316 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



In the succeeding chapter we have an account of the 

 geographical distribution of the Woodcock and its migrations, 

 including a table showing the date of its spring arrival at Stutt- 

 gart (Wurtemburg) and at Greifswald (Pomerania) as observed 

 for thirty years (1856—1886) by the author and by Dr. Quistorp, 

 of Griefswald, respectively. The regularity of its appearance 

 as noted by these two observers is remarkable, being almost 

 invariably during the first fortnight of March, very rarely during 

 the last week of February, and in two years only as late as the 

 1st and 4th April, the autumn migration commencing in Northern 

 Europe and in the mountainous parts of Central Europe about 

 the end of the month of September, although later in Germany, 

 and, according to the weather, sometimes even as late as the 

 middle of November. 



In Chapter VI. the winter quarters of the Woodcock are 

 defined with more or less exactness (pp. 108 — 120), and its 

 occasional appearance in the United States noted. 



The concluding portion of the volume deals with Woodcock 

 shooting under various aspects, and includes some interesting 

 statistics in regard to the number of birds killed in different 

 years ; while an appendix of eight pages contains an account of 

 the North-American Woodcock, with which species the author 

 became personally acquainted in New Brunswick. 



On the whole it may be said that both naturalists and 

 sportsmen will find in Dr. Hoffman's monograph an excellent 

 contribution to the history of a much-prized bird, written by one 

 who is evidently well qualified from his experience to deal with 

 the subject. 



A Year ivith the Birds. By an Oxford Tutok. Second Edition, 

 enlarged. Post 8vo, pp. 180. Oxford : Blackwell. London: 

 Simpkin, Marshall & Co. 



We believe it to be now an open secret that Mr. W. W. Fowler 

 is the author of this very pleasant little volume, which has 

 deservedly reached a second edition ; any doubt on the subject 

 may be almost certainly removed by a glance at the neat " dedi- 

 cation," which runs thus : — " Patri meo qui cum Auciopis nomine 

 avium amorcm filio tradidit.'" 



The object of the writer apparently is to show how much 



