70



REVIEW.


“British Birds-, their Nests and Eggs.” Volume I. — Passeres, by


Dr. A. G. Butler. (.Brumby & Clarke , Limited , 5,


Farringdon Avenue , London , E.C., and Hull.') *


Of late the British public has been deluged with books

dealing with the avifauna of these Islands, but none have been

so neatly and well got up as “ British Birds, their Nests and

Eggs,” which Messrs. Brumby and Clarke, of Hull, are now

bringing out in parts.


There is a full-sized plate of every undoubted British

species, by Mr. Frohawk, and each month a coloured plate of

eggs, by the same artist, while the letterpress of the Passeres is

in the hands of Dr. Butler, who needs no recommendation to

readers of this Magazine. The book is written, throughout, in

Dr. Butler’s pleasing and easy style, and deals fully with all

phases in the life of each bird.


Quotations have been freely borrowed from many well

known authors, especially in matters relating to geographical

distribution and descriptions of plumage. In disputed points,

Dr. Butler has carefully abstained from innovations and from

forcing his beliefs on his readers, but gives in clear and concise

language both sides of the argument and leaves the readers to

form their own opinion. In regard to aviculture. Dr. Butler has

practically only his own experience to give us; but whose

experience, save, perhaps, that of the late Eord Eilford, could

well be better ?


Although the book is, professedly, a popular one, it

contains much of great value to the scientist ; no book since

Seebohm’s “ British Birds” has dealt so fully with the habits of

our feathered fauna, whilst aviculture is dealt with in a manner

which no one else has before attempted.


We could find no bad inaccuracies or omissions, and the

book shows further evidence of having been compiled and

written with great care. One point, only, calls for redress, and

that is a certain want of arrangement: the facts are all there,

but it would have been better had they been re-arranged before

finally going to press.


Dr. Butler’s remarks on the trapping and slaughtering of

the Blackbird, on account of its propensity for fruit, are well



* Now issuing from the press, in weekly parts price 6d., and monthly

parts price 2 /-.



