113 
NOTES AND COMMENTS. 
THE IRISH COAL TIT. 
With regard to the Irish Coal Tit, a new species described 
under the name of Parus hibernicus, in Vol. XXVII. of the 
“Bulletin of the British Ornithlolgists’ Club,’ we learn from 
British Birds for February, that ‘it is most regrettable that 
before the publication of the Bulletin, a note appeared... in 
the Daily Mail (Dec. 28th, 1910) ... which, although inaccurate 
in many particulars, contains a sufficient description and the 
Latin name ‘ Parus hibernicus’’to allow it to stand as the 
first description of the bird, according to the present rules 
of zoological nomenclature.’ Whether the Irish Coal Tit is a 
distinct species or not (and there is a growing tendency amongst 
ornithologists to describe ‘new species’), future investigators 
will certainly not admire the way in which English zoologists 
publish particulars of their researches. 
NAGURESSfUDY.. 
It must be gratifying to readers of The Naturalist, and to 
all interested in the study of Nature, to find that Nature Study 
is now the rule at our schools, whilst ten years ago it was 
the exception. One effect has naturally been the publication 
of an enormous amount of literature ; good, bad, and indifferent. 
Many of the books and magazines have not stood the test of 
time, and in a process of ‘ natural selection,’ have been elimi- 
nated. .Some should never have appeared at all, We have 
before us a few volumes, all of which are of the right kind, and 
by well-qualified authors. 
“THE AIMS AND METHODS OF NATURE STUDY.’ * 
Under this title, Dr. John Rennie has issued a valuable 
volume, which is essentially a ‘Guide to Teachers.’ Dr. 
Rennie is lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, and knows 
the teachers’ requirements. His book is refreshing, also, as it 
is by no means principally occupied by botanical subjects— 
a fault too frequent in works of this kind. In an admirable 
Introduction, Prof. J. A. Thomson explains what Nature 
Study is, or should be, as well as we have ever seen it stated. 
The book itself covers almost every branch of the subject, 
a fair proportion being allocated to each. It has the further 
advantage of not being too elementary, and suggests lessons 
suitable for the upper classes. There are nearly two hundred 
illustrations, including a coloured ‘ Nature Calendar,’ as 
frontispiece. For teachers we know of no better book on 
this ‘subject. 
=“ondon= W..B: Clive: 352 pp: 3/6: 
1911 Mar. 1. 
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