Wild Life in Australia. By W. H. Dudley Le Sorra
(Whit- combe and Tombs. 7s. 6d.)—Mr. Le Solid is the Director of the Zoological Gardens, Melbourne, and this book contains the story of several expeditions to different parts of Australia, but is, of course, entirely devoted to the observation of the wild creatures and remarks on their habits. We are often reminded of Frank Buckland by Mr. Le Souef's wealth of illustration and gift of lucid expression. He has not, perhaps, the humour so inseparably connected with the personality and writings of Buckland, but one is struck by the same power of observation, a sort of double sight which enables the born naturalist to see and understand so much that to the average man is visible and yet not obvious. Australia is famous for her birds, and most of the hundred and seventy excellent photographs are devoted to them. Nor can the birds complain of the lack of distinction in the names allotted to them. The settler's imagination, stimulated by the weirdness and mystery of the continent, has given even beautiful, as well as quaint, names to some. The "Twelve Apostles" bird is peculiar ; but the shining starling and the singing honey-eater are both expressive and poetical. We have no doubt Wild Life in Australia will recall their wanderings to old travellers, and also furnish a pleasant guide and introduction to the life of the bush and the ranges.
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