NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 197 
this is only a detail, and scarcely affects the value of the pub- 
lication. 
Sketches of South African Bird-Life. By Auwin Haaener, F.Z.5., 
and Roser? Hi. Ivy, F.Z.S:. KR. H. Porter. 
Tus is the first South African ornithological book in which 
the camera has played its part, and given us nature photographs 
instead of artist’s sketches ; the first to be preferred by zoologists 
for local illustration, the latter when larger landscapes are 
required. Most of these beautiful blocks are from photographs 
taken by Mr. Ivy, of Grahamstown, a well-known colonial 
naturalist, and he must have many more, which we trust he 
will publish. 
Zoology is making great strides in the South African colonies, 
especially in the Transvaal, where it would have made more, 
but recent retrenchment and replacement have caused the 
exodus of many good naturalists who went out to other appoint- 
ments after the late war. Both ornithology and entomology are 
sciences which have largely found their support and advance- 
ment in the enthusiast and private student rather than in the 
paid official, for the ranks of the last must be always smaller 
than those of the former, and the latter are not always 
enthusiasts, and the former as certainly not always adequately 
equipped. A popular book like the one under notice therefore 
supplies a want, and helps the cause. It should have a vogue 
in South Africa, and in some lonely farm on the veldt or in some 
financial magnate’s office may be read by a “‘rustic Milton” or 
“vulgar Cato,” who may thus be incited to become the true 
naturalist—the observer. 
The text is to the point; where not original it has been com- 
piled with care. In some statements we do not entirely agree. 
Thus the distribution of Alario alario is described as ‘‘ essenti- 
ally a Cape colonial bird, but ranges into Great Namaqualand 
and the Orange River Colony as far north as Bloemfontein.” It, 
however, extends further north; the writer of this notice pro- 
cured it near the town of Pretoria, and that specimen has been 
examined by Capt. Shelley. 
