190 Correspo?ide?ice.


with in a country ramble has only to turn up the part which

deals with the birds in the sort of country in which he finds

himself in order to find out what kinds he is likely to meet

with. This arrangement of course prohibits any systematic

classification being adopted in the body of the book, but as the

author rightly considers classification an important item in any

bird-book he has added a sixth part dealing exhaustively with

this subject, and in such a manner as to make it easily understood

by those with no pretension to a knowledge of natural history.


Finally we must not omit a word of praise for the illustra-

tions which are liberally provided. There are twelve coloured

plates, mostly good, some moderate, but all answering their

purpose, namely, rendering the identification of the birds perfectly

easy. Of the 118 photographic illustrations the majority are

excellent, while the outline ; drawiugs of heads and feet in the

chapter on classification are very useful.


Another good point about the book is its small size which

enables it to be easily carried in the pocket — and the price is

only five shillings.



CORRESPONDENCE.



DOVE ACCLIMATIZATION.


Sir, — It may interest some of your readers to know that in

spite of the inclemency of the weather we have two nests of Spotted

Pigeons {Columba maculosa) in the garden. Both are in Araucaria trees.

■One nest contains young birds and the other eggs. The pigeons were

turned out about two j-ears ago.


As you ask for suggestions as to suitable rings for marking birds I

enclose one which was sent me recently and which seems to be a good

pattern. It can be had in smaller sizes.


Woburn Abbey, Feb. 2nd, 1907. M. Bedford.


[We regret that the above interesting letter was crowded out of the

March number. — Ed.]



JACKAL BUZZARDS.

Sir, — You will be interested in hearing that the Jackal Buzzards have

made another nest, and to-day have laid their first egg. I wish I could get our

■Gan nets to follow their example, they seem inclined to nest but will not.

Norwich, Feb. 15th, 1907. . J. H. Gurney.



