30 JANUARY 1915, Page 36

The reckless slaughter of birds and beasts which has long

been permitted in the United States is now recognized as an economic folly, and commendable efforts are being made to preserve the wild life of that great country. Painful experience has taught the farmer that it is a dangerous thing to upset the balance of animate nature, and that the exter- mination of birds is followed by a plague of insect pests. A. very interesting book on Wild Life Conservation its Theory and Practice (Humphrey Milford, for the Yale University Press, 6s. 6d. net) embodies a course of lectures on We important subject delivered before the Forest School of Yale University by Dr. William T. Hornaday, with an additional chapter on "Private Game Preserves" by Frederic C. Walcott.