BRITISH BIRDS. 
13 
ing of all the class. It includes such familiar kinds as earwigs, cockroaches, 
grasshoppers, locusts, leaf-and -stick insects, and the like. Then comes the 
Nenroptera. an order comprising the dragon-flies, white ants, and May-flies. 
Under this heading there is a special chapter devoted to an admirable account of 
the social economy of the while ants, which is most interesting and has never 
before, we believe, been published in England in a concise and comprehensive 
form. The order Hymenoptera — sawflies, ants, bees, &c. — is only partially dealt 
with, the rest of it being allowed to stand over for another volume, which will be 
entirely set apart for the remaining groups of insects. 
After this brief sketch of the contents of the volume, and the nature of the 
animals discussed in it, we are compelled to face the very important question — Is 
it well done ? To this we reply most emphatically in the affirmative, so far as the 
insects are concerned. We doubt if they could have been done better by any one 
man ; and when the following volume is completed, Mr. Sharp’s work will, wc 
think, last for many years as the standard text book on entomology in England. 
Of course there are some points in it open to criticism, and we should like to hear 
Mr. M’Lachlan’s opinion respecting the heterogeneous mob grouped under the 
heading Neuroptera. But on the whole the work is worthy of all praise, anil 
affords a striking contrast to that of the two authors who deal with Peripatus and 
the Myriapods. Mr. Sedgwick’s chapter is clumsily written, and far too technical 
for beginners ; his synopsis of the species is inexcusably imperfect, quite apart 
from its manifest sins against the rules of scientific nomenclature. Mr. Sinclair’s 
contribution is much more readable; but his classification of Myriapods — well, 
when we affirm that it is for some unexplained reason half a century old, and full 
of mistakes as to matters of fact, we need say no more to prove its utter worthless- 
ness as an epitome of our knowledge on the subject. 
We have no wish to conclude with a disparaging note, so we will add that the 
book is admirably printed, and that the woodcuts are in every way excellent. 
BRITISH BIRDS.- 
HIS is a popular book, and treats in a popular manner of 
all the species that reside permanently, or for a portion 
of each year, within the limits of the British Islands. 
The accidental, irregular, or occasional visitors are 
mentioned but are not described. Of the rest there is, under 
the heading of each species, a very concise description of the 
plumage, and a brief account of the appearance, language, and 
life habits of the birds treated of. The raison d'etre of this book 
appears to be the necessity of having a volume on British birds 
in Messrs. Longman’s “ Outdoor World Library.” Whether this 
justifies its appearance— at a time, too, when a handbook, more 
full and complete than the present work, yet still designed for 
popular use, and prepared by a master in the science, is in course 
of publication — is another matter. But while we confess our 
inability to see what place or want the volume under notice can 
fill, we took it up with considerable pleasure and interest. It is 
always pleasant, and generally instructive, to read what a 
* British Birds. By W. H. Hudson, C.M.Z.S., with a chapter on “ Struc- 
ture and Classification,” by Frank Beddard, F.R.S., pp. xviii.,363; 8 coloured 
plates, 8 plates, and 103 figures. (London: Longmans, 1895.) Price 12s. 6d. 
