NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 487 



the Chough and the Jackdaw are reported by Mr. Ussher as not 

 apparently molesting one another, " still, the increase of the 

 Jackdaw has been observed in many places to coincide with the 

 diminution of the red-billed bird." The Crested Lark has been 

 once obtained in Ireland, and it is interesting to read that it was 

 shot by the well-known war correspondent, Sir W. H. Russell, 

 then a boy of fifteen, who under the letters " W. R." communicated 

 the fact to the 'Dublin Penny Journal' in 1836. It will probably 

 not be known to all that the Stone- Curlew is in Ireland a " rare 

 casual visitor, chiefly in winter, but never in summer," and that 

 it has only been obtained in ten cases. Many interesting facts 

 and suggestions are given respecting the Guillemot. Mr. Ussher 

 remarks that as incubation proceeds the eggs become so completely 

 covered with filth that he has seen many cemented thereby to 

 the rock, which may account for the exaggerated statement that 

 the bird has the power of gluing them to the rock to keep them 

 from falling off. He also suggests that the beautiful varieties of 

 colouring in the eggs " must help each bird to distinguish her 

 eggs from others lying near, until they become all stained and 

 soiled." 



We could, but must not, extract other notes from this history 

 of Irish birds, which is, and will long remain, the standard work 

 on the subject. It is a story well told, and a treatise well written, 

 embellished with the reproduction of some well-selected photo- 

 graphs, and with a coloured plate exhibiting variations in the 

 tints and markings of the eggs of the Peregrine Falcon. 



Fancy Waterfowl. By Frank Finn, F.Z.S. Published by 

 * The Feathered World.' 



The purpose and scope of this publication is distinctly 

 enunciated by the author. It is " to give such description and 

 details as may enable anyone who becomes interested in these 

 beautiful birds to recognise such species as he will see in 

 collections on ornamental waters, like that of St. James's Park, 

 or find on sale with the dealers, and to treat them successfully if 

 he decides to take up the Fancy on his own account." 



