NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 22] 
ascertaining ; seven brace, killed by a couple of guns in half a day’s 
shooting on the poor lands or free fens, was the largest number that came 
to my knowledge. In November, 1860, and again in 1861, I visited 
repeatedly all the likely ground in this district, but never on any occasion 
succeeded in obtaining above a brace or two, even after a long day’s tramp. 
The birds were commonly found on oat-stubbles; mustard, however, appeared 
the cover for which they exhibited an especial preference. Occasionally 
they were met with in the rough grass and coarse herbage round the skirts 
of the fens, though seldom penetrating far on to the moist portions of 
the land.” 
The details given by Mr. Booth of his personal experience on 
the subject of Woodcocks carrying their young will be read with 
interest. The passage is too long to quote in its entirety; we 
give the conclusion only :— 
“Were I to express an opinion as to the manner in which this singular 
Operation is performed (judging from the observations recorded above) it 
would be that the young one is grasped on rising by the feet of the old 
bird, which necessarily droop in the first instance ; when well on wing the 
tarsi are raised, bringing the weight nearer to the body, and enabling the 
bearer to hold a steadier course.” 
This confirms the view expressed in ‘ The Zoologist’ for 
1879, pp. 433—440, where a Woodcock carrying its young, drawn 
by J. Wolf, is figured (pl. iii.), precisely in the position described 
by Mr. Booth. 
In Part IX. he gives an account of the following species :— 
Cuckoo, Lark, Hedgesparrow, Dartford Warbler, Wood Pigeon, 
Turtle Dove, Dotterel (figured), Black-tailed Godwit (figured), 
Water Rail, Moorhen, Shoveller (with three plates to show the 
changes of plumage which this species undergoes), Great Crested 
Grebe (figured in the winter garb), Lesser Black-backed Gull, 
Great Black-backed Gull (figured in the fifth year’s plumage, not 
then adult), and Fulmar, with a plate, in which both the light and 
dark forms of this species are represented. 
With reference to the wide-spread belief that Cuckoos suck 
the eggs of other birds, Mr. Booth says :— 
“If the Cuckoo is as destructive to eggs as its accusers declare, 
it appears strange that the depredations of a species so widely distributed 
have hitherto escaped my observation. I have also great doubts whether 
the beak of a Cuckoo is sufficiently powerful to break the egg of a pheasant 
(us has been stated). Many years ago I frequently assisted the kecpers in 
