A WALK THROUGH THE "ZOO."
A Walk Through the Zoological. Gardens. By F. G. Atialo, F.Z.S. Illustrated. (Sands and Co. 3s. 6d.)—Mr. Aflalo has an extensive acquaintance with the ways ot animals, both birds, beasts, and fish. His editing and contributions to the " Encyclo- pEedist of Sports" have aided in giving a much-needed addition to the country house library. The handy guide to the "Zoo' now published by the same author is an itinerary,- equipped with which a visitor can enter the gate on the east side from Regent's Park, and learn something about -every kind of bird and beast which he is likely to encounter. The illustrations are Many and good, and are fairly apportioned among birds, beasts, rep- tiles, and insects. The introductory chapter, explaining the management of the Gardens, and the divers ways in which tho animals reach the menagerie, includes most of the ,current history of ths collection. The difficulty of choice. between. repeating what is trite and omitting what is characteristic in short comments on the various animals has not always-been stir- mounted, and it would be easy to criticise such .statements as that the beaver chooses the hardest wood which it can find on . which to wear down its teeth, or that pelicans "pose" because they are vain. Beavers cut down the easiest trees-to gnaw first, and do not attack the larger and harder trees till they have - cleared off the softer ones, and pelicans " pose " to _dry their. wing feathers. But the circuit of the Gardens is complete, and the author's. remarks in nearly every case are interesting and suggestive. In condemning the present parrot house he points to one of the few thoroughly unsatisfactory divisions of the menagerie.
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