Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/424

396 Wren (Troglodytes borealis); but we must here have a parting grumble, for when Mr. Slater remarks of a specimen which slipped down a crevasse, and "appeared to go straight down to New Zealand, or somewhere even warmer," he is infringing on our privileges. These jokes cannot be used by the Rector, but belong undeniably to we of the laity. This is one of those little books that will eventually be found on most shelves, and be frequently consulted.

of the contents of this volume have already been published in these pages, and the book is devoted to our three British snakes—Tropidonotus natrix, the Ring-Snake; Coronella austriaca, the Smooth Snake; and Vipera berus, the Adder. Dr. Leighton has diligently collected all the available information procurable by him relating to these reptiles, and has thus produced an excellent contribution to a complete knowledge of the subject. A very large part of the book is devoted to the Adder, and much useful information is given as to its variation in colouration, which does not appear to be of a local or environmental character. Then we come to that ever recurrent question—does the female Adder swallow her young? Dr. Leighton has, in stating the case for both sides, evidently incurred misrepresentation as an advocate for the swallowing theory; but this cannot be maintained. He certainly does not deny it, but holds the agnostic position, which is one that is generally misunderstood on any subject. However, a reward has been offered for any single authenticated record of this much reported occurrence, and that reward has never yet been claimed. The position of "doubting Thomas" is therefore a very wise one on this question.

The section relating to the distribution of these three species in Britain is a piece of good work, well done, and an appendix affords the reader an excellent opportunity to fill in his own observational log-book respecting the three species. The illustrations are ample, and a portrait of that sylvan celebrity who rejoices in the appellation of "Brusher Mills" is also given.