Turner on Birds A Short and Succinct History of the Principal Birds Noticed by Pliny and Aristotle Among the Waterfowl Nature Biographies The Brook Book The Waterfowl Family Handbook of Nature Study

Abstract

WILLIAM TURNER, whose strong religious opinions entailed for him a life of many vicissitudes in the days of Henry VIII. and his three successors, had also the makings of a good ornithologist. In his voluntary and enforced absences from England (during which he visited many European countries, and formed a friendship with Conrad Gesner), as well as in his travels in this country, he gained a knowledge of the appearance and habits of many birds which might have enabled him to write a book on the subject which would have been of surpassing interest at the present day. But, like some modern ornithologists, he was more concerned in finding out (often with doubtful success) to what species of birds certain names used by certain ancient authors really applied. So that when in 1544 he published his work on ornithology, his object was primarily to determine the principal kinds of birds named by Aristotle and Pliny. Turner on Birds. A Short and Succinct History of the Principal Birds Noticed by Pliny and Aristotle. First published by Doctor William Turner., 1544. Edited, with Introduction, Translation, Notes, and Appendix, by A. H. Evans, M.A. Pp. xviii + 223. (Cambridge: At the University Press, 1903.) Price 6s. net. Among the Waterfowl. (The Dainty Nature Series.) By Herbert K. Job. Pp. xxi + 224; illustrated. (London: Wm. Heinemann, 1903.) Price 5s. net. Nature Biographies. (The Dainty Nature Series.) By Clarence Moores Weed. Pp. x + 164; illustrated. (London: Wm. Heinemann, 1903.) Price 5s. net. The Brook Book. (The Dainty Nature Series.) By Mary Rogers Miller. Pp. xvi + 241; illustrated. (London: Wm. Heinemann, 1903.) Price 5s. net. The Waterfowl Family. By L. C. Stanford L. B. Bishop T. S. Van Dyke. Pp. x + 598; illustrated. (New York: the Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1903.) Price 8s. 6d. net. Handbook of Nature Study. For Teachers and Pupils in Elementary Schools. By D. Lange. Pp. xvi + 329; illustrated. (New York: the Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1901.)