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Reviews.



-one of the objects of the book would be to enable the tyro to

identify the birds, and it is just the absence of reliable descrip¬

tions of these lesser known plumages which often renders

identification of any particular bird a matter of difficulty to the

beginner.


Under the third heading is given the Distribution both in

the States, and, in greater detail, in Colorado itself.


The last heading deals with habits, both in and out of the

breeding season, site of nest, colour of eggs, etc. We have,

therefore, on the whole, a very complete account of the birds of

the country. At the end is given a long bibliography of papers

on Colorado birds and a geographical index or “ Gazetteer.” Mr.

Sclater has given us a thoroughly good book, to which he has

obviously devoted much careful work, and which should be for

many years to come the authority on the birds of that region.

We have only one small criticism to offer, and that is that the

measurements are given in inches instead of millimeters, which,

especially in small measurements, is a much more convenient

mi it.



THE GIZA ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. *


The Report for the year 19n, on the progress of this

institution is to hand, and contains some very interesting sta¬

tistics which show considerable progress. The largest stock of

animals kept there at anytime was maintained in 1911, and there

were only 295 deaths as compared with 380 in the previous year.

The number of birds at stock-taking was 988 as compared with

842 in the previous year.


One is apt to regard the climate of Egypt as ideal for a

Zoological Garden, but Captain Flower’s Report opens one’s

eyes to the fact that adverse conditions, of which we know

nothing here in England, sometimes prevail there to the detri¬

ment of the live stock. For instance, during the year four very

severe wind storms, sand storms and dust storms occurred, while

earthquake shocks were felt in August. Fortunately no material

damage was done.



Zoological Gardens, Giza; Report for the year 1911, by the Director.

Cairo : National Printing Department.



