3 JULY 1926, Page 26

A NATURALIST'S PILGRIMAGE. By Richard Kearton:

(Cassell. 7s. 6d. net.)

MR. KEARTON'S reminiscences are told with delightful sim- plicity. Perhaps his profession as a lecturer on natural history has made him alert to the value- of straightforward and colloquial speech. No doubt, too, he took some of the good, fresh earth into his nature from his youth on a farm in York- shire. However that may be, the writing is always vivid and natural. The account of his early days is the most interesting part of his book. He gives an excellent picture of the gruff and hearty peasantry of his childhood, and his remarks upon sheep-washing, trout-tickling, drain-digging and such matter&

pre full of life and vigour. But the whole book is excellent, crowded with anecdotes and pieces of quick observation. •