Welsh Journals

BOOK REVIEWS Atlas of Ferns of the British Isles: A CJermy, H R Arnold, Lynne Farrell & F H Perring (Editors): The Botanical Society of the British Isles & British Pteridological Society, London, 1978. This is the first of a series of revisions of the Atlas of the British Flora (1962) by parts in which 62 taxa of ferns and their allies (Pteridophtay) were mapped. In the Atlas of Ferns the post-1950 distribution of 104 taxa is shown, the increase being due to the inclusion of hybrids and subspecies and the splitting of Common Polypody (Polypodium vulgare agg.) into three species and three hybrids. Nomenclature follows Flora Europaea (1964) and this has resulted in changes in the arrangement of genera but, except in the clubmosses, fortunately there have been few changes of names. Comparison of the maps in the two Atlases shows that the geogrphical distributions were broadly covered in the earlier work. The Atlas of Ferns fills many gaps rather than extends ranges to an appreciable extent and Wales has benefited as much as any other region. The maps in the Atlas of the British Flora show records up to 1960; unfortunately the closing date for the Atlas of Ferns is not given but was probably 1975. A C Jermy's com- ments beneath each map on distribution and habitat are a valuable con- tribution to this excellent work. Many botanists would have preferred to have had the maps on the same scale as those in the Atlas of the British Flora so that its overlays for vice-counties, altitude, chalk and limestone, climate and river systems could be used on the revised maps. T. A. W. D. Wild Geese: M A Oglivie: T & A D Poyser: £ 7.80. This worthy companion volume to the author's Ducks of Britain and Europe deals with the geese of North America, Europe and Asia and covers all Anser and Branta species; even the Hawaiian Goose (Branta sandvicencis) is mentioned, but we are told that this delightful and now well known bird will be covered in a separate subsequent monograph. The layout resembles that of the earlier title and covers the spectrum of wild goose life under the headings classification; identification; ecology; food and feeding; breeding; countings, ringing and population dynamics; distribution and status; migration, and finally (and very justifiably), ex- ploitation and conservation. Sixteen colour plates by the author's wife are excellent identification aids; heads, downy young, immatures and age/sexing characters are very useful inclusions. Maps showing distribution and movement, together with tables, appear appropriately, and delightful line drawings grace the text. A great deal of information is contained within the 350 pages, and a bibliography with over 200 titles is said by the author to be highly selective. The text is uninterrupted by references, which makes easier reading. A glance at the index will direct one to most of the answers that one is likely to ask about wild geese. This is a book for both naturalist and wildfowler; one hopes that the latter will be properly chastened by the revelation on pp. 318-319 that 40- 45% of the Pinkfeet visiting Britain were found to contain lead shot. A census in America revealed that 20% of shots fired at geese by sportsmen