Birds of Europe and America. — The Viper. 237 



Art. IV. A Geographical and comparative list of the Birds of 

 Europe and North America. By Charles Lucien Bonaparte, 

 Prince of Musignano. Van Voorst, London, 1838. 

 We are much gratified at the appearing of this volume, small 

 as it is, from the pen of the Prince of Musignano, not merely 

 because it must prove of value to naturalists, who cultivate 

 Ornithology, in a really philosophical spirit, but because we 

 hope it may be the forerunner of a more extensive work, which 

 its distinguished Author may be induced to place in the hands 

 of the same able and successful publisher. 



Being simply a list of all the known species inhabiting 

 the two great Continents of Europe and America, the work 

 does not present us with much matter for comment. It bears 

 however ample evidence of having been drawn up with consi- 

 derable care. The following is the result given by the author 

 of a comparison of the number of species occurring in the 

 two continents, and of such as are common to both. 



SHORT COMMUNICATIONS. 



Notice of a curious fact in the habits of the Viper.* — In 

 the study of natural history, as in all other parts of science, 

 we must be careful not to be deceived by first appearances, 

 especially if they involve any deviation from normal struc- 

 ture, or we shall be likely to publish as novelties, things which 

 do not in themselves afford any real change of formation. 



A specimen of an extraordinary description was found in 

 the neighbourhood of Lausanne, having the following charac- 

 ter. The general appearance was that of a viper. It was 

 about ten inches long ; but at about one third of the length 

 from the tail, there was, on the left side, a decided leg, analo- 

 gous to those of saurians ; and on the corresponding part of 

 the opposite side, there was a projection, as if there were a 

 leg, imperfectly developed, under the skin. There were also 

 projections of a similar kind on the fore part, about one third 

 from the head, but no mark externally. In progression, the 

 viper did not appear to use the leg. It was languid and weak, 

 but lived three days after it was caught, when it was killed 

 by being thrown into spirits of wine. 



*By J. C. Cox, Esq. Corresponding Member of the Zoological Society. 



