X 
THE GUIDE TO NATURE 
book of reminiscences. He makes known to 
the literary public many things from the pub- 
lisher’s point of view that are especially en- 
joyable. The statements are written without 
straining for effect, but as simply as if the 
writer were speaking to the reader, a fact that 
makes them all the more valuable and pleasing. 
Along the same and similar lines Mr. Ells- 
worth is delivering lectures to delighted audi- 
ences in all parts of the country. We recom- 
mend our readers to send to Houghton Mifflin 
Company for a copy of the book or to order 
it through a bookseller. For further particu- 
lars as to lectures address Mr. Ellsworth at 
The Century Club, 7 West Forty-third Street, 
New York City. 
The Children’s Life of the Bee. By Maurice 
Maeterlinck. Selected and Arranged by Al- 
fred Sutro and Herschel Williams. Illus- 
trated by Edward J. Detmold. New York 
City : Dodd, Mead and Company. 
Bees are among the most interesting of all 
insects, and undoubtedly Maurice Maeterlinck 
is one of the most interesting writers on these 
interesting insects, which appeal especially to 
children. We therefore welcome this wonder- 
ful nature book which follows the thought, and 
in many cases repeats the language, of one of 
the foremost literary men of the present day. 
The colored illustrations are beautiful. 
A Little Gateway to Science. Hexapod 
Stories bv Edith M. Patch, with illustra- 
tions bv Robert T. Sim. Atlantic Monthly 
Press, Boston, 1920, pages 1 to 178. Price: 
school edition. $ .90: Library edition. $1.25. 
We have in this little volume a collection 
of most interesting stories told in a charm- 
ing manner by one possessing an intimate 
accuaintancfe with insect life and therefore 
unwilling to sacrifice fidelity to increase the 
“story” value of the tales. There is no rea- 
son why some of the most attractive fea- 
tures regarding the abounding life all about 
us should not be put in simple language for 
the delight of the children and even the in- 
struction of their elders. 
This little work should fill a great need in 
supplying children with desirable summer 
reading and it may be employed to great 
advantage as a supplementary reader for 
primary grades in both public and private 
schools. Through this volume and others 
like it, our children may be led into an ap- 
preciation and sympathy with nature that 
will be of utmost value in later years. — 
E. P. Felt. 
What Bird is That? A Pocket Museum of 
the Land Birds of the Eastern United States, 
Arranged According to Season. By Frank 
M. Chapman, Curator of Birds in the Ameri- 
can Museum of Natural History and Editor 
of “Bird-Lore.” New York City: D. Apple- 
ton and Company. 
Here is a new kind of bird book. It not only 
shows the color and chief markings of each 
bird but also shows whether a bird is large 
or small. Moreover, by means of group pic- 
tures. it shows all the birds arranged according 
to season. With these two features to aid one, 
the identification of the various birds is easy, 
even for the beginner. 
This book, by the great authority, Frank M. 
Chapman, is a complete guide. Every land bird 
east of the Rocky Mountains (301 species in 
all ) is pictured. To accompany these pictures 
Dr. Chapman has written text describing the 
distinguishing marks, range, nest, eggs and 
song of each bird, and the localities where and 
seasons when it may be found. Every person 
who has ever wanted to know the birds should 
have this book. It is the simplest and most 
authoritative of bird books for the amateur. 
The Meadow Brook. 
BY CHARLES NEVERS HOLMES, NEWTON, MASS. 
Where daisies bask in the sunshine bright 
And buttercups glow with saffron light. 
Where bees are buzzing all summer day 
And butterflies flit on pinions gay, 
Where birds sing blithely their melody 
Amongst the boughs of a willow tree, 
A meadow brook — never resting — flows 
Until earth is white with wintry snows. 
’Mid grassy banks runs this shallow stream. 
So clear and cool, with its sparkling gleam. 
And murmurs low like a lullaby 
At eventide when the fleet bats fly, 
When crickets chant on a cloudless night 
And full moon shines like a pearl of light. 
A Bouquet of Scents. 
Such a charming bouquet of scents 
On our motor ride today ! 
First it was sweet wild roses, 
Then ’twas the new-mown hay. 
We entered a twilit wood. 
Where ferns most congregate, 
Whose aroma fills the air 
Be the season early or late : 
And the nectar of the pines 
With the sun on their needles fine. 
Was beguiling to the sense, — 
Was better than quaff of wine. 
Some fields of blossoming clover 
Were offering their best, 
And a winding lane of alders 
Vying with all the rest. 
Now and again a sawmill 
Would come into our view; 
And the air be redolent 
Of the odor of lumber new. 
At last we approached the sea, 
Where, aside from the glorious view. 
Its tonic, briny breath 
Would our very life renew. 
— Emma Peirce. 
Explaining the Early Bird. 
First Bird — “Didn’t you come north 
unusually soon ?” 
Second Bird — ‘Wes, I heard nests are 
going to be awfully scarce.” — New 
Y'ork Sun. 
Elderberry. 
Great creamy masses line the way 
As through the countryside we go; 
It lends a freshness to the day, 
When we can see this summer snow. 
— Emma Peirce. 
