Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/404

372 seen one alight in the middle of my canoe and peck away at the carcase of a beaver I had skinned. They often spoil deer saddles by pecking into them near the kidneys. They do great damage to the trappers by stealing the bait from traps set for Martens and Minks, and by eating trapped game, &c."

'Bird Neighbours' is written by a lover of birds, and will increase that love in others who may consult its pages. We must not expect to find science everywhere, but nature is universal; and he who has learnt to love the last will almost inevitably seek the first.

volume is devoted to the avifauna of the district of Montreal. The area covered by the work "is principally the island of Montreal, situated at the confluence of the Ottawa with the St. Laurence River, thirty-two miles long by about ten miles broad at the widest part." It is the centre of attraction for a large number of North American birds during the migratory periods in the spring and fall, and many species remain to breed. Two hundred and fifty-four birds are enumerated, arranged in a somewhat unfamiliar classification, commencing with the Podicipidæ (Grebes) and terminating with the Turdidæ. The first part is devoted to an enumeration, with bionomical notes; the second part consists of "abridged descriptions" of the species. The last portion of the volume consists of "Original Sporting Sketches" by various authors.

The book is naturally of local interest in the first place; but is also valuable for material in the study of avian geographical distribution. A few plates are given, but these are of a somewhat primitive description, recalling those in old works of travel.

The preface is dated 1896; but the volume has only just reached our hands.