320 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



in regard to details of structure, gives promise of better things 

 from one who has evident power of observation and only lacks 

 experience. 



We look upon photographs of stuffed birds as the worst 

 possible form of book illustration, and therefore cannot praise 

 the full-page plates, in which many defects of badly mounted 

 specimens are reproduced and emphasized. In future essays the 

 author would do well to confine his illustrations to such original 

 drawings as furnish text-cuts in the present little volume. 



In Grouseland. By Evan G. Mackenzie. Post 8vo, pp. i — viii; 

 1 — 248. London : Swan Sonnenschein & Co. 1895. 



The appearance of this little volume just before the opening 

 day of Grouse-shooting was well timed, and it will have attraction 

 for all who find charms at this season of the year amidst the 

 purple moorlands, where the impressive silence is first awakened 

 by the note of the gor-cock, to be followed by the echoing report 

 which too often, alas ! proclaims its death. The subject is a 

 well-worn one, but Mr. Mackenzie handles it pleasantly enough, 

 and if he does not tell us much that is novel, he puts forward some 

 old truths from a new point of view, and occasionally gives a 

 useful hint derived from experience. This book consists of two 

 parts. The first part, containing some twenty chapters, deals 

 with such topics as heather-culture, grouse disease, rent of 

 shooting, ''driving," deer-stalking, &c. ; the second part consists 

 of a series of letters (supposed to be addressed to the author by 

 the tenant of a highland shooting lodge) full of local gossip such 

 as would naturally occupy the attention of sportsmen at this 

 time of year, and on that account very pleasant reading. We 

 especially commend for perusal the chapter on "Grouse-shooting 

 leases," which contains some serviceable remarks and good 

 advice to those who think of renting grouse moors. 



