472 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



white Hares, which abounded in some places, would sit up and 

 stare at you not five yards off." 



Although the principal zoological observations refer to the 

 larger mammals, the ornithologist will find much very interesting 

 matter. In the forests of the Bhabar, where the sal-tree (Shorea 

 robusta) is probably the most dominant, or one-tree occupier of 

 any forest in the world, many birds are noticed, and on open un- 

 cultivated flats the Spur-winged Plover (Hoplopterus ventralis) is 

 found. Mr. Webber one day had an opportunity of seeing how 

 useful this spur can be to the bird. " I saw one of these birds 

 engaged in mortal combat with a snake which was trying to rob 

 her nest, a perfectly bare spot on the bare ground. The bird got 

 the best of the battle, inflicting some sharp spur blows on the 

 serpent, which retired discomfited." 



In practice there is probably no sport more exciting than the 

 tracking and killing of large mammals ; it is possible, however, 

 that there is nothing more depressing than a long perusal of the 

 operation. We sicken by our fireside, when without the excite- 

 ment of the hunt we read of the crash of the bullet, and we visualize 

 the efforts of the maimed quarry to escape. It is pleasant to 

 learn from Mr. Webber that the inhabitants of the jungle do not 

 regard man in India as an enemy, as shown by their extraordinary 

 tameness, which "is a silent testimony from nature to the high 

 humanity of the Buddhist and Hindu religions, which look on 

 animal life as, alike with man's, divine." 



Handbook of Instructions for Collectors. Issued by the British 

 Museum (Natural History). Printed by order of the Trustees. 



There are two conditions attached to all natural history 

 collecting operations — one that the collector has his heart in the 

 work, the other that he knows how to do it. This little work 

 has been prepared to instruct any traveller, or colonist, who is 

 anxious to learn how to assist the cause of natural history, and 

 his great National Museum in London. There are simple rules 

 for skinning and preserving vertebrates, and others for collecting 

 and conserving invertebrates. The collection and preservation 

 of plants and fossils are also described. This little book should 

 be as necessary an item in the traveller's scanty baggage as is 

 the proverbial tooth-brush. 



