19 MARCH 1932, Page 14

SAXON AND Lynx.

A very whole-hearted tribute to British delight in Nature lore is paid by two French novelists in a letter to M. Delamain, who is the most charming, and charmed, of all living writers on birds. The letter (by Jechine and Jean 'Maraud) is printed as a preface to M. Delamain's book, Why Birds Sing (Gollanez, 7s. 6d.). They say, in a passage that suggests much food for thought : " The Anglo-Saxon race—and in a more general fashion, the Protestant races, are infinitely more interested in all this winged world than the Catholic Latins.

. . Therefore I am not surprised that he (St. Francis of Assisi) should be about the only one of the Saints to have captivated the Protestant mind, and that one of his best historians should be a Huguenot." With marvellous in- genuousness they go on to announce their discovery, of a French writer on birds. His name, they proclaim, is Audubon !—Audubon, the classic, whose works are to be found in almost every old country house in England, who has been republished and quoted illimitably in several con- tinents for many generations !