Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/68

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
44
THE ZOOLOGIST.

usually about 57°." Hence the Rainbow is doomed if placed in cold waters, escaping from them if possible, but if not, gradually dying off. "Probably it will never stand a chance north of Yorkshire, even if it should do well in selected waters in that county."

A bad report is given for Herons and Kingfishers who exist near rearing ponds. We read:—"I have often seen Herons fishing on Trout streams, and have seen Kingfishers catching Trout fry. There are only two courses open to the fish-culturist, to protect his ponds or kill the birds. I believe it best to protect the ponds first, and kill the birds afterwards."

This is an excellent little monograph of a fish, with directions for its acclimatization and breeding. It is thorough and yet concise, occupying but sixty-four pages, with a bibliography and sufficient illustration.


Our Rarer British Breeding Birds. By R. Kearton, F.Z.S.Cassell & Co., Limited.

We now quite expect an annual volume from Mr. Kearton, with fresh revelations by the camera, for he knows not only how to photograph, but what to photograph. This little volume, we are told, is to be regarded as a supplement to a former work on "British Birds" Nests, &c.; and we scarcely require to be reminded that the journeying to and fro to photograph the nests, eggs, or breeding-places of our rarer birds entails an inroad on time and space which is far from being inconsiderable.

These volumes can be made to advocate a main thesis—the photographer rather than the collector, the camera versus the gun. By the aid of these illustrations, we live with the birds and see the nests in situ. We do not come home with a skin and a few blown eggs, but bring back nature in our portfolio. When colour photography comes into the possession of science, then indeed shall we estimate what is really assimilative colouration in nature, and not have to rely on forensic argument based on cabinet specimens. By the aid of the camera we shall in the future understand the superficial method of organic evolution, and when we are able to photograph aquatic life well beneath the surface, in colour as well as detail—which is only a matter of