Field and General Ornithology. By Elliott COUOB. (Macmillan and Co.)—This
is abridged from Professor Coues's "Key to North American Birds," and adapted to suit British naturalists, anti treats in two parts of " field" ornithology and general ornithology, such as the structure and classification of birds. The advice on collecting and preserving birds is of the soundest and clearest nature, and the exhaustive treatment of the biological and anatomical sections, the muscular and nervous system, and also the exterior parts of birds, the feathers, the wings, legs, and beak, is thorough without being dry. The book is plentifully illustrated, we may add. Pro- fessor Cones knows how to add interest to a naturally fascinating
study, and his enthusiasm is not the least of the qualities which make his work a standard ono. The procedure he recommends as to the securing of specimens is somewhat wholesale, fifty or a hun- dred specimens of the same species may be necessary. He repro- bates unnecessary slaughter ; but a "field" ornithologist of the wholesale type, with the argument of science on his side, which he believes to be unimpeachable, is more to be dreaded than the ardent sportsman.
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