278 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



and subspecies dealt with in this volume, only six are really 

 injurious by reason of their destruction of game, poultry, and 

 pigeons, and of these the two chief offenders are the Sharp- 

 shinned Hawk (Accipiter velox), which is very like our Sparrow- 

 hawk (Accipiter iiisus), and Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter Cooperi), a 

 larger and more powerful bird of the same genus. But even 

 these two have some redeeming quality, for they have learnt that 

 the English Sparrow is not only an acceptable article of food, 

 but is also readily procurable. Consequently of late years these 

 Hawks have been much more common during the winter months 

 in the larger parks of cities where Sparrows abound. 



The actual number of specimens examined was 2690. Of 

 these 169 contained the remains of poultry and game birds ; 

 463 of other birds ; 966 of mice ; 397 of other mammals, and 

 623 of insects. Omitting the half dozen species above referred 

 to, the total number of specimens amounted to 2212. Of these 

 78, or 3J per cent., contained the remains of poultry or game ; 

 257, or 11 per cent., of other birds ; 945, or 42J per cent., of 

 mice ; 309, or 14 per cent., of other mammals ; and 599, or 27 

 per cent., of insects. 



The useful information contained in this volume does not end 

 here. As it is intended to be of practical benefit to agriculturists, 

 short descriptions are given of all the species of Hawks and Owls 

 known to inhabit the United States, together with their respective 

 measurements, so that with this aid, and the coloured figures of 

 six and twenty of the more notable species, there ought to be no 

 difficulty in distinguishing friends from foes. For the benefit of 

 those whose interest in the subject extends beyond its economic 

 side, a short account of each species is also given with particulars 

 as to its characteristic habits and nesting. The volume accord- 

 ingly is one of very general interest, and the excellent coloured 

 plates by Mr. Eidgway add considerably to its value. 





Ornithology in relation to % Agriculture and Horticulture. By 

 various writers. Edited by John Watson. Post 8vo, 

 pp. i— viii ; 1—220. London : W. H. Allen & Co. 



Whilst naturalists in America have been busy collecting 

 facts under this heading, observers in this country have not been 



