NATURE NOTES 
172 
1883, in scientific order with their scientific names; a list of terms applied to 
wild fowl to express number ; and a “ post scriptum,” which we cannot do better 
than reproduce in extenso. 
“ The destruction of an uncommon bird for the purpose of identification is a 
barbarism. This is more especially so in the case of those which if left un- 
molested might remain to nest. It is hoped that the matter in the preceding 
pages may prove an ‘ aid to identification without slaughter.’ 
“ It is my desire to collate still further information for the assistance of the 
outdoor observer in recognising birds without injuring or even alarming them. 
Any assistance which my readers can give me will be highly appreciated. 
“The following example shows the description of information which appears 
desirable. 
“Hawfinch. — Might be mistaken for a chaffinch, but for no other bird, 
although bearing a slight resemblance to a waxwing. It differs from the chaf- 
finch in being larger, having only one while bar on each wing, and in the more 
conspicuous peculiarities the parrot-like bill and the white tail feathers. The 
latter present the appearance of a square white patch on the upper side of the 
tail. The general colouring is most harmoniously blended. The song is of 
little service for the purpose of identification. The notes are soft and low, 
usually uttered when perched on a tree. No particular characteristics when 
singing have been recorded. 
“Although the above gives an outline of the scheme it is subject to modi- 
fication, and probably some of my correspondents may be able to suggest 
improvements. 
“ In the case of the warblers, the time at which any bird is likely to be heard, 
the situation in which it sings, and its behaviour when singing, are of the greatest 
importance. The great similarity in the colouring and the hideling habits of 
many of this species make identification extremely difficult, when the song is not 
known. Charles Louis Ilett, Springfield, Brigg.” 
As an example of the interest of this subject a correspondent writes to us : 
“ I daresay some of your readers will smile on hearing of a bird which might not 
inaptly be called the Biscuit-Bird, one of whose notes literally equals the pro- 
nunciation of “ peak frean.” I heard it the other evening out in the open, but as 
it was close upon sundown I could not even with my glass make out its markings. 
By the build of it, however, I conjectured it to be a thrush, and both note and 
conjecture, though not included in his book, have since been confirmed by Mr. 
Ilett from personal observation.” 
In conclusion, we can only express a hope that our members will speedily 
exhaust the first edition of Mr. Hett’s book and be sure to carry it with them on 
their Field Club rambles. 
Eludes stir les Four mis, les Gucpes et Us Abcilles. By M. Charles Janet, 
Limoges. 
By the courtesy of the author we have been favoured with a number 
of pamphlets mostly dealing with ants, bees, and wasps, but treating these 
insects in that delightfully fresh, varied and complete manner which is charac- 
teristic of the best traditions of French science. lie treats of their anatomy : he 
breeds them in artificial nests : he describes how other animals prey upon and 
mimic ants ; and he enumerates no less than 1,246 “ myrmecophilous ” species of 
arthropods. The introduction to his Note 14, Rapports des animaux mynnico • 
philes avec les fourmis, is of such interest to the general biologist that we append 
a translation in extenso. 
“ When one has to speak of ants and tfi,e numerous species of animals that 
live in their nests, the word hole recurs at every moment. Unfortunately, like the 
Latin word hospes, from which it is derived, it means both he who gives hospi- 
tality ( stabularius , he who lets furnished lodgings, in German IVirth) and he 
who receives it ( inquilinus , he who is lodged under the same roof, in German 
Cast, Hausbewohner and Inquilin). Here, in order to avoid as far as possible 
any confusion, I prefer to use the word kite for the animal who provides the 
lodging (stabularius, IVirth), and I avoid using it for the animal who is lodged 
( inquilinus , Cast). 
“ If one only considers as real myrmecophiles those animals which, for whatever 
reason, actually seek the society of ants and come of their own accord to live in 
