Reviezvs.



i 73



is said to winter in E. Africa, from which locality it has not yet

we believe been recorded. Mr. Coward has some suggestive

remarks to make concerning the air-cnrrents at different altitudes

and the possible drift of birds from Norway to France via the

West of Ireland, but at present such notes are purely speculative.


We feel that the author has attempted a task beyond his

powers, and that, as the book is cheap, too high a standard

should not be expected, yet inaccuracy is dear at any price.


_ J. Iv. B.


PROTECTION OF BIRDS IN FRANCE. *


We have recently had occasion to notice the appalling cruelty

and destruction of birds in Italy, and it must be allowed that in

France,where small birds of all kinds form no inconsiderable part

of the menu, energetic steps for their protection were also needed.

We are, therefore, delighted to welcome the advent of a Bird

Protection Society in France which has just come into existence.

It has been founded by the Societd Nationale d’Acclimatation,

but the greater part of the necessary work of bringing it to life

has fallen on the shoulders of its ‘Secretaire adjoint,” Mon. A.

Chappelier. Its President is Mon. Magaud D’Aubusson, a well-

known French ornithologist, and as Vice-Presidents it has M011.

Menegaux of the Natural History Museum and Mon. L. Ternier,

the Editor of the Sport Illustre. These gentlemen, though

perhaps not generally known to English ornithologists, are

well known across the Channel, and are a sufficient guarantee

that this newly-formed ‘Eigne’ will work on scientific rather

than on sentimental grounds. Their first Bulletin—which is

apparently to be a monthly publication—has just come to hand,

and contains an inaugural article by the President, outlining the

policy which the Society intends to follow. Apart from general

protection in regard to which the economic interests of the

farmers will be carefully considered, the capture of birds on

migration and the putting up of nesting-boxes will also be in¬

cluded ; as well as attempts to stop the plume trade for millinery,

and as a palliative for this the trimming of hats with the plumes

of game and domestic birds is to be encouraged. Articles on



* Bulletin de la Ligue frangaise pour la protection des Oiseaux . Cl*. 8vo., 16pp.


50 centimes. Paris : 33, Rue de BufFon.



