Current Literature
NATURE BY DAY -
By Arthur R. Thompson - Mr. Thompson's Nature lay Day (Nicholson and Watson, 12s. 6d.) is a succinct account in broad detail of the various species of British fauna which can be observed in the daytime. Two-thirds of the book is devoted to birds considered accotding to their habitat, and the remainder to mammals, reptiles, a few fishes (excluding, however, the trout), butterflies and moths, and other diurnal invertebrates. The volume is a useful working outline for the young naturalist; and a vast amount of first-hand information, illustrated by many admirable photographs, is crammed into its 158 pages. This necessarily brief treatment entails a certain measure of dogmatism, but most Observers would hardly agree that terns' eggs" are difficult to find," nor that the cuckoo " bears considerable resemblance to the kestrel." Would it not be nearer the truth to say that the resemblance is rather to the sparrowhawk; into which; according to certain old- fashioned country-folk, the cuckoo turns during the winter- time ? Nor can it be quite agreed that " as a breeding species the eider is uncommon." The bird nests in many places from the Fames up to the north of Scotland. The author's attitude to noxious fauna (if any can be so described) is nicely balanced: -'be believes that the stoat- does more good than harm, but he would exterminate that American interloper, the grey squirrel. Mr. Thompson notes that " there is more real interest in wild life to-day," and such books as his do much to further it.
Previous page
