278 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



better to have omitted them altogether, for the statements 

 concerning them are of a purely negative character, and their 

 introduction not only confuses the reader, but hinders him from 

 forming a proper estimate of the strictly local fauna. If we 

 add tbat tbroughout the volume there is a manifest lack of 

 acquaintance with the literature of the subject, and a want of 

 appreciation of what a county avifauna should be, we shall 

 perhaps have advanced all that need be said in the way of 

 adverse criticism.* 



It is mucb pleasanter to turn to the redeeming features of 

 the book, and to assure our readers that, setting aside the 

 selections from the poets, and much unprofitable verbiage, they 

 may extract some information concerning British birds of more 

 than local interest. 



It has often been asserted that the Mistletoe Thrush derives 

 its name from a predilection for the berries of the Mistletoe, and 

 the statement is made (p. 3) that these berries are its "favourite 

 food." Now if any observers be qualified to speak authoritatively 

 on this point it should be the ornithologists of Herefordshire ; 

 for in this county, if we mistake not, the plant is as common as 

 the bird ; and yet elsewhere repeated enquiries have failed to 

 elicit any positive evidence that the berries in question are ever 

 touched by this bird. Is the oft-repeated statement, after all, 

 only a scrap of " folklore" devoid of real foundation? 



On the authority of the Kev. C. L. Eagles, it is stated (p. 9) 

 that the King Ouzel " lives sometimes all the year round on tbe 

 slopes of the Black Mountains, where he has shot them in 

 winter, and has often seen their nests in summer." This is 

 interesting, as it has been doubted whether this bird should be 

 regarded as a resident (c/. ' Handbook of British Birds,' p. 12), 

 or as a summer visitor (cf. Yarrell, ' British Birds,' 4th ed. vol. i. 

 p. 287). Several instances in support of the former view have 

 been noted in ' The Zoologist,' 1879, pp. 174, 203, 266, and 1886, 

 p. 490. See also Mansel-Pleydell, ' Birds of Dorset,' p. 22. 



* The allusion to "Mr." White of Selbome (p. 23) reminds us of a 

 letter which appeared not long since in the columns of a contemporary, 

 signed by a Mr. Fox, who desired to make it known that he was not the 

 author of a statement quoted in the previous number as having been 

 furnished by a Mr. Fox to Gilbert White, "neither had he the pleasure of 

 knowing Mr. White" ! 



