In Mrs. Grant's paper we have an epitome of a great amount of useful information. The horticultural and agricultural societies are doing a good work in publishing such papers in their reports, thus ensuring to them a wide circulation among the class who most need this kind of literature.
In that portion of her paper devoted to the 'Decrease in Bird-life,' Mrs. Grant puts her finger on some very sore spots. There can be no doubt that much harm has been done through egg-collecting by pseudo-naturalists, who make no use of their collections except to boast of their size and rarity, and who gather thousands of extra sets for purposes of exchange. Another element of bird destruction is seen in the South, where our common singing birds are so generally offered for sale in the market as food. A campaign of education is needed here. The time wasted in shooting these useful creatures would, if properly applied, produce more and better meat in the shape of domestic poultry, or other equally palatable food. We hope Mrs. Grant will continue her good work.
In Mr. Nash's paper we have another concise statement of the facts with regard to the usefulness of birds from an agricultural point of view. The case of the birds of prey is very clearly and forcibly presented. When these birds do harm—as when they pick up a stray chicken—the evil is open and apparent to everybody; but the good work they are constantly doing is only appreciated after the most careful and systematic observation. The depredations of the vast hordes of small mammals is a constant menace to the interests of husbandry, and more especially to horticulture. Without question, the Hawks and Owls are the most efficient checks upon the increase of these creatures, and it cannot be too often or too forcibly impressed upon the farmers that these birds should be rigorously protected.
With regard to the other birds, the case is equally well put, and illustrated by many interesting and valuable observations and experiments. There can be no question that this is a valuable paper, and that it deserves a wide circulation among agricultural people.
As to the merits of the illustrations with which it is embellished, there may be differences of opinion.—F. E. L. Beal.
On the Birds' Highway. By Reginald Heber Howe, Jr. With Photographic Illustrations by the Author, and a Frontispiece in color from a Painting by Louis Agassiz Fuertes.
This is a contribution to the class of literature which John Burroughs and Bradford Torrey have made so deservedly popular. It cannot, however, be said that the author has reached the standard of his prototypes. His observations were made in the Atlantic states from Virginia to Maine, and his descriptions bear evidence of sympathy with his subject. The illustrations include an admirable frontispiece of Chickadees by Louis Fuertes, thirteen full-page half-tones, for the most part illustrating the localities described, and numerous half-tone 'thumb-nail pictures' in the text, largely taken from mounted birds. Some of the latter are effective; others are too small or too indistinct to be of value to those who would need them.
An appendix gives nominal lists of the birds observed at Bristol, R. I.; Washington, D. C.; Chevy Chase, Md.; Hubbardstown, Mass., and Chateaugay Lake, N. Y.—F. M. C.
The Danger of Introducing Noxious Animals and Birds. By T. S. Palmer. Yearbook of the Department of Agriculture for 1898, pp., 87-110; 1 half-tone plate and 6 cuts in the text.
Birds as Weed Destroyers. By Sylvester D. Judd. Yearbook of the Department of Agriculture for 1898, pp., 221-232; 1 half-tone plate and 7 cuts in the text.