NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 45 



have done better to await the arrival of the migratory birds at 

 Yenesaisk instead of on the arctic circle. But although he was 

 disappointed in not discovering the nests of some of the birds of 

 which he was in search, and obtaining specimens of others which 

 he had hoped to meet with, the results of his journey in other 

 respects were most satisfactory, and he is to be congratulated 

 upon having returned safely to give this interesting narrative of 

 his travels in a far off and little explored country. 



The Fowler in Ireland; or, Notes on the Haunts and Habits of 

 Wildfowl and Seafowl, including Instructions in the Art of 

 Shooting and Capturing them. By Sir R. Payne Gallwey, 

 Bart. With numerous illustrations. 8vo, pp. 503. London : 

 Van Voorst. 1882. 



As compared with what has been printed on the kindred 

 sports of Shooting and Fishing, the literature which relates to 

 Fowling is not very voluminous, nor has it kept pace, like the 

 others, with the exigencies of the day. Indeed it is somewhat 

 remarkable that more books were written on the subject before 

 the invention of gunning-punts and breech-loaders than have 

 appeared since. This is not to be explained by assuming a 

 decrease in the number of fowlers ; for, owing to the improve- 

 ments in guns, there must surely be, at the present day, more 

 shooters than ever. Of this number, however, the majority are 

 unquestionably game-shots, and of those who devote themselves 

 thoroughly to wildfowling few perhaps feel themselves competent 

 to write authoritatively on the many important points which 

 would require consideration. 



The case seems to be otherwise with Sir R. Payne Gallwey, 

 who, as is well known, has devoted himself for years to the sport 

 on which he now writes, and who, as we gather from his book, 

 has e^dently coupled the successful pursuit of wildfowl with an 

 attentive observation of their peculiar habits. 



It is not in mere slaughter that the fowler takes delight. 

 The exceeding wariness of the birds renders it extremely difficult 

 to approach them, especially by daylight, and it is the satisfaction 

 that is felt in making this approach, by skilfully manoeuvring 

 the punt, which gives such a zest to the pursuit. There is a 

 pleasure, too, in watching the movements of a "company" of 



