Welsh Journals

GILLHAM, MARY E. (1956). Ecology of the Pembrokeshire Islands V. Manuring by the Colonial Seabirds and Mammals, with a note on seed distribution by Gulls. Journ. Ecol. 44. No. 2 429-454. This is Dr. Gillham's fifth paper in her valuable and interesting work on the ecology of these islands, particularly Skokholm, which must be one of the most exhaustively studied small islands in the world. Deposition of guano is one of the most influential habitat factors in the bird colonies, selecting towards a similar flora in divergent areas, but rabbit pellets are less important to the soil nutrient than those of the introduced Soay sheep. Intense deposi- tion of guano eliminates vegetation the places without the camp, to which thou mayest go for the necessities of nature (Deuteronomy XXIII) are listed for each sea-bird and the effects on vegetation described. Mr. H. Dickinson's discovery, during his investigation of 300-400 puffin burrows, of special defaecation chambers or lavatories 30-60 c.m. inside the burrow is highly interesting although use is also freely made of the standing ground outside the burrows. Gulls feeding on the mainland are agents in the transport of seeds to the islands, including oats, wheat and barley which often grow substantially (as we have seen on St. Margaret's Island, for example) where protected from grazing mammals. (R.M.L.) Michael O'RUADHAIN (1956). The Position of Nature Protection in Ireland in 1956. Irish. Nat. Journ. XII. 81-104. This is a long paper setting out very fully the position in a country which has many fine natural areas suitable for nature reserves but none actually established (as defined by the London Convention of 1933 human circulation limited to students). A valuable statement which calls attention to the importance of nature conservation to the economy of the whole of that island and the need for some such organisation as our Nature Conservancy, which operates only in England, Wales and Scotland. (R.M.L.) BOOK REVIEWS THE RABBIT. H. V. THOMPSON and A. N. WORDEN. Collins, London. 1956. 16s. Few animals can have been the subject of more discussion, often ill-informed, than the rabbit, and the publication of the New Naturalist monograph on the rabbit is, therefore, more than usually welcome. West Wales is frequently mentioned; much research has been carried out there. Because of its use as an experimental animal and of its effect upon agriculture, a great deal of scientific literature exists on the rabbit's anatomy and its habits. This probably makes the task of