NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 39 



of the translations contributed by the late Prof. Newton being 

 particularly valuable. 



Stress is laid upon the probable great longevity of this bird, 

 based on its habits and limited nidification, and referring to the 

 visit made by Eay and Willughby to the Bass Bock in 1661, 

 Mr. Gurney makes the interesting remark that " there is nothing 

 preposterous in the supposition that there may be Gannets 

 living on the Bass Bock now which were there in Bay's time, 

 for we know nothing of the ages which birds attain to." 



An interesting chapter on " Mortality among Gannets and 

 Liability to Accidents " promotes views on avian life outside the 

 Gannet limitation. Mr. Gurney is of opinion that, " so far as 

 we can judge, death from old age is by no means the usual 

 termination of a wild bird's life. Beflection leads us to the 

 rather startling conclusion that nine birds out of ten meet their 

 deaths by accidents or by starvation." Good argument can also 

 be found against the uninformed agitation sometimes prevalent 

 that a destruction of sea-birds (including Gannets) is necessary 

 for the purposes of human fish supply ; Nature can be better 

 left to manage her own supply and demand. 



The Gannet has now found a biographer, and ornithology is 

 enriched by a really good book, which will be authoritative and 

 long-lived like its subject. 



Bird Life throughout the Year. By John H. Salter, D.Sc. 

 Headley Brothers. 

 This is a pleasantly written book detailing the avian events, 

 arrivals and economy which, under normal circumstances, may 

 be looked for and observed during the different months of the year 

 in this country. It is well illustrated, many of the coloured 

 plates, however, being taken "from cases in British Museum, 

 South Kensington." Dr. Salter, on the whole, believes in the 

 efficacy of game-preserving as a protection to many of our 

 smaller birds. " It may be likened to the arm of the law which 

 descends with crushing force on the evil-doer, while promoting 

 the happiness and security of the general public " ; and further on 

 we read : " Comparison with the state of things which prevails 

 upon the Continent brings the conclusion that England is pre- 

 eminently the country of small birds, because nowhere else is 



