The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 82, July 1978 - April, 1979 Page: 225

Book Reviews

conditions in northern California being less than four pages). Since no
single library holds all eleven of these imprints, David Weber has con-
tributed importantly to the purpose described in his introduction, the
reviewer's only caveat being that the purpose might have been more
broadly served by providing English translations, if even in lieu of the
facsimile reproductions.
New Mexico State University GENE M. BRACK
Mexican Wilderness and Wildlife. By Ben Tinker (Austin: University
of Texas Press, 1978. Pp. xii+ 131. Foreword, tables, illustrations.
$9.95.)
For three years, 1923-1926, Ben Tinker served the president of Mex-
ico as federal game guardian, implementing the first Mexican legisla-
tion for the protection of endangered wildlife and laying the founda-
tion for subsequent protective authorities. That was for Tinker but one
stage in his career as a sportsman, conservationist, and wildlife writer.
Tinker is well known in the hunting world for his prolific writings and
his prowess as a hunter. He is responsible for a number of record tro-
phies of North American (chiefly Mexican) big game; his trophy hunt-
ing in the early years of this century included provision of specimens to
scientists and museums. And as A. Starker Leopold points out in his
introduction, Tinker's contributions to zoology are solid and impor-
tant; included among them are his discovery of species of white-tailed
deer, California condor, and others in Mexican habitats previously un-
known to science, and his singular observations of the habits and habi-
tats of Mexican fauna. It is hard to believe that Tinker found time to
earn his living as a successful rancher in Mexico.
This attractive volume is a sort of compendium of Tinker's varied
experiences. The majority comprises vivid descriptions of all major
north Mexican game and predatory species, their lifeways and habitats.
It is supplemented with more general material on conservation and
game management, some history (not especially accurate), the discovery
of major archeological sites, trout fishing in Baja, California, the ways
in which animals find water in the desert, and a brief guide to the wil-
dernesses and wildlife concentrations of northern Mexico. Throughout,
Tinker adorns his text with scores of amusing and informative anec-
dotes drawn from his experiences.
The sketches by Doris L. Tischler are as delightful as they are depic-
tive, and they add to the charm of an engaging little book. The maps

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