MODERN WILDERNESS

Pleasant rambling nature essays, rather limited in scope, and of human and philosophical interest instead of scientific, although it is very evident that the writer knows his subject. The swampy region along the Passaic River in New Jersey is his ""hunting ground"" -- a ""small wilderness unchanged for generations yet planted in the heart of civilization, a sanctuary for the furtive folk of nature."" Into his observations and experiences with birds, fish, turtles, skunks, etc. he tucks a good deal of individuality, fragmentary bits about people. No particular distinction of style.