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Reviews.



terrestrial inhabitants is worth the careful thought of all in¬

terested in such problems, whilst it is written in such a clear

style that the veriest tyro can understand the main features of

the problem. Another analogous point is discussed on p, 208,

where the author points out that three distinct species of Gannet

are found living and nesting under precisely similar environment,

and he asks pertinently why these species should, from the simi¬

larity of their food, habits and environment as well as their

isolation, still have retained their individual characters and be

exactly similar to their relatives on the other side of the globe.

The answer to such questions is of course not possible in the

present state of our knowledge, but to emphasize such facts in a

book like the present not only adds to its charm but raises it

from a mere narrative to a book of scientific interest. The

islands described are all situated in the Caribbean Sea, and were

visited in Sir Frederic Johnstone’s yacht. Birds form the author’s

chief hobby, but details on all forms of life, from the minute

coral to the huge Devil Fish, are included.


Having ourselves sailed those seas and visited desert

islands, surrounded by living halos of birds and mythical halos

of buccaneers and buried treasure, we have been able to appre¬

ciate to the full Dr. Bowe’s narrative, which we can most strongly

recommend to any of our members who like to read of Nature

unspoilt by man.



THE OSPREY. *


This is another book of bird photos., uniform with those

of the Golden Eagle and Spoonbill. The Osprey can, unfor¬

tunately, no longer be studied in Great Britain, but Americans

are more fortunate, and several large breeding colonies of this

species are to be found along the Atlantic coast, and a few

pairs still, so we are told, nest or try to nest within the limits of

New York City. In its gregarious habits during the nesting

season, and because it frequently nests low down or on the

ground, the American form lends itself to the needs of the



* 7 he Home-Life of the Osptey, by Clinton G. Abbott, B.A. 54 pp. and 32 plates,

r.ondon : Witherbv & Co. 6/- net.



