224 
NATURE NOTES 
When you add to this the wild life of the mammalian world, 
squirrels, otters, hares, rabbits, &c., &c., and the insect world, and 
plant life, of which unfortunately I know but little, Trefriw is 
indeed a grand haunt for the naturalist. Owing to the vegeta- 
tation being fully a fortnight late this year, I had a better chance 
than usual of seeing the birds. One morning a jackdaw was 
sitting quietly in the above-mentioned tree, when suddenly and 
without warning, down swooped a mistle-thrush almost on to the 
back of the poor daw, who with one vigorous cry of “ jack ” 
made a hasty retreat. I can only suppose that he was too near 
the nest of the mistle-thrush for the latter’s peace of mind. 
S. B. 
Boi Alaw, Llandudno. 
REVIEWS AND EXCHANGES. 
Ihc Country Month by Month. By J. A. Owen and G. S. Boulger, F.L.S., 
F.G.S., Editor of Nature Notes. A New Edition, with notes by the late 
Lord Lilford. Duckworth and Co., 3, Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, 
W.C. Pp. viii. and 492. Price 6s. net. 
I think I may safely say that all readers of Nature Notes will welcome the 
new edition of a well-known natural history work, written conjointly by the 
editor of our own Magazine and the editor of the works of “ A Son of the 
Marshes.” Professor G. S. Boulger’s “Familiar Trees” will have shown his 
many readers that with a complete and scientific knowledge of his facts, he yet 
does not scorn to descend to what is known as popular natural history, and those 
who have not yet made an acquaintance with “The Country Month by Month,” 
have in this work just such an one as they have been seeking for many a day. 
The aim of the authors has been to give a practical direction to lovers of nature 
in their observations, and in this they have undoubtedly succeeded. The book 
would be a valuable one for all field clubs to study month by month before pro- 
ceeding on their monthly excursions. The book is full and teeming with infor- 
mation, and when one looks at the index, which, by the by, is excellently done, 
one cannot but feel surprise at the number of objects and observations which have 
been brought under notice. At the end of each chapter are added some notes 
made by the late Lord Lilford on the first edition. The notes are valuable, but 
the style is not the style of the authors. The binders and publishers are to be 
commended for the easy manner in which the leaves fall flat when the book is 
opened, and for the clearness of the type selected for the printing. 
E. A. M. 
Concerning Cats. By Helen M. Winslow. David Nutt. 
A very thorough and altogether charming book, likely to be appreciated not 
only by cat lovers in general, but more especially by all such as have been 
graciously permitted to occupy a humble position in the household, and to live 
under the kindly if somewhat autocratic sway of her gracious majesty. Queen 
Puss. That Miss Winslow’s pussies and those of her friends happen to be 
American ones matters little ; cat-characteristics — even though the character of 
one cat may differ from another as widely as those of human beings — remaining 
much the same in one country as in another ; so that the anecdotes of Miss 
Winslow’s pets, their loves and hates, their regal .selfishness and entire devotion, 
their quaint caprices and undying fidelity may easily be confirmed or capped by 
any reader, who is also a friend and observer of cats, on this side of the Atlantic. 
Of the chapters on “ Cat-Shows,” “ High-bred Cats,” &c., this cannot, perhaps, 
be said so truthfully : these dealing chiefly with American cats of pedigree and 
