Welsh Journals

writing a book for the general reader much harder, and the authors are to be congratulated on presenting a mass of scientific detail in a form that makes excellent reading for the amateur animal watcher. The publication could well be termed The Handbook of The Rabbit. The authors are equally lucid when explaining the implications of statistics as when offering such severely practical advice in a section on Snaring The reader is unlikely to catch many rabbits merely by following these directions snaring is best learnt by watching someone who is adept." The Appendix on Legal Aspects is particularly helpful. In spite of many years spent in areas where rabbits were common, the amount I learnt about the behaviour of rabbits from this book surprised me, and I think that most other readers will have a similar experience. This book is a must have for anyone interested in small wild mammals. A.L.J. THE TECHNIQUE OF BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY. JOHN WARHAM. Focal Press, London. 1956. 25s. In this lucid and highly readable book the author (who has photographed a good deal in Wales) begins by insisting on putting the interests of the bird before the needs of photography, and stresses the value of the art in making man aware of the need for protecting birds. Very true. Some of the sketches showing how to prepare a nest to be photographed look formidable, what with gardening and other artificial aids, plus succour to the exposed young, but we are assured that all can be done without grievous harm if the author's advice is followed. This is certainly one of the best books on bird photography by one whose work is as perfect as any we have seen. Recommended for the beginner, as well as the expert, it includes flashlight and electronic photography. There is even a chapter for those who will be photographing in the hard light of the tropics. At the end of the book a selection of common birds is listed, with useful details of when and at what distance and ex- posures they are best photographed. V.A.P. THE TAMING OF GENGHIS. Ronald STEVENS. Faber and Faber, London. 1956. 12s. 6d. The author, who lived at Walcot Hall, on the Welsh border, so long, probably knows every falcon's eyrie in Wales, and one begins with an immense respect for a man who is such an authority on falconry. That respect is upheld by this book. No one who read Mr. Stevens' earlier book Laggard could have failed to be a little disappointed that in his journey to Iceland he was not success- ful in catching a gyr-falcon. The training of a gyr was so obviously a major ambition that the story of it in his delightfully descriptive