Weihaiwei, Aug. 26—Since I recently published a very candid review of a book (The Beeps) in which the authoress claims that a family of Tree Sparrows followed her on the wing from Kansas City, U.S.A., to Hankow, China, I have received some most interesting letters from America to explain the situation. It appears that the lady wrote to some prominent College professors asking them questions about, Tree Sparrows (Passer moutanns) and then included rather warped editions of their replies in her book as "scientific data" to prove the truth of her fantastic story! The surprise of the professors when they received autographed copies of the book containing their names and "evidence" can better be imagined than described, and I am given to understand that the ribald jokes of the students are still rocking the College compounds. The publishers have also written expressing regret for having published the book without making proper investigations....so I trust tris stupid "Boop" story has been finally put to bed. Which reminds me that the "Beeps" which rest below
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.