New Natural History Books. 20 
VU 
Lives of the Fur Folk, by M. D. Haviland (234 pp., Longmans, Green & 
Co., 15/-) is a series of stories of ‘ Redpad the Fox,’ ‘ Fluff-button the 
Rabbit,’ ‘ Grimalkin the Cat,’ and ‘Stubbs the Badger.’ The stories are 
well told, and are evidently by one who is thoroughly familiar with the 
woods and fields where these animals are at home. There is a strong 
flavour of the game-keeper and poacher, and now and then the sporting 
instinct tells, as for example in the story of the fight between a dog and 
a badger. The volume is brightened by numerous head pieces, tail pieces, 
and ‘side’ pieces. 
Of Distinguished Animals, by H. P. Robinson (234 pp., W. Heinemann, 6/- 
net) is largely a reprint of a series of articles which appeared in The Times 
during 1909, under the title of ‘Studies in the Zoological Garden.’ They 
are much more useful and get-at-able in their present form. The author 
deals with lions, tigers, bears, wolves, dogs, elephants, rhinoceroses, and 
hippopotami, buffaloes, gorillas, monkeys, crocodiles, snakes, eagles, owls, 
and ostriches. The various stories are pleasantly written and incidentally 
contain much useful information. The volume is greatly improved by 
the series of excellent reproductions of very fine photographs. These are 
amongst the best we have seen recently. Some are very quaint; the 
Monkey-eating Eagle has a particularly dissipated appearance! 
The Open Book of Nature, by the Rev. C. A. Hall (268 pp., A. & C. 
Black. 3/6 net). 
The author of this comprehensive ‘ Introduction to Nature Study ’ was 
at one time stationed in a prominent Yorkshire city, and whilst there, 
gave evidence of his broadmindedness. In the present work he ‘ gives 
the reader credit for ingelligence and earnestness. He does not think 
that youngsters like to be spoken to in namby-pamby terms, and treated as 
babies.’ And he stands for thoroughness. The book is largely devoted 
to geology and botany, that part relating to fossils being almost an elemen- 
tary text-book on the subject; and in parts is certainly ‘ text-booky.’ 
Pond life, photography, collecting, and other items likely to be of 
interest to young readers are also dealt with. There are quite a num- 
ber of illustrations, including several coloured plates; though they are 
not ‘classified’ quite so well as the author insists that fossils, etc., should 
be. For instance, plate XVIII. and XIX. are both on the same piece of 
paper; the first is a pnotograpn of the Red Campion; the second is a 
coloured plate of the Moornen and young, and facing it are figures of 
Parvadoxides Davidis {sic} and Conocoryphe Lyelli, trilobites of the Cam- 
brian age. Generally speaking, the volume is one which will appeal to 
young naturalists, and its author certainly does not lack enthusiasm. 
In the first portion of the first paragraph on page 1, there are no fewer 
than thirteen capital I’s. 
Hunting in British East Africa, by P. C. Madeira (304 pp., J. P. Lippin- 
cott Co., Philadelphia and London, 21/- net). Tuiis fine volume is ‘ dedi- 
cated to a girl and two boys who stayed at home, and for whom the 
story was written’; their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Madeira, having had a 
successful hunting expedition in British East Africa. The author narrates 
not only what he did whilst in the bush-country, but gives an entertaining 
account of the journey there and back. This is made much more enter- 
taining by the reproduction of the fine series of photographs, nearly all 
of which are his own, and vary from ‘An Aden water-cart’ to ‘Mrs. 
Madeira sat on a dead rhino.’ Of course the main part of the book deals 
with the big game, and judging from the extraordinary numbers of fine 
trophies figured, the author had a gory time. Mr. F. C. Selous gives a 
“foreword ’ in which he justly commends Mr. Madeira’s ‘ plain unvar- 
nished tale, modestly and interestingly told.’ Mr. Selous also records his 
admiration for Mrs. Madeira, though he has not met her. Unfortunately 
the pnotographs of the lady are not as successful as we could have wished. 
There are two useful maps in a pocket at the end of the volume. 
Igtt May t. 
