MEETINGS DURING 1961
81
Down the Long Wind. Garth Christian. 1981. Newnes Ltd. 21/-.
Garth Christian has written a book with both the general reader and
professional ornithologist in mind. It is written in a brilliant anecdotal
style, and is full of humour.
The book deals with migration and its mysteries. There is an interest-
ing historical section, and another dealing with the most modern radar
methods of studying migration. The thrush family, the tits, swallows,
swifts, warblers, finches, rooks, and many other species all have their
place in this admirable, and most readable book.
Garth Christian is obviously a most observant naturalist, as well as
an ornithologist as indicated by his visits to a school, and his enlightening
observations on tits in his cottage garden.
There are numerous maps and diagrams, and over 30 photographs, 25
of which are the work of Eric Hosking; others are by Jane Burton and S.
Bayliss-Smith. The introduction has been written by Aubrey Buxton.
This book reveals vividly the marvels of migration, and the ways in
which it can be observed by the layman. It is a book no professional
ornithologist should be without, and would be a most useful addition to
the library of any School Natural History Society, or any other field club.
M. T. P.
Country Book. Macdonald Hastings (a Personal Anthology). George
Newnes Ltd. 30/-.
Macdonald Hastings has compiled a delightful bed-side book, which
captures the countryside in all its varied aspects. This is a book to
treasure and to dip into time and time again. There are many photo-
graphs, some of which are quite unusual but effective. His selections from
both prose and poetry are divided among the main yearly farming
activities though they are more nearly concerned with the maturing of a
human being. To unite these passages, he adds unobtrusive comments
as well as writing from his own experience. The author has passed beyond
the stage of regarding wild animals purely as prey, and the joy that a
naturalist finds in the countryside itself, is here.
E. M. Y.
Meetings of the Club during 1961
(*denotes field meeting)
January
12 Thursday Entomology. Indoor meeting for notes, identification
of specimens and informal discussion. Passmore
Edwards Museum.
21 Saturday "Gilbert White of Selborne" by H. Lowery, M.Ed., Ph.D.,
D.Sc. West Ham College of Technology.
26 Thursday Notes and Short Papers on Some Essex Mammals.
M Passmore Edwards Museum.
*29 Sunday West Hanningfield (Birds). Leader: Mrs P. Maw,