Notes and Comments. 



291 



work the author deals with various aspects of seismological 

 science, from the instruments used to the origin of tectonic 

 earthquakes. While the study of earthquakes was formerly 

 largely in the domain of the geologist, recent researches 

 certainly seem to show that the subject is more for the 

 mathematician and physicist. By the aid of a hundred well 

 chosen illustrations — maps, diagrams and photographs, — 

 the various chapters on the numerous aspects of seismology 

 are made even more interesting. 



BIRDS AS PARENTS. 



Prof. J. Arthur Thomson has an entertaining story, with 



How the Woodcock carries its young ones. 



(From the Badminton Library.) 



the above heading, in The Strand Magazine for July, in which 

 he describes various nesting and other habits of birds and the 

 way in which they look after their young. He tells us ' a 

 transport of nestlings to a place of safety has been occasionally 

 recorded, as in the eagle-owl, and it is not very uncommon 

 in the woodcock. How the woodcock carries its young has 

 been discussed ; it is probably correct to say that they are 

 pressed between the thighs, and that the long bill may also 

 be used to steady them.' The article is illustrated by a number 

 of illustrations, one of which we are kindly permitted to 

 reproduce. We don't know, however, whether Prof. Thomson 

 knew the publication would be headed in large letters ' Grand 

 Summer Fiction Number ! 



1921 Sept. 1 



