392 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



multiplied by 200,000, brings up to a big total of 482,000,000 

 odd grasshoppers, as well as vast numbers of caterpillars and 

 snails." Such facts give sidelights to the carnage that occurs in 

 the struggle for existence ! We could multiply extracts that 

 relate to animal bionomics, but our better course is to recommend 

 the perusal of the volume. 



We have only one fault to find, or rather one suggestion to 

 make, should another edition appear. Both animals and plants 

 are, as a rule, only referred to by their popular or local names. 

 This may be all very well for an Australian colonist, but the 

 addition of the generic and specific name would vastly assist 

 English naturalists, while for foreign readers it is almost im- 

 perative. 



The Birds of Yorkshire ; being a Historical Account of the Avi- 

 fauna of the County. By T. H. Nelson, M.B.O.U., with 

 the co-operation of W. Eagle Claeke, F.R.S.E., &c, and 

 F. Boyes. Two vols. A. Brown & Sons, Limited. 



In ornithological literature the county histories have gradu- 

 ally acquired a higher standard both in text and illustration ; 

 these two volumes have reached the high-water mark ! There is 

 such a fulness of detail relating to the large avifauna of York- 

 shire, and such a wealth of illustration, that this publication 

 can well rank higher than many volumes that are entitled 

 Histories of British Birds. The Yorkshire Naturalists' Union 

 may be congratulated on their enterprise, while Mr. Sheppard, 

 the Hon. Secretary, has carefully acted as its foster-parent 

 through the press. 



There has been a considerable discussion in these pages as 

 to whether the Twite may be considered as one of the "fosterer- 

 Cuckoos." It was erroneously reported as such near Aberdeen 

 by one correspondent, and absolutely denied as ever being such 

 by another writer. In the list of birds acting in this capacity to 

 the Cuckoo we see that Mr. Nelson includes the Twite on the 

 authority (H. B. Booth MS.). 



The shore and sea birds would alone make the avifauna of 

 Yorkshire famous. The Dunlin breeds, and not too sparingly, 

 in several areas of the county, and some beautiful illustrations 



