Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/308

280 in our own country, while it is able to supply an actual want in the Colonies, where the Pheasant will certainly join his emigrant preservers. What is required there is a thorough knowledge of home methods as to breeding and preserving, qualified by adaptation to local conditions, and preservation from the attacks of foreign "vermin."

A wide margin of selection is possible, as the chapters on "Pheasants adapted to the Covert" amply testify, and the birds described therein are beautifully illustrated. But the illustrative charm is to be found in the vignettes, which represent many mutilations and distortions interesting to the zoologist, and "still" game which will not, as is often the case, appal the critical eyes of the experienced sportsman.

volume is a souvenir of the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. The Congress on Ornithology was decided on rather late, and but a few weeks elapsed 'between the formation of the Committee and the actual session of the Congress. The design of the Committee was "to have the Congress treat of birds from the standpoint of the scientist, the economist, and the humanitarian," and the last position has certainly been well represented.

The Presidential Address of Dr. Elliott Coues is a most interesting ornithological contribution, and reminds one very much of a compressed analogy to some of the letters in the 'Introduction to Entomology' by Kirby and Spence, for it details with much freshness the many benefits and the fewer injuries derived from birds.Dr. Coues emphasizes the fact of their beneficial qualities by a very practical remark, and one which to-day possesses as much force in England as in America. "The usefulness of birds as insecticides is measurable in money—and that is something everybody can understand."

A very suggestive paper entitled "Hints at the Kinship and History of Birds as shown by their Eggs" is contributed by Mr.