NATURE NOTES. 
In Animals' Rights considered in Relation to Social Progress (Bell & Sons, 
8vo, pp. X., 162) Mr. II. S. Salt makes out a strong case for “ the beasts, whose 
pains are scarcely less than ours.” With much— very much — that he writes we 
tind ourselves in entire accord. The book is a scholarly production, and the 
“ bibliographical appendix” is especially valuable ; the celebrated sermon of John 
Wesley on the future life of animals should be referred to in the next edition. It 
seems to us, however, that the assertion that “during the churchdom of the middle 
ages, froiii the fourth century to the sixteenth, little or no attention was paid to the 
question of the rights and wrongs of the lower races ” is too sweeping. The 
practice and teaching of St. Francis of Assisi regarding animals must have 
influenced many thousands in medieval times — a period, by the way, which is not 
usually considered to begin so early as “ the fourth century.” Certain chapters, 
such as that on “ Murderous Millinery,” are so Selbornian in tone and teaching 
that one wonders why Mr. Salt does not refer to the Selborne Society. Such 
.sentences as “it is not the man who kills the bird, but the lady who wears the 
feathers in her hat, who is the true offender” convey important truths in few words. 
If we cannot adopt all Mr. Salt’s views, or follow him in all his details, we can 
promise Selbornians that they will find much that is excellent in this attractive 
little book. 
The Child-Life Almanac for 1893 (G. Philip & Sons, is.), aims at provid ng 
teachers with suggestions both for lessons to be prepared and observations to be 
made. The Almanac is intended to hang up, and for each month a separate 
table, containing general information and “ phenological observations,” is pro- 
vided. The idea is better than the execution, and we think those who have 
supplied the compiler with hints will hardly feel that their suggestions have been 
carried out. There are misprints in the popular and scientitic names, as well as 
elsewhere — e.g., “ Shillingfleet ” for “ Stillingfleet.” AYe should like to know 
on what authority it is said that May has been in flower at Bradford on the 1st of 
the month of that name for twenty years. 
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES AND QUERIES. 
Avadavats. — I should be very glad if any of the readers of Nature 
Notes can give me' information about the habits of avadavats. I have had 
three of them since May, and in that time they have twice moulted ; one always 
remains the same colour — a dull brown with a little red above the tail— but the 
other two alter each time. AVhen first I had them, one had a brown back with 
white spots and red breast with .spots, and the other had the same coloured back, 
but a beautiful smooth lemon-coloured breast. In July they moulted rapidly, and 
became exactly like each other, so much so that it was all but impossible to 
know them apart. Their heads and backs were brown, shot plentifully with red, 
while their breasts became brilliantly red with many more white spots than before. 
Now they have just finished their second moult, and the one which had a lemon- 
coloured breast has donned the same garb, while the other has also gone back 
much the same as he was at first. I should like to know if this is the diflerence 
between the cock and the hen, and also if it is summer and winter plumage. I 
should also be glad to be told from what country these little birds have been 
brought. 
Bath. Catherine Peuder. 
Swallotrs. — Shortly after the arrival of swallows at Claverton Manor a pair 
entered the room in which I was standing by an open window and flew leisurely 
round, making a double circuit near the walls and ceiling, exchanging lively 
felicitations upon the safe completion of their long journey, or babhling a gusto of 
delight at the actual recognition of familiar surroundings. On the 26th of October 
I was again standing by tlie window, a pair of swallows were wheeling about ex- 
citedly outside ; I whistled to them and one immediately flew into the room, made 
one hurried circuit, twittered an earnest husiness-like farewell, and departed. 
Next day not a swallow was to be seen. 
Clavcrto?i. 
R. Baker. 
