Welsh Journals

World's Bird Species" (a sub-title) the user would need plenty of time and money for travel to do the book real justice from that viewpoint. Some 8,700 species are included and it is fascinating to be able, for instance, to look up our own Dunnock on page 1 1 to learn that it occurs in group of 13 recorded species in the family Prunellidae and that it occurs in the Palearctic and the Australasian faunal regions. The Ruddy Duck, on page 13, is however a little ahead of the book, for it is only shown as occuring in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions and we know that it is now breeding in a feral state in Britain (Palearctic). The endpapers show the major faunal regions which are coded and listed alongside the scientific and English common name for each species, with an additional listing of sources to which the reader is referred for further information about the birds. A bibliography and indices covering generic and English names are included. The presentation is very workable. Despite lack of illustrations this scholarly work is compelling. One feels obliged to search the pages and, in so doing, one learns a great deal, and perhaps dreams of travel in the several faunal regions. A 'must' for the serious worker with distant horizons attainable or otherwise! J. W. D. British Birds is the only monthly journal devoted to field studies of the birds of the British Isles and western Europe. Each issue contains plates by leading bird photographers. Prospectus from 61/62 Watling Street, London, EC4. Bardsey bland. Visit Wales's only Bird Observatory at the same charges as 1976. In 1977 the Observatory is open again to visitors from March to November. Sample its exciting migrants, nesting sea birds and choughs. Details from Mrs. H. Bond, 21 Gestridge, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, Devon.