94 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
to keep alive in a cage It is a busy, meddling little bird, at 
the head of all attacks on cat or owl that may stray into the gardens or 
shrubberies, seeming to become quite infuriated against these enemies.’’ 
Next, the auk and widgeon receive the author’s attention, and the red 
shank, oyster-catcher, water-rail, field-fare, whimbrel, and purple sand- 
piper come in for their share of his remarks ; he has always a few words 
for each of them ; and as he speaks, in every instance, from personal 
experience, his statements are worthy of consideration. Relating his 
observations during the month of April, he writes : 44 Riding by the 
heronry on the Find-horn, I saw the Altyre keeper searching in all the 
jackdaws’ nests that he could reach for the remains of the herons’ eggs. 
These active little marauders live in great numbers in the rocks imme- 
diately opposite the herons, and keep up a constant warfare with them 
during the breeding season, stealing an immense number of their eggs, 
which they carry over to the holes and crevices of the opposite rocks, and 
eat them, out of reach of the herons.” All through this volume may 
be found passages of a similarly interesting character to those just quoted, 
and in all we may trace the ardent love of nature for which the author 
was remarkable. Very little attention has been paid to invertebrates, 
44 birds, beasts, and fishes ” appearing to have been his favourites. Almost 
every British bird has been noticed to some extent, and numbers of 
mammals and fish have been recorded and described. The book has 
rather the features of a diary than of a continuous narrative ; and, 
although for that reason it may be distasteful to some, we consider it to 
possess more value as a work for the perusal of those who are desirous of 
studying not only the habits of animals but also the periods of their 
appearance. It is a volume which should be in the library of every 
country gentleman. 
THE REASON WHY : PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND 
GEOLOGY.* 
W E regard accurate compilations as among the most useful of all 
forms of publication. The student who is endeavouring to 
inform himself of the exact existing condition of any particular branch 
of science, cannot— unless indeed his leisure be more ample than that of 
students generally — afford the time which it is necessary to expend in 
poring over ponderous tomes and myriads of serials, to obtain what a well- 
compiled hand-book would present to him in a few hundred pages. Hence 
* 44 The Reason Why : Physical Geography and Geology.” Containing 
upwards of Eleven Hundred Reasons explanatory of the Physical Phe- 
nomena of the Earth, its Geological History, and the Geographical Distri- 
butions of Plants, Animals, and the Human Families. By the Author of 
the 44 Reason Why : General Science,” &c. London : Houlston & Wright. 
18G3. 
