NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 223 
found, numerous birds procured, and some good observations 
recorded. ‘The Scoter Ducks, of which I have seen many this 
day, were partially moulted, and could fly only a short distance, 
and must: be either barren or the young bachelors, as I find 
parents in full plumage, convincing me that these former moult 
earlier than the breeding Ducks.” 
In 1843 Audubon made an expedition in the interest of the 
‘Quadrupeds of North America,’ the narrative of which con- 
stitutes ‘* The Missouri River Journals,’ and which is now in its 
entirety published for the first time. There is a great charm in 
the naturalist’s account of a region which, as he saw it then, can 
never be witnessed again. The old frontier life, the wretched 
Indians, and the then abundant big game, are soberly described, 
and we read:—‘‘ We have seen much remarkably handsome 
scenery, but nothing at all comparing with Catlin’s descriptions ; 
his book must, after all, be altogether a humbug.” 
The ‘‘ Episodes” which conclude the second volume exhibit 
Audubon as an adept in that most difficult literary art of “ short 
story” writing, and in these days of popular reprints we shall 
never be surprised to see them reissued in a separate form. Dr. 
Elliott Coues has proved an efficient zoological editor throughout, 
and has contributed many valuable notes. Audubon was clearly 
not an all-round zoologist, for not only does he seem to make the 
very common and excusable error of most travellers respecting 
the identity of the Dolphin, but also on more than one occasion 
speaks of the Porpoise as a fish. 
Life and Letters of Alexander Goodman More, with selections 
from his Zoological and Botanical Writings. Edited by C. 
B. Morrat, B.A., with a preface by Frances M. Mors. 
Dublin: Hodges, Figgis & Co., Limited. 
A. G. More was one of those unique personalities with whom 
contact invariably produced friendship. Combined with this rare 
gift of provoking attachment, and being void of offence, he pos- 
sessed the instincts of a true naturalist, and was endowed with 
many intellectual gifts; but in a world of limitations and com- 
pensations he was cursed with persistent ill health, which curtailed 
his official career, but could not prevent his rendering signal 
