156 



THE ZOOLOGIST. 



in regard to size, type, and general " get up " of the book ; 

 although some variation in the classification and nomenclature 

 has been adopted, in consequence of the appearance in the 

 interval of the ' Ibis ' List of British Birds, and the completion 

 of the fourth edition of ' Yarrell.' 



Taking the volume as we find it, we believe that the opinion 

 of ornithologists in regard to it will be distinctly favourable. 

 For it is the outcome of many years personal observation and 

 correspondence with ornithologists in various parts of Dorset- 

 shire, and we happen to know that considerable time and trouble 

 have been bestowed on its preparation. 



With the exception of a few typographical errors, such as 

 "poised" for "passed" (p. 4, line 14), and the accidental 

 omission of the synonymy of the Firecrest (p. 32), we have not 

 noticed much that requires rectification, unless it be a mistake 

 which the author himself points out in the current number 

 (p. 143), namely the introduction into the catalogue (p. 113) of the 

 Dusky Shearwater, Puffinus obscurus, instead of, as was intended, 

 the Sooty Shearwater, Puffinus griseus. The unaccountable 

 omission of a date on the title page may easily be remedied with 

 pen and ink ; as a matter of fact which may be here recorded, 

 this book was published on the 1st March, 1888. 



Looking through the volume critically, we find many instances 

 noted of the decrease of certain species in ancient haunts, from 

 causes which ornithologists in other counties have had reason 

 ere now to deplore. The Peregrine, the Chough, and the Raven 

 have well nigh deserted the sea cliffs, the last Kite has been 

 trapped in the woods, and the Black Grouse has decreased 

 in numbers as its favourite haunts have been interfered with. 

 Sixty years ago, when the condition of the country was more 

 favourable to the bird's habits, and there was much less shooting 

 than at present, black game was more plentiful in Dorsetshire, 

 especially towards the Hampshire border. See Col. Hawker's 

 account of a day's black-game shooting in Dorsetshire, quoted in 

 the appendix to the present volume (p. 167). 



On the other hand, it is gratifying to note that since the 

 passing of the Wild Birds Protection Act there has been an 

 observable increase in the numbers of certain species, for 

 example, the Goldfinch (p. 46), while others, like the Redshank 

 and Black-headed Gull, have returned to nesting-places which 



