NOTICES OP NEW BOOKS. 319 



followed thirty-five years later by the personal efforts made in the 

 same direction by King Victor Emmanuel, resulted in effectually 

 saving this splendid animal from extinction in that Alpine retreat. 

 It is stated that when in 1877 the king visited for the last time 

 that part of the country where he had annually shot from 50 to 

 60 Ibex in the season, there were estimated to be from 500 to 

 1000 of these animals in that unique preserve. Fifty-five 

 keepers held ward and watch in those barren solitudes over their 

 precious charges ; and the officers of the law, says Mr. Groh- 

 man, " had but few opportunities to inflict the nine years' im- 

 prisonment which was, and, for all I know to the contrary, still is, 

 the punishment for killing one of the king's Bouquetins." 



The last chapter but one (Chap. XV.) deals with Capercaillie 

 and Blackcock shooting in the Alps, and the last chapter contains 

 some "Early Recollections of Sport in the Alps." 



We regret that want of space precludes us from following our 

 author further. His book is one that we may cordially recom- 

 mend to the perusal of our readers. Its merit lies in its being 

 very largely the outcome of the author's personal experience and 

 that of his friends. His descriptions of the haunts of big game 

 in the Alps are excellent, and the historical information which, 

 gathered from authentic and reliable sources, is scattered through- 

 out its pages, makes the work, from a naturalist's point of view, 

 extremely interesting. 



British Birds Nests : how, where, and ivhen to find them. By E. 

 and C. Kearton. 8vo, pp. i-xx, 1-368. Illustrated from 

 Photographs. London : Cassell & Co. 1896. 



We ought not to let the summer pass by without drawing 

 attention to a very attractive book which has been published with 

 the above title. 



The species are arranged alphabetically to facilitate reference, 

 to which end also the names are boldly printed in capitals. Then 

 in separate paragraphs with italic side-heads we find Description 

 of Parent Birds, Situation and Locality, Materials of Nest, Eggs, 

 Time, and Remarks. This dispenses with the necessity for an 

 index, and enables the reader to obtain information on any of 

 these points with the least possible trouble. 



