74 
NATURE NOTES 
if the vanes are scraped or held up to the light, the pigmentary colour alone is 
visible ; thirdly, the colour may be iridescent or prismatic ; that is, a blackish 
pigment may lie beneath the surface, which whether polished, ridged, or pitted, 
acts as a series of prisms, causing the hue to vary according to the relative position 
of the spectator’s eye and the light.” 
A subject which is being at present discussed in our pages is thus dismissed : — 
“The careful observations of Jenner, Hancock, and Mrs. Blackburn show that 
the young cuckoo, when some thirty hours old, begins unaided to remove from 
the nest the rightful progeny or unhatched eggs by means of its broad back, 
which has a central depression for the first twelve days ; but after this hollow is 
filled up the desire is said to cease. It pushes below a nestling with its wings, 
and raises it with much exertion to the edge of the nest, finally ejecting it by a 
supreme effort.” 
The two specimens of the illustrations which, by the courtesy of Messrs. 
Macmillan, we are able to reproduce, exemplify, the one the practical character 
of the whole work, the other the wonderful detail of the draughtsmanship of 
Mr. G. E. Lodge, from whose pencil are most of the 114 woodcuts. 
It would, of course, be easy to emphasise omissions in a work of this size ; but 
we are grateful to the author for the mine of valuable information which he has 
crowded between his two covers. 
Twenty-six Common Birds. Bv Ralph Hoffmann, to accompany Audubon Bird 
Chart. Massachusetts Audubon Society, Boston. Price of chart, one 
dollar, unmounted ; one dollar thirty cents, cloth mounted, on rollers. 
A concise account of the commonest birds of New England. 
The Naturalist's Directory, 1899. By L. Upcott Gill. Price is. 
This is the fifth annual issue of this invaluable desk companion, which has 
become indispensable to every naturalist. 
Nesting Boxes for Birds. By Joseph King. The Peasant Arts Society, 
8, Queen’s Road, Bayswater. Price 6d. 
This excellent little pamphlet, by an old member of the Selborne Society, is 
illustrated by three woodcuts of nesting-boxes. These boxes are sold by the 
Peasant Arts Society at is. 6d. each. The woodcuts, the artist of which is not 
named, make us realise that there is still hope for wood-engraving in England. 
One and All Gardening, 1899. Edited by E. O. Greening. The Agricultural 
and Horticultural Association. Price 2d. 
Except as an advertisement, we do not understand how the interesting 
popular annual of which this is the fourth issue, with its 200 pages crammed with 
portraits, beautiful garden scenes and other illustrations, varied “appreciations” 
of gardening and practical advice, can be produced at the price. Prom the same 
office we have received copies of the Agricultural Economist, Illustrated Monthly 
Review of Agriculture, Horticulture and Co-operation. Price 6d. 
The Animals' Friend for February and March is, as usual, remarkable for 
the excellence of its illustrations. 
Science Gossip has inaugurated the excellent practice of appearing on the 25th 
of the month. In its March number Mr. Herbert Goss urges the preservation of 
Wicken P'en as a sanctuary, whilst in that for April, Mr. E. A. Martin has an 
illustrated article on the preservation of Crohamhurst. 
In the March number of Knowledge, Sir Edward and Miss Agnes Pry continue 
their interesting story of the Mycetozoa, and Mr. Lydekker has an article sug- 
gesting Siberian Mammoth ivoiy as a substitute for that of the African elephant, 
which becomes scarcer year by year. 
Received: — Board of Agriculture, Leaflet, No. 28, Anthrax; Humanity; 
Animal IVorld ; Our Animal Friends ; The Noituralist ; The Irish Naturalist, lot 
