Author of “Birds of the Countryside,” etc.

Mr. Frank Finn is well known as one of our chief authorities on all that concerns bird-life. Those who are familiar with his books are aware that he has made it a practice only to write from personal observation. His studies extend over many years, in the course of which he has noted a vast number of facts relating to the habits of birds. “Bird Behaviour,” the subject of his new book, has never before received serious attention, but it is one in which Mr. Finn is thoroughly at home. Some of the points treated in the volume relate to the locomotion of birds, their nutrition and the reasons for their choice of particular foods—the care of the young, nests, migration, senses of smell and sight. Their temper and intelligence, their songs and cries, and the possibility of understanding their language—Their weapons and mode of fighting—The storage of food, their pastimes, plumage and indeed practically every subject that can come within the scope of the title of this most interesting and valuable book is treated by the author.

INSECT ARTISANS AND THEIR WORK

By EDWARD STEP, F.L.S.

Author of “Messmates,” “Toadstools and Mushrooms of the Countryside,” etc.

From quite early days in the study of Entomology it has been generally known that certain Insects in the perfection of their industry might almost be accepted as the prototypes of the human artificer. Thus, the wasp was taken as the first paper-maker, a certain wild bee as a mason, and another bee as a carpenter. Most of the examples described will be quite new to the general reader for whom the work is intended; and the precision and ingenuity displayed is in many cases absolutely startling.

VOLUMES ALREADY PUBLISHED

The Courtship of Animals2nd Edition
By W. P. PYCRAFT, A.L.S., F.Z.S., Zoological Department, British Museum.
Author of “A History of Birds,” “Story of Reptile Life,” etc,
With 40 plates on art paper
Messmates: A Book of Strange CompanionshipsBY EDWARD STEP, F.L.S.
With 64 Illustrations from photographs on art paper
The Infancy of AnimalsBy W. P. PYCRAFT, A.L.S., F.Z.S
With numerous Illustrations on art paper

HUTCHINSON’S

History of the Nations