458 



NATURE 



[March 14, 1895 



logical side of geology that most fascinated him. And 

 what a mass of observations he accumulated in that de- 

 partment of the science ! Every grade of the animal 

 kingdom had an interest for him. He was passionately 

 devoted to living animals, and he made use of his know- 

 ledge of them and their ways in interpreting the remains 

 of their remote ancestors imbedded in the geological 

 formations. He would take endless trouble to satisfy 

 himself as to the habits of some living animal, in the 

 hope of thereby throwing light on the history of extinct 

 forms. Witness, for example, his rapid journey to the 

 Pentland Hills in Midlothian, for the purpose of exam- 

 ining the drained bed of a large reservoir, where he ex- 

 pected to find materials for elucidating the history of 

 old lacustrine limestones. 



In those days geology had not become a science of 

 detail. There were new fields to be cultivated on every 

 side, and Buckland was the first to enter some of these. 

 His researches in caves opened up a fresh chapter in 

 geological history. And his chivalrous support of 

 .\gassiz. in the face of much ridicule, when he an- 

 nounced the former existence of glaciers in Britain, must 

 be recognised by all glacialists as one of the first steps 

 which led to the recognition and cultivation of glacial 

 geology in this country. 



There was ever in Buckland's science a strong vein 

 of practical common sense. He was imaginative beyond 

 most of his compeers, and sometimes, perhaps, allowed 

 his imagination too free a rein, but he never lost sight of 

 the fact that geology has a very definite practical side, 

 and may be turned to useful account in many of the 

 affairs of daily life. He was an active farmer, in order 

 that he might try various methods for the improvement 

 of crops. To him we owe the introduction of coprolites, 

 so valuable a source of artificial manures. He never 

 lost an opportunity of preaching the true principles of 

 drainage, and he insisted on the value of geological 

 knowledge in all questions of water-supply. These are 

 familiar enough applications of the science now, but it 

 was largely through Buckland's influence that they were 

 recognised. 



Of the man himself as he lived and moved, Mrs. 

 Gordon's volume gives a pleasing though hardly 

 adequate picture. His boundless energy and enthusiasm 

 were infectious, and led many a man and woman captive 

 into the geological fold. His industry enabled him to 

 carry on a busy scientific life, while at the same time 

 he had on hand enough of other work to fill up fully the 

 time of most men. His wide sympathies and large range 

 of knowledge broadened his grasp of his own special 

 science, and led him to see where he could find the most 

 useful collateral information. His eloquence as a 

 speaker and writer commanded the attention of his 

 audiences, and did much to make his subject popular. 

 His unweiried hospitality and his generous large- 

 handedness opened a way for him into the hearts of men , 

 while his overflowing vivacity, his brilliant wit, and his 

 racy talk made him the central figure in any company 

 where he might happen to be. Truly there were gianis 

 in the land m those days, and no one of them deserves 

 to be more warmly remembered for all that he did, and 

 all that he was. than William Buckland. 

 NO. 1324, VOL. 51] 



OUR BOOK SHELF. 



The Birds of Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 

 Edited by Witmer Stone. Pp. 185. (Philadelphia : 

 Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, 1894.) 



The Delaware \'alley Ornithological Club has only been 

 established about five years, but steps were taken shortly 

 after its organisation to compile a list of the birds 

 observed by the members in the vicinity of Philadelphia. 

 In this volume the important results of the club's orni- 

 thological investigations are brought together in a com- 

 pact form by the committee of three — Messrs. Morris, 

 Rhoads, and Stone — appointed to prepare the work. .A 

 list of the birds to be found in the Delaware Valley and 

 along the New Jersey sea-coast has naturally a limited 

 sphere of usefulness, even though it may furnish a work 

 of reference for ornithologists in general. But this 

 volume contains not only an annotated list of the birds 

 of the district to which it refers, and a bibliography of 

 ornithological literature relating to Pennsylvania and 

 New Jersey ; it comprises, in addition, outlines of the 

 knowledge of the geographical distribution and migration 

 of birds, thus giving it increased value. These chapters 



Fig. I. — A, Migration Curve ; n, Temper.ilurc Curve. 



will lead beginners in the study of birds to understand 

 the importance of simple observations. 



The influence of meteorological conditions upon the 

 migration of birds is an important point, and one which 

 requires careful investigation. The records of the club's 

 observers furnish some valuable (acts for the study of 

 migratory waves or rushes, and their relation to 

 meteorology. It is pointed out that, during migrations, 

 the flight of birds is not uniform, but ismatlc up of a series 

 of waves or rushes and rests or lulls. The relation of these 

 rushes to temperature is well shown in the accompany- 

 ing diagram, reproduced from the volume. Ihe curve 

 A represents graphically the fluctuation of the April 

 migration of 1 89 1, based upon observations of the 

 Flicker, Chipping Sparrow, and Brown Thrasher; the 

 curve I! shows the temperature variation during the 

 month of observation, babed upon the daily maximum 

 temperature. The connection between the two curves is 

 very distinct, and it is especially interesting to observe 

 that the " bird waves " occurred a day or two after a 

 decided increase of temperature. 



In conclusion, we think the Delaware Valley Ornitho- 

 logical Club is to be conf;ratulaterl upon its activity, and 

 Mr. Stone for this admirable addition to the lileratureon 

 the birds of Eastern Pennsylvania. 



