31
coloured pictures of typical primary, secondary
and tail feathers. This book also includes
another unique section on skulls as well as
information on tracks, pellets and droppings.
Francis Rose has added an excellent book to the
botanical literature called "Colour Identi-
fication Guide to the Grasses, Sedges, Rushes
and Ferns of the British Isles and
North-Western Europe", published by Viking.
This is in the same series as the one on Moths
by Bernard Skinner. The colour plates by
Mason, Dalby and Davis are comprehensive and of
a high standard and should enable confirmation
of identification made by using a new set of
keys by Francis Rose. The only disadvantage
is that the plants would have to be brought to
the book as at a price of £35 I would not be
inclined to take it out into the field.
Another superb book is Volume 7 Part I of "The
Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and
Ireland", edited by A. Maitland Emmet and John
Heath and published by Harley Books at £49.50.
This provides a fascinating and complete record
of all the butterflies that have occurred in
the area concerned. Each species is provided
with a description of the image, the life
history, notes on distribution and distribution
maps, and information on the naming and early
history. Easily used keys make a very helpful
addition to a butterfly book, which is
beautifully illustrated with colour plates.
This book will surely remain the only butterfly
book worth buying for many years to come.
Of the many guides to the identification of.