20 JULY 1944, Page 18

COUNTRY LIFE " THE difficulties and restrictions of war have

done very little check the activities of the Society " ; with such a sentiment op yet another volume—for it has 6o mes—of the county na history societies. Indeed some, including the Hertfordshire Society have been stimulated by the war owing to emigration of specialis from South Kensington. One of the many notes on rarer Lir increases one's wonder that the species refuses to nest with Ruffs were seen both in late spring (in company with bar-tail Godwits) and in autumn ; and one observer saw no fewer than ei on September 8th, and another four on the same date. Some of th waders seem to be increasing their range. A redshank was seen o a Hertfordshire common that is almost waterless, and the bird almost common along the Ver.