The Birds of my Parish. By Evelyn H. Pollard. (John
Lane. 5s.)—Neither title-page nor preface informs us that this is a book intended for the young. We can, however, hardly believe that any but ehildren will appreciate this account of the birds which the author has observed in the parish of Haynford, in Norfolk. The form of humour which prompts such a sentence as : "Nobody would mind the birds having a little of the fruit, but they ' destruct ' too much," runs through the book. We have long conversations between Mr. and Mrs. Thrush and Mr. and Mrs. Caudatns (the long-tailed tits), who enter into many particulars concerning their domestic affairs. Such names as Prudence, Flirt, Smug, Coquette, Cocky, Jaunty, and Masher are given to the brood of young tits ; while the hedge. sparrow, "thoughtfully scratching his own sleek poll," advises the redbreast to try paraffin when the moulting season comes. All this sad rubbish is mixed with a short but serious account of the parish, and much careful observation of the habits of birds. The author opens the first chapter with an apology for appearing to imitate Gilbert White in writing on the ornithology of a parish, which seems " audacious " when that has been so ex- quisitely done in "The Natural History of Selborne." We are inclined to agree that some excuse for this book is needed, unless we may assume that it was written to amuse the author, and published to amuse those of tender years.
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