44 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



usually about 57°." Hence the Rainbow is doomed if placed in 

 cold waters, escaping from them if possible, but if not, gradually 

 dying off. " Probably it will never stand a chance north of 

 Yorkshire, even if it should do well in selected waters in that 

 county." 



A bad report is given for Herons and Kingfishers who exist 

 near rearing ponds. We read:— "I have often seen Herons 

 fishing on Trout streams, and have seen Kingfishers catching 

 Trout fry. There are only two courses open to the fish-culturist, 

 to protect his ponds or kill the birds. I believe it best to pro- 

 tect the ponds first, and kill the birds afterwards." 



This is an excellent little monograph of a fish, with directions 

 for its acclimatization and breeding. It is thorough and yet 

 concise, occupying but sixty-four pages, with a bibliography and 

 sufficient illustration. 



Our Rarer British Breeding Birds. By R. Kearton, F.Z.S. 



Cassell & Co., Limited. 



We now quite expect an annual volume from Mr. Kearton, 

 with fresh revelations by the camera, for he knows not only how 

 to photograph, but what to photograph. This little volume, we 

 are told, is to be regarded as a supplement to a former work on 

 " British Birds " Nests, &c. ; and we scarcely require to be 

 reminded that the journeying to and fro to photograph the nests, 

 eggs, or breeding-places of our rarer birds entails an inroad on 

 time and space which is far from being inconsiderable. 



These volumes can be made to advocate a main thesis — the 

 photographer rather than the collector, the camera versus the 

 gun. By the aid of these illustrations, we live with the birds and 

 see the nests in situ. We do not come home with a skin and a 

 few blown eggs, but bring back nature in our portfolio. When 

 colour photography comes into the possession of science, then 

 indeed shall we estimate what is really assimilative colouration 

 in nature, and not have to rely on forensic argument based on 

 cabinet specimens. By the aid of the camera we shall in the 

 future understand the superficial method of organic evolution, 

 and when we are able to photograph aquatic life well beneath the 

 surface, in colour as well as detail — which is only a matter of 



