 

 know that he is coming many days before he gets there, and 

 in the following way. The villages are built as a rule on the 

 tops of spurs, and early in the morning a crier will go to a 

 selected spot and sing across the valley to the next village. 

 As soon as an answering cry is received the crier will chant 

 the news he wishes to convey. Generally the message is 

 repeated twice, and, if necessary, it will be sent on to other 

 villages. The account of the position of women is of interest, 

 for in some places it appears that they are becoming emanci- 

 pated so far as to be able to choose their own husbands, and 

 it is amusing to read how, on one or two occasions, Mr. Meek 

 interfered on their behalf and became a matchmaker. 



It is curious that Mr. Meek should have had so little trouble 

 as he did with the natives, but he seems to have been most 

 discreet in his treatment of them. 



Among the interesting photographs which illustrate the 

 book is one of an albino Native Child from the Trobiands. 

 Another shows the Papuan kiss, which consists of the rubbing 



together of noses. 



W. M. W. 



The Food of some British Wild Birds. — By Walter E. 

 Collinge, M.Sc, F.L.S., F.E.S. 109 pages. 8i-in.X5i-in. 



(Dulau & Co. Price 4/6.) 



Mr. Walter E. Collinge has made a really valuable contri- 

 bution to economic ornithology, which is the outcome of much 

 keen observation, and it is to be hoped that in the near future 

 a very great deal more scientific evidence will be produced in 

 this country, as to the good and harm which wild birds do. 

 Mr. Collinge is also to be congratulated on his freedom from 

 bias, and though it is possible that everyone will not agree 

 with his findings, seeing that the habits of birds vary very 

 considerably in different places and under different conditions, 

 he has afforded a most useful basis for argument. 



Three thousand adult birds and three hundred nestlings 

 were examined, and twenty-nine species are discussed. Lists 

 are given of the articles of diet by eating which the birds may 

 be deemed beneficial, injurious or neutral, and then the whole 

 question is summed up. We give Mr. Collinge's conclusions 

 in each case. 



Missel Thrush. — Should be kept down in fruit-growing 

 districts for four months of the year; it does more harm 

 than it does good in the rest. 

 Song Thrush. — Cannot be regarded as anything but very 



beneficial to the fruit grower and horticulturalist. 

 Blackbird. — One of the most destructive birds which the 



fruit-grower has to contend with. 

 Whitethroat. — The bulk of the food consists of injurious 



insects. 

 Blackcap. — Mr. Collinge thinks that if this bird becomes 



numerous it will be a very undesirable orchard pest. 

 We should like for sentimental reasons to hear a better 



account of this bird. 

 Great Tit, Blue Tit and Wren. — Distinctly beneficial to 



the fruit grower. 

 Goldfinch. — The worst that can be brought against this 

 species is that it probably aids in the distribution of 

 weed seeds. 

 House Sparrow. — If it were no commoner than the Robin 

 it would more than compensate for the harm which 

 it does. 

 Chaffinch. — For two months or more does great harm to 



sprouting corn ; it requires reducing in numbers. 

 Linnet. — A harmless bird. 



Bullfinch. — In fruit-growing districts it should be destroyed. 

 Yellow Bunting. — Generally speaking may be regarded as 



beneficial. 

 Starling. — Considerably reduced in numbers, would regain 

 the good name it has borne in the past, and prove 

 a most useful bird to the farmer. 

 Jay. — An almost neutral factor. 

 Magpie. — Beneficial to the farmer. 



Jackdaw. — The good which it does far outweighs the harm. 

 Rook. — Not particularly beneficial ; but its usefulness might 



be considerably increased were it less numerous. 

 Lark. — Does more good than harm. 

 Bam Owl. — A most valuable bird to the agriculturist and 



perfectly harmless otherwise. 

 Brown Owl. — Deserves all protection. 

 Kestrel. — The benefits this bird confers on agriculture 

 far outweigh the harm that it occasionally does to 

 young game. 

 Sparrowhawk. — Mr. Collinge shows that this bird is useful 

 apart from its fondness for game and poultry, but for 

 the latter reason does not advocate any protection. 

 Wood Pigeon. — No quarter should be shown to this bird. 



One remembers, however, that in a discussion at the British 

 Association Meeting at Dundee last year it was pointed out 

 that when the corn eaten by this bird after the harvest had 

 been gathered in was not counted in, the balance — which, 

 according to the calculations of a careful observer was 

 previously against it — was turned in its favour. 



