^'"'gf?^''] Camera Craft Notes. 239 



advantage of such an accessible position does not compensate for 

 the extreme wariness of the bird. Several whole days have we 

 spent without obtaining a picture. The nesting site is usually 

 chosen close to a dead gum tree, and this appears to be used by 

 the birds as an observation post. Occasionally an unthinking 

 bird will alight on the look-out belonging to a neighbouring pair. 

 This is the signal for an attack by the owners, who fiercely 

 drive the offender some distance away. The photograph of 

 the pair at the nest was taken in a furze hedge at Meredith. The 

 camera in use in this case was a box one, which did not allow of 

 focussing, everything having to be done by measurement. It 

 was a remarkable chance, therefore, that the picture included 

 both birds. — S. A. Lawrence, R. T. Littlejohns. 23/2/17. 



Review. 



["The Birds of Britain: their Distribution and Habits." By A. H. 

 Evans, M.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Cambridge: At the University Press. 1916.] 



The Syndics of the Cambridge University Press have been good 

 enough to send a copy of the above little work for the acceptance 

 of the R.A.O.U. ; and interest is lent to the book because the 

 author, having visited Australia, is known personally to many 

 members of the Australasian Union. 



Though primarily intended for the schools of the British Isles 

 — geographically " a little spot," yet the hub of a world-wide 

 Empire — the book will also be useful for those who require a short 

 handbook which includes results of recent observations, and is 

 adapted to more modern nomenclature— i.^., the new list of the 

 B.O.U. The introduction, in a general way, deals brieiiy with the 

 origin of birds, technical terms used for feathers, plumages, 

 migration, geographical distribution, &c. The " classification " 

 is also briefly explained ; then follows in order each species, 

 succinctly treated. As a sample, here is a little i:)en-picture about 

 the Puffin (p. 241) : — 



" By name at least everyone knows the Puffin. Sea-Parrot, or 

 Tammie Norie {Fratercula arctica), a black bird with white cheeks 

 and under parts, orange feet, and orange and blue bill. The sheath 

 of this huge compressed bill is shed in pieces in autumn. The 

 bird breeds in suitable places all round our coasts, choosing to 

 burrow in earthy slopes on islands or cliffs, and laying a coarse- 

 grained, whitish egg with faint lilac markings, on the bare soil 

 or a little dry grass. It is amusing to walk about a big colony 

 and see the birds popping out of their holes one after the other 

 and speeding like arrows to the sea, which soon becomes covered 

 with them, while it is equally interesting to watch them passing 

 to and fro with fish for their young later in the season. They bite 

 severely if disturbed in their burrows. The Puffin ranges from 



