The Dart ford Warhler. 117 
they ate greedily, and since then they always have fruit of some sort 
in their cages. Tliey are very fond of ripe William pears and elder- 
berries. I have come to the conclusion that fruit is essential to their 
well-being, and is qnite as important an item of food as insects. They 
bathe freely, have wintered in a cold room, and in my opinion are 
quite as hardy as the common wren, a specimen of which I have 
moulted three times in a cage, and looks as if it will live to moult many 
more times. That they are desirable cage birds is without question, 
and some day, wlien T can procure a female it is my ambition to try 
and induce them to breed in captivity 
Book Notices and Reviews. 
The Birds of the British Islands, by Charles Stonham, C.M.G., F.E.C.S. 
F.Z.S., with illustrations by Lilian M. Medland, F.Z.S. Part xvi. Grant 
Richards, Ltd. 
It is needless to say that this part (which brings Vol. iv. to an end), 
is in no way inferior to its forerunners. Miss Medland, as usual, is quite 
happy in her interpretation of her subjects, while Mr. Stonham's fullness of 
detail, lucidity, and accuracy, leave nothing to be desired. 
One of the most interesting articles is that on the Ruff, which is delin- 
eated most charmingly in five of its counting attitudes with the Artist's now 
well known skill. Nests of this rare bird have been found so recently as 
twice in 1902, and photographs were obtained of a nest in Norfolk in 1907 by 
Miss Turner. Of the courtship we learn that : — 
"In the spring, at early dawn, the males assemble at a chosen spot, which 
is frequented year after year, where they ' hill ' as it is termed. This is 
an open and slightly elevated part of the marsh, to which the Reeves 
usually repair to wait the issue of the mock battles indulged in by those 
contending for their favours. The males are very much in earnest and 
behave in the most ludicrous manner, but spar rather than fight, and 
rarely inflict any damage on each other. When sparring, the ruff is 
raised and spread so that it acts as a shield, the head is lowered, the 
neck stretched out, and the bill pointed forwards, much in the same 
manner as game-cocks prepare to fight. At the same time the wings 
are slightly spread from the body and the half expanded tail quivers 
with excitement. Sometimes the bird remains motionless with its ruff 
raised and the bill pointing perpendicularly downwards, touching, or 
nearly touching the ground, and may thus remain for a considerable 
time ; but should a rival appear, it quicklj' flies up and indulges in mimic 
warfare with the intruder." 
This quotation by no means exhausts what our Author has to say 
about this bird, but it will suffice to shew with what fullness and attention 
to detail he has fulfilled his task, while writing with that terseness which is 
the soul of real literature. 
