SALAMANDERS

A straightforward, utilitarian survey of the many kinds of salamanders (in all, 26 salamanders in seven different families) found in North America. Billings describes their mating behavior, life cycles, coloration (lost, however, in the blackand-white photos), habitats, and food. She ends with advice on catching and keeping salamanders as pets. The book could be used for this purpose or for look-it-up convenience; children who want more than a catalog of information will be better served by Patent's Frogs, Toads, Salamanders and How They Reproduce (1975).