The Zoologist/3rd series, vol 1 (1877)/Issue 1/Notices of New Books
NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.
We note with satisfaction the appearance of another part of the new edition of this standard work, the issue of which is steadily, although, we regret to say, slowly progressing. In some measure, no doubt, the advancement of the work has been retarded by reason of the great labour entailed in satisfactorily working out the small passerine birds, especially in the case of such difficult groups as the Wagtails, Pipits, and Linnets, where a nice discrimination of species and a careful comparison of authorities on the subject of geographical distribution has obviously necessitated a vast expenditure of time and trouble. Now that the Editor has almost completed this troublesome portion of the work, we may hopefully look for a more rapid issue of succeeding parts.
On glancing through the number before us, we find that much new matter has been introduced, even in the case of very common species. It would scarcely have been supposed that so universally distributed a bird as the common House Sparrow could be anywhere unknown in England, and yet we find the observation (at p. 94, note) that Mr. Rowe states that at Shepstor, a moorland village in Devon, the Sparrow is never seen. The Editor adds that this is the sole exception to its universal distribution in England known to him.
Throughout the whole of the palæarctic region this ubiquitous bird has been found, penetrating Siberia, and extending its range across the Asiatic continent as far northward as lat. 61° N., and as far to the east as the confluence of the Shilka and Argun. If the Sparrow of India be not a distinct species, as we believe it is not, we may trace our old friend from Yarkand to Siam and Ceylon. Unable, apparently, to thrive anywhere away from human habitation, "it keeps extending its area as desert countries are settled by man, being dependent on him for its living." "Thus," says Professor Newton, "the questions are opened whether it should not be regarded as a parasite throughout the greater part of its present range, and what should be deemed its native country. These are points which seem never to have been discussed, but for all that are none the less worthy of consideration."
The Hawfinch, so long described by ornithologists as an accidental visitor, is now known to inhabit various parts of England in considerable numbers, and is believed to be increasing year by year (p. 98). The seed of the hornbeam is said to be a favourite morsel with this bird, "but it also feeds on the kernels of haws, laurels, plums and other stone-fruits, and in summer makes great havock amongst green pease" (p. 99).
The Serin Finch, not mentioned in previous editions of the present work, is now included and figured; the increased attention bestowed on Ornithology having resulted in its detection in various parts of the South of England.
The remarks on the nesting of the Siskin deserve careful perusal, and various interesting notes on the local names of birds and their derivation, which are scattered throughout this number, cannot fail to be acceptable to ornithologists.
On taking up this pamphlet, the first thing that strikes us is the obvious inconvenience which results from publishing an Appendix in a larger form than the volume which it is intended to supplement, the original publication being a small post and the present addition a demy octavo. The two consequently cannot be bound together. Saving this objection, the new pages bear testimony to the interest which is taken in one at least of our public schools in the subject of Natural History, and to the progress which is being made in a particular branch of it.
We are glad to see that the objections which we pointed out to the systematic arrangement adopted by Mr. Im Thurn in his earlier production have since received his consideration and concurrence, and that he now admits the inconvenience which has been found to arise from it. He says:—
"I now think that the plan is useless, and only serves to confuse the reader. If it is adopted in a history of the birds of a district, it should at least be accompanied by a synoptic list of the whole of the birds in their proper order. I now hold this view so strongly that I take the present opportunity to give such a list, in which will be found the names of all the birds which we know to have occurred within a district extending for eight miles round Marlborough."
The reasons for fixing this limit will be found in the preface to the earlier publication.
The new species which have been added to the list since 1870 are the Hen Harrier, Whimbrel, Spotted Crake, Pintailed Duck, Scaup, Common Scoter, Shag and Little Gull, almost all of which are inserted on the strength of a single occurrence, while the majority of them can only be regarded as purely accidental visitants to the district.
We have not space to criticise the list in detail, but we may observe that some of the author's corrections of former statements are not improvements. For example, the Hobby, formerly regarded as an occasional visitor, is now marked as "a resident, though a scarce one," whereas it would have been more accurately described as a summer migrant. The Merlin has been transferred from the occasional visitors to the residents, while there can be no doubt that, as regards the South of England, its place is amongst the winter visitants.
Notwithstanding the new paragraph from the 'Marlborough Times' anent the Curlew nesting on Aldbourne Downs, we are still sceptical on the subject, and cannot doubt that the species referred to is the Stone Curlew or Thick-knee. The true Curlew (Numenius arquata), in all probability, only occurs on passage.
In an octavo pamphlet of ninety-six pages Captain Nares has given a brief but clear account of all that befell the crews of the 'Alert' and 'Discovery' on their recent Expedition, from the date of their leaving Upernavick in July, 1875, until their arrival home in October, 1876.
Notwithstanding the extreme interest which attaches to this Report, and which, in its handy and accessible form, should be read in extenso by everyone, it would be beyond our province to deal with any but the zoological portion of it, and to this therefore we confine attention.
Of course, in a general report such as this is, we do not expect to find the details which are most likely to interest readers of 'The Zoologist,' for these are reserved for publication in the special Report of the Naturalists to the Expedition. At page 47, the Commander of the Expedition, paying a well-deserved compliment to Captain Feilden, says:—
"I have not hitherto alluded to the services of Capt. Feilden, Paymaster R.A., Naturalist to the Expedition, preferring that the Report on the numerous scientific subjects to which he has directed his attention should emanate from himself; I will merely state here that no one moment has been lost by this indefatigable collector and observer. He has, moreover, by his genial and ready help on all occasions, won the friendship of all, and I feel confident that their Lordships will highly appreciate his valuable services. I am only doing him justice when I state that he has been to this Expedition what Sabine was to that under Sir Edward Parry."
This is good news for naturalists, and we look forward with pleasurable expectations to the appearance of Capt. Feilden's own account of his labours.
Meantime, on glancing through the Report before us, we do not fail to notice the occasional allusions which are made to the game and wild-fowl procured en route by the officers and crews of both vessels. In the neighbourhood of Hayes Sound the sportsmen discovered a richly vegetated valley, with numerous traces of Musk Oxen and other game (p. 10). Walrus Shoal, off Franklin Pierce Bay, and a mile to the eastward of Norman Lockyer Island, was so named from the numerous remains of Esquimaux found on the island, who, to judge by the number of bones lying about, had evidently subsisted principally on these animals. At present this neighbourhood may be considered as the northern limit of their migration, only a very few having been seen further to the north (p. 16).
"On entering Discovery Harbour," says Capt. Nares (p. 24), "we had the satisfaction of sighting a herd of nine Musk Oxen, all of which were killed; our joy at the good luck being greatly increased by the news that the vegetation was considerably richer than that of any part of the coast visited by us north of Port Foulke, the Elysium of the Arctic regions."
Here the 'Discovery' made her winter quarters, and the 'Alert' pushed onward alone. The winter quarters of the latter vessel were established off Cape Sheridan, in the highest northern latitude ever yet reached by a ship. Capt. Nares' account of the situation, and of the long arctic winter, with its unparalleled intensity and duration of darkness for one hundred and forty-two days, is engrossing in the extreme.
The vicinity of the winter quarters of the 'Alert' "proved to be unfavoured by game."
"On our first arrival," says Capt. Nares (p. 48), "a few Ducks were seen and five shot; and during the winter and spring three Hares were shot in the neighbourhood of the ship. This completes our list up to the end of May. In March a Wolf suddenly made his appearance; and the same day the track of three Musk Oxen or Reindeer were seen within two miles of the ship, but they had evidently only paid us a flying visit.
"In July six Musk Oxen were shot, the only ones seen in our neighbourhood. The travelling parties were only slightly more fortunate in obtaining game.
"In June a few Ptarmigan, Ducks, and Geese were shot, and used by the sick. In July and August they obtained a ration of fresh meat daily.
"In March and the beginning of April about two dozen Ptarmigan passed the ship, flying towards the N.W. in pairs: finding no vegetation uncovered by snow in our neighbourhood, they flew on, seeking better feeding grounds, and were nearly all shot subsequently by the outlying parties near Cape Joseph Henry. In the middle of May, Snow Buntings and Knots arrived. A number of the young of the latter were killed in July, but no nests or eggs were found. Early in June, Ducks and Geese passed, in small flocks of about a dozen, flying towards the N.W., but owing to a heavy fall of snow, lasting three days, which covered the land more completely than at any other time during our stay, at least half the number returned to the southward, not pleased with their prospects so far north.
"Two dozen small Trout were caught during the autumn and summer in lakes from which they could not possibly escape to the sea.
"The total game list for the neighbourhood of the 'Alert's' winter quarters is as follows: —
"In winter quarters—Musk Oxen, 6; Hares, 7; Geese, 67; King Ducks, 12; Longtailed Ducks, 9; Seal, 1; Foxes, 3.
"By short service sledging parties—Hares, 13; Geese, 3; King Ducks, 5; Ptarmigan, 10.
"Total—Musk Oxen, 6; Hares, 20; Geese, 70; King Ducks, 17; Longtailed Ducks, 9; Ptarmigan, 10; Seal, 1; and Foxes, 3."
At the lakes in the neighbourhood of Cape Beechy, on the voyage home (August 4th) a number of Geese were found, all unable to fly; the old ones moulting were nearly all featherless, and the young ones, although well-grown, were yet unfledged. Fifty-seven were captured (p. 77).
The species of Goose is not named, but in all probability it was the Brent. On this, however, as well as on many other points of interest, we shall no doubt be duly enlightened in the forthcoming special Report of the Naturalists to the Expedition.