( 399 ) 
NOTICES OF NEW _ BOOKS. 

Wild Life in the West Highlands. By Cuartes Henry Ausron. 
Glasgow: James Maclehose & Sons. 
Tuts volume consists of anumber of essays on natural history 
subjects, in which personal observation is combined with an up- 
to-date knowledge of the writings of most of our best authorities. 
This opinion implies that the book cannot be listed with those 
many publications which are usually described as “ nature 
books.” Some, at least, of these essays have appeared else- 
where, as obligations are acknowledged to “‘ the editor of the 
Scotsman for his kindness in permitting me to reprint such of 
these papers as appeared originally in its columns.”’ 
The chapters on ‘‘The Recent Increase and Dispersal of 
some Birds in Scotland” and on “ Birds and their Changing 
Habits’ are worthy of close attention. The discussion on ‘“‘ What 
is a Ferox”’ disposes of the claim of Salmo ferox to be considered 
as a distinct species, and concludes with the assertion that “in 
Great Britain and Ireland we have, in all its varied forms, but 
one species of fresh-water trout, Salmo fario.” Anglers will 
find a judicious consideration pro and con of the colour-sense in 
fishes particularly applicable to the problem of angler’s artificial 
flies. Do fishes perceive the differences of colour, and do those 
colours produce the same effect on the fish’s as upon the human 
eye ? There is very much to be said on both sides, and the 
question is still sub judice; but this may be affirmed, that when 
fish are fully on the feed—a circumstance none too frequent in the 
experience of the ordinary angler—the colour of the fly, or, with 
coarse fish, the colour or nature of the bait, seem to be a 
secondary consideration. The scientific angler is often a mis- 
understood term ; the practical or observing angler has usually 
the fuller basket. This volume is not for stern biological study, 
but for the pleasant perusal of the naturalist and sportsman. 

