16 T'H"E ASU; D UB ON Go Use re ieee 
his birds are exquisitely portrayed. It is hard to choose favorites among 
so many lovely pictures, but mention might be made of several that es- 
pecially appeal to the reviewer: the little blue herons, pileated wood- 
peckers, kingfishers, ruby-crowned kinglets in rhododendron, and Kentucky 
warblers nesting under a jack-in-the-pulpit. 
There are 13 full-page plates in black and white and a great many 
charming drawings of flowers, insects, birds, etc., scattered throughout the 
text, but not mentioned therein. It would have added much to the value 
of the book if these had been named and the same is true of the plants in 
the plates. Each color plate is labeled on the back, from seven to 10 lines 
giving a brief description of size, plumage, and habits. It would have been 
better if a fuller account of each species had been placed opposite the 
picture. 
The 12 chapters of text are pleasant, rambling chats about the Mena- 
bonis’ varied experiences with birds in their woods, their aviary, and their 
home. Tenderest ‘caré is lavished on all creatures that come into their 
hands and they do not mind that birds seldom can be house-trained. “Fur- 
nishings could be cleaned or replaced, but nothing could ever replace the 
fun and additional data we got from Joseph (a sparrow hawk) until we 
released him.” It is sad to think of the vulnerability of Valle Ombrosa to 
woods fires, carelessly or deliberately set. And sad to read how in Georgia, 
as elsewhere in this country, wonderful great woods, flowering shrubs, 
and wild flowers are ruthlessly destroyed to prepare land for home-sites. 
Menaboni’s Birds will make a handsome Christmas present. With its 
wonderful pictures and its earnest message of love for wildlife it will bring 
to many people a new awareness of the treasures in nature. 
Margaret M. Nice, 5725 S. Harper Ave., Chicago 
THE ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIETY, 
organized for the protection of wild birdlife, invites the attention 
of all interested in such work to the unusual opportunities the 
present time offers to advance the cause of bird protection. Work 
of this kind is receiving increasing approval on the part of the 
general public because of the growing appreciation of the impor- 
tant part birds play in protecting grain and other food products 
from the attacks of insectivorous pests. 
The Society maintains an office at the Chicago Natural History 
Museum, Roosevelt Road and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago 5, where 
literature and information may be obtained, and where public 
lectures are held. Your support as a member is earnestly 
solicited. Membership fees are as follows: 
ACTIVE MEMBERS ............ $2.00 annually 
CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS...... $5.00 annually 
LIFE MEMBERS ......... a oe Sa ae e $100.00 
Press of Physicians’ Record Co., Chicago § 
