36 THE OSPREY. 



gence all along the line of animal evolution. It tends only to confusion, how- 

 ever, to call those acts of association which lead to acquired habits, instincts, 

 or the countless mechanical or chemical reactions of organism to external 

 stimuli, the expressions of intelligence and thought. 'Gro to the ant thou slug- 

 gard!' is good advice, but one should bring from the ant a trustworthy ac- 

 count of how it performs its wonderful work. It is important to distinguish 

 the root from the bud, as well as from the perfected flower and fruit. 



"Nearly all the illustrations of this volume are from photographs of adul^ 

 land birds, and the reader will observe that they are in many cases arranged 

 in series, and portray certain actions which are performed in a kind of routine. 

 With very few exceptions all were made by means of the method, that is to 

 say, the photographs were taken deliberately and not by chance. My plan 

 was to watch the life at the nest very closely, hour by hour, and day by day, 

 and I often made a large number of photographs to illustrate typical and 

 unusual scenes at a nest. The observer has the advantage of being on the 

 spot, of being able to see every act performed, and to seize every opportunity 

 which may arise. Many of the photographs here shown could not have been ^ 

 obtained by any other means". ' 



Mr. Herrick has pursued his studies in a most novel and extremely suc- 

 cessful manner. Disregarding all the old fancied notions, he has severed nest- 

 ing boughs from their fellows, and carried them with their precious burden to a 

 convenient open place, whei'e abundant light could be obtained and undesira- 

 ble shadows banished. There he has fastened them to a stake at a suitable 

 distance from the ground, placed a small tent within easy range and thus 

 screened he has spent hours, yes, days, watching the household affairs of birds, 

 securing at the same time a series of photographs the like of which have never 

 been produced. The notes are equally good. All in all we consider it by far 

 the best book in this line which has been produced. We congratulate both 

 author and the publishers. The cut of the Bluebird, Kingbird and Red-wing 

 in this number are illustrations from the book reproduced by courtesy of the 

 publishers. 



