312 THB ZOOLOGIST. 



In this comprehensive expression of opinion, Dr. Macdonald 

 would seem to have merely adopted the most plausible of the 

 many theories advanced by previous writers, telling us nothing 

 new about any of them. His book is on this account a dis- 

 appointing one, and its utility, even as a compilation, is not 

 a little marred by the amount of irrelevant matter which has 

 been introduced on subjects which have no connection with the 

 question of Grouse disease. 



The illustrations, six in number, by A. T. Elwes, depict the 

 Capercaillie, Blackcock and Greyhen, Red Grouse and Ptarmigan, 

 and are spiritedly drawn, though in most of them the outlines 

 strike us as being rather hard. 



Another Book of Scraps, principally relating to Natural History: 

 with thirty-six lithographic illustrations from pen-and-ink 

 sketches of Wild Birds. By Charles Murray Adamson. 

 Oblong 4to. Newcastle-on-Tyne : A. Reid, and Mawson 

 and Co. 1883. 



In ' The Zoologist,' 1882 (p. 501), will be found a notice of 

 a former Book of Scraps by Mr. Adamson, similar in character 

 to that now before us, though somewhat smaller in size, being 

 an octavo instead of an oblong quarto. 



The merit of the present publication lies in the cleverly 

 reproduced pen-and-ink sketches, thirty-six in number, of groups 

 of wildfowl and seafowl in characteristic attitudes. They are 

 little more than outlines, although in most cases these are very 

 true to nature, and betoken an observant eye and skilful hand on 

 the part of the draughtsman. 



Mr. Adamson has the happy knack of hitting off with a few 

 bold touches the characteristic attitudes of birds, both at rest 

 and in motion, and with some of the species he has been very 

 successful in depicting their appearance on the wing ; so much 

 so that it is impossible to mistake the species for which they 

 are intended. To naturalists his book will recall to mind 

 many a truthful scene of bird-life as viewed along shore, or in 

 the marsh, while to artists it will certainly offer many pleasing 

 suggestions. 



