A Vertebrate Fauna of the Shetland Islands

Abstract

ALTHOUGH it would be too high a meed of praise to say that the authors have done for the Shetlands what Gilbert White did for Selborne (the systematic treatment of the fauna not being favourable to colloquial writing), there is no doubt that they have succeeded in producing a very interesting volume, and one which should be indispensable to every visitor to the most northern group of the British Islands, whether or no he be specially interested in birds. For in place of restricting themselves to a detailed account of the various members of their vertebrate fauna, Messrs. Evans and Buckley have furnished a very interesting description of the more striking physical features of these islands, together with numerous notes on the people and their mode of life. But perhaps the most generally attractive feature of the work will be the exquisite views of Shetland scenery with which it is adorned; these illustrations reflecting the highest credit alike on the photographer and on the artist responsible for their reproduction in the present form. In introducing these scenic pictures, in place of figures of the birds recorded as members of the fauna, the authors have undoubtedly exercised a wise discretion. In only one instance have they made a natural history object the chief feature of an illustration; the one exception being the beautiful plate of the nest and young of the great skua—a bird of all-absorbing interest to the naturalist in the Shetlands.

A Vertebrate Fauna of the Shetland Islands.

By A. H. Evans T. E. Buckley. Pp. xxix + 248. (Edinburgh: D. Douglas, 1899.)