Review



169



REVIEW


ISLAND LIFE


Skokholm is one of three or four small islands situated just off the

coast of Pembrokeshire, washed by the Atlantic and often unapproach¬

able for days together when the sea is unkind. It is the home of Choughs

and Ravens, Puffins, Shearwaters, Guillemots, Kazorbills, and Stormy

Petrels, not to mention seals and rabbits. In spring and autumn it

is the resting-place of many migrants. Once thoroughly farmed, it

had been left untilled for years, until in fact its present owner discovered

and acquired it. Its house was restored, a garden formed, and now the

owner, his wife, and baby daughter find it a fascinating home. It would

not perhaps be everybody’s choice, but the owner and his wife, being

true naturalists, find the life there all they could wish.


In Island Life (H. F. & G. Witherby, Is. 6 d. net) Mr. Lockley

describes this life with great charm, while his wife’s sketches, the work

of no mean artist, add greatly to its value, as do a fine series of

photographs. This is a sequel to a former book by the same author

entitled Bream Days , which those who read the sequel will wish to obtain

also. We can only say that Island Days will give those who read it

a few hours of very great enjoyment, especially if they possess a love

of wild nature.



OBITUARY


GERARD HUDSON GURNEY


It is with deep regret that we have to record the death of Mr. Gerard

Gurney, of Keswick Hall, Norwich, which took place there on 18th May.


Mr. Gurney was an enthusiastic and successful aviculturist and

a very good all-round ornithologist as his father and grandfather had

been before him. His grandfather had a world-wide knowledge of the

raptorial birds and founded the wonderful collection of Birds of Prey

in the Norwich Museum, while his father, who died in 1922, was the

greatest authority on the Birds of the Eastern Counties.



