The Zoologist/4th series, vol 5 (1901)/Issue 724/Notices of New Books
NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.
Readers of 'The Zoologist' require no introduction to Mr. Selous. He practically inaugurated a new method of field observation by his "Observational Diary of the Habits of Nightjars," &c., in our volume for 1899. This paper is not included in the volume under notice, but it contains a wealth of information relating to other birds which is in the truest sense original. The time is now fast approaching when ornithological field work—in this country—will no longer be conducted only with the gun. We have abundantly seen what the camera will do; Mr. Selous has now told us how to work with the field-glass. We shall give no extracts from this book, which demands the perusal of ornithologists; but we shall consider its main thesis, for, apart from observations, it is a book with a motive. That motive is the sanctity of bird-life—applicable, of course, to other living creatures.
To Mr. Selous our "zoologists" have been "thanatologists." "Had we as often stalked animals in order to observe them, as we have in order to kill them, how much richer might be our knowledge!" We believe this to be unanswerable, and the writer of this notice must admit that many of the very happiest days of his life passed in procuring specimens are now regarded with very grave suspicion. But we must not exaggerate this emotion. If it is unnecessary to kill for study—and we do not say that in very many cases it is not—it is equally true that it must be wrong to kill for sport,[1] and by sport the fish must be equally regarded as the bird. The table, as well as the museum, is the culprit. We really enjoyed that piece of Salmon, though it was not necessary to our existence; the unfortunate Lobster created no reminiscence of his awful death when we ate it at a late breakfast; and we are still sufficiently unregenerate to hope that those who have the accident in opportunity to shoot will remember us in the autumn. But this does not invalidate the argument of Mr. Selous, and let us remember that the evolution of ethics has been very slow, and is still going on; while that we have moral obligations to other animals than ourselves is a fact only dawning as a revelation. The prophet and reformer must be always in advance of their times, and possibly this is a mark of their true vocation.
Mr. Slater has made good use of his visits to Ultima Thule by collecting the material for this Manual. He prefaces his small volume with some valuable hints as to the pronunciation of Icelandic names, and remarks that "many of us seem to consider ourselves entitled to be a law unto ourselves in the manner of the pronunciation and spelling of foreign names and words." A remonstrance on this point will probably always apply, but even some may ask with reference to English words why Mr. Slater spells the name of the Duck generally known as "Shoveler" with a double l? The "Bibliography" is a specially welcome feature, and some of the books are recommended "as likely to be useful." We are quite sure that Mr. Slater's book now under notice supplies a want, and will be more than useful; but all books must be studied by and for themselves. Many an out-of-the-way record is frequently found, and found only, in a decidedly bad book.
Those who take an interest in the advancing science of folklore will find a subject of much interest in Mr. Slater's account of the Cuckoo, "which has never been known to occur in Iceland; and yet few Icelanders will be ignorant (they almost universally have a literary turn) of the Icelandic name of the Cuckoo—Gaukr, which is Eddaic, and yet, though the bird is non-existent in Iceland, well known to-day." One of the most entertaining narratives is that connected with the Northern 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.
Some 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.
- ↑ The newspapers have recently recorded that the Mackintosh of Mackintosh has broken the record for a day's Grouse-driving in Scotland, he and his friends having killed more than nine hundred brace in Inverness-shire.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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