Book Reviews 



341 



tion of the spirit of barbarism and the introduction of an enlightened attitude" 

 toward animal as well as human life. The book discusses the factors respon- 

 sible for vanishing wild life elsewhere, the present status of Canada, and the 

 best means of securing sympathy and public support in the steps that must be 

 taken to conserve wild life. Abundant notes on the habits and range of wild 

 animals strengthen the value and interest of this remarkably worth-while and 

 readable book. Dr. Hewitt points out the scientific interest of the fact that 

 while some species of the Canadian fauna are unique others are closely allied 

 to European species. An interesting footnote gives a glimpse of the havoc 

 wrought in animal life by the World War. In Lithuania and the Caucasus the 

 European bison is now reported nearly extinct owing to the breaking down 

 of restrictions that formerly safeguarded them — contrary to the experience of 

 the reviewer in the Ardennes, France, where the wild boar had greatly increased, 

 according to the peasants, during the period when men could not cease killing 

 one another long enough to hunt down the beasts. M. R. P. 



Watched by These two new volumes from the hand of Mr. Enos A. 

 Wild Animals* Mills, the well-known nature guide, live up to the reputa- 

 tion he has already established. The volume which bears 

 Waiting in the the name Watched by Wild Animals recalls the philosophy 

 Wilderness t of a watchman at the University of California. He was 

 lamenting the fact that one never saw ripe fruit upon the 

 campus fruit-trees, no matter how carefully they were watched. 



"You can't stop boys from getting the fruit," he said. "There's only one of 

 you and there's a raft of them." 



Mr. Mills' experience has confirmed this profound truth. As he traversed 

 wild country, in his wake followed the animals he had come out to study. The 

 signs which his competent woodman's eye could detect told him that for every 

 wild animal he could see a "raft of them" were watching him. It cannot be 

 denied, however, that Mr. Mills made the most of his opportunities. He brings 

 home the spoils of knowledge in abundance. "The Rocky Mountain Goat," 

 "Mr. and Mrs. Skunk," "The Persistent Beaver," and many others are forced 

 to contribute to the amusement of the fireside hunter. 



In addition to the usual tales about the doings of wild animals, the second 

 book. Waiting in the Wilderness, opens a somewhat newer field. The chapter 

 entitled "Pirates in the Mountains" is a bright and entertaining account of the 

 remarkable feats of erosion which rivers are capable of, and "Hunting for 

 Animals of Past Ages" ought to turn everyone who reads it into a student of 

 paleontology. It is only fair, however, to say a word of warning in this con- 

 nection. Mr. Mills' books, like those of others who write thus entertainingly of 

 nature, are apt to leave a false impression on the outsider and to heighten our 

 national get-knowledge-quick disease. To achieve a real understanding of na- 



* Watched by Wild Animals. By Enos A. Mills. Doubleday, Page & Co., New York. 

 Price, $2.50. 



■\ Waiting in the Wilderness. By Enos A. Mills. Doubleday, Page & Co., New York. 

 Price, $2.50. 



