196 Recently published Ornithological Works. 



Bear Island and Spitsbergen, from the year 1598 onwards, 

 with lists of their Birds. 



It is impossible here to follow in detail the journeys of 

 1905, 1907, and 1908, which are traced on a map that lias 

 been brought np to date with the greatest care, but it should 

 be mentioned that the course followed from Bear Island, in 

 1907, by the explorers took them far up the more important 

 fjords and into the bays of the west coast of Spitsbergen, 

 and thence along most of its northern shore ; while in 1908 

 they visited the same and other parts of the west coast, the 

 South Cape, King Ludwig Ishiiul, and ]\ienko Island. On 

 each occasion pack-ice prevented further progress to the 

 east. 



A few of the most important discoveries may be now 

 mentioned. Some form of the Gyr-Falcon ; the remains of 

 a Starling (Bear Island — most northern record), of a 

 Blackbird and a Redwing (Bear Island) ; the Ringed 

 Plover (doubtless breeding) ; the remains of a Woodcock 

 (Spitsbergen); Sabine's Gull (nest and eggs — King's Bay); 

 and a young Herring Gull (Bear Island). Important 

 notes are furnished on four species of Skua, the Pink-footed, 

 Brent, and Bernicle Geese, the Wigeon and other Ducks, 

 besides full accounts of all the well-known species inhabiting 

 the group of islands, especially the rarer forms, 



Tiie photograjdiic reproductions of scenery are charming, 

 and the coloured plates of birds and eggs excellent. Of the 

 larger birds the heads only are drawn. Many English and 

 foreign artists have contributed to the plates. 



The last eighteen pages are devoted to other classes of 

 the Fauna, and to the Flora, but these are outside of our 

 special province. 



13. Lowe on Desert Islands. 



[A Naturalist on Desert Islands. Bj Percy R. Lowe, B.A., M.B.O.U. 

 With 32 plates and 3 maps. Witherby & Co., 1911.] 



There are not many desert islands still left in the world, 

 we suppose, but Dr. Lowe has found three, and gives us 

 an interesting account of them in the present volume. For 



