Reviews



307



OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1937


As members of Council: The Hon. Mrs. Henry Broughton and

Preb. J. E. Sweetnam in place of Dr. M. Amsler and Mr. E. J. Boosey

retired.


As Auditor : Col. A. E. Hamerton, C.M.G., D.S.O.


As Scrutineer : Dr. M. Amsler.



REVIEWS



Bird Migration. By A. Landsborough Thomson. 5s. net.

Publishers : H. F. and G. Witherby, Ltd., 326 High Holborn,

W.C. 1.


The why and wherefore of bird migration is one of the most

interesting problems in natural history, and one of the most difficult

to solve.


This little book gives a simply written account of the subject,

starting from ancient beliefs such as the supposed hibernation of

Swallows in the mud at the bottom of ponds, and later describes the

modern methods of study, marking individual birds, etc.


The directions of migration, its seasons, speed, and altitude by day

and night, with particular reference to the movements of young birds,

are carefully given in detail, and examples are cited from many parts

of the world including the Southern Hemisphere, also of the journeys

undertaken by purely tropical species.


The reasons for, and purposes of, migration and its original causes

are fully gone into, including the great question, how do migrants,

particularly young birds making the journey for the first time and

apart from their elders, find their way ?


The book is illustrated with photographs giving bird’s-eye view

of coastline, showing bird traps and the ringing of birds, etc. It also

contains maps and diagrams of “ recovery localities ” and principal

directions of migration to and from the British Isles in autumn. Those

who wish a fuller statement are referred to the author’s earlier and

larger Problems of Bird Migration , and papers published by him in

The Ibis .



E. F. C.



Songs of Wild Birds. By E. E. Nicholson and Ludwig Koch.

Published by Messrs. H. F. and G. Witherby, Ltd., 326 High

Holborn, W.C. 1.


Several attempts have been made in recent years to secure

gramophone records of the songs of birds in several countries, and

here Mr. Witherby has published the latest and most successful attempt

made by Messrs. Koch and Nicholson, working in conjunction. Their

book not only describes the songs and their singers, but includes records

of the songs themselves made from wild birds singing in freedom.



