212 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. vii. 



Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa). — In Kirkcudbrightshire, two 



August, two September, one October, and one December ; one 



in Invemess-shire, September. 

 Little Auk {Alle alle). — ^A good account is given of the great visitation 



in the winter of 1911-12. 

 Capekcaillie X Blackcock. — Hybrid shot in Argyllshire more 



resembled the first-named species. H.F.W. 



/. Guide to Selhorne. II. Synopsis of the Life of Gilbert 

 White. By W. H. Mullens. Being No. CXC of the 

 Bulletin of the British Ornithologists^ Club. Witherby. 

 2s. 6d. net. 



Owing to the lamented death of Dr. Sclater, the proposed 

 expedition of the British Ornithologists' Club to Selborne 

 did not take place. The " Guide to Selborne " and 

 " Synopsis of the Life of Gilbert White," which had been 

 prepared for the occasion by Mr. W. H. Mullens, appear, 

 however, as a special number of the Bulletin. There is 

 no one at the present time more versed in " Selborniana " 

 than Mr. Mullens, and the pamphlet under review maintains 

 the authoritative standard of his previous pubhcations on 

 the subject. In the twenty-seven pages there is given a 

 mass of information, duly corroborated by references, which 

 testifies to the patience and research of the writer, while 

 an appreciation of The Natural History of Selborne, occupying 

 the last seven pages, is tempered with kindly, but just, 

 criticism. Certain individuals will always be regarded as 

 factors in the world's progress of thought, and as such the 

 name of Gilbert White will ever be held in high honour. 

 Newton has said that, "more than half the Zoologists of 

 the British Islands for the past eighty years or more have 

 been infected with their love of the study by Gilbert White, 

 and it can hardly be supposed that his influence will cease " 

 {Dictionary of Birds (1893-96), Introduction, p. 19). Mr. 

 Mullens, as has already been stated, is well quahfied to write 

 of Selborne and its parson, and one really wonders if there 

 is yet anything more to be discovered about this interesting 

 personage. Although no authentic picture of Gilbert White 

 is known, notwithstanding recent rumours to the contrary, 

 we have to thank Mr, Mullens for as graphic, yet concise, 

 a description of this naturahst's home and personality as 

 it is possible for pen and ink to give in so short a space. 



H.S.G. 



