324 NoHees itnd Analyses. 



them, however extraordinary the intelligence, that their whole Mis- 

 cellany might be bought up with the sum which would be requisite 

 to obtain for the naturalist a very cursory examination of the specimens 

 to be mentioned in their edition of Wilson. Once within the walls, 

 however, we fear that this " companion, or guide," will not conduct 

 the steps of the inquirer to any given bird, merely because it is 

 mentioned as being in the " Edinburgh College Museum." These 

 are rather wide words. We shall have to recur to this subject ; and 

 in the interim, merely remind the publishers of the Miscellany of 

 the fable of the dog Tray, and recommend them in future to " look 

 before they leap," We by no means charge them with the intention 

 to deceive. 



British Oology, Illustrations of the Eggs of British Birds, with 

 Figures of each Species. By William C. Hewitson. No. I. 

 April, 1831. 



Mr Hewitson has commenced the publication of a work, the subject 

 of which, if it cannot be said to be of very high pretensions, is 

 nevertheless of much interest to the observing naturalist. This first 

 number contains figures of the eggs of the lapwing, butcher-bird, 

 common bunting, yellow hammer, black cap, and sea swallow ; 

 which are accompanied by useful notices of the materials and situation 

 of the nests, &c. The figures, though rather flat, give a very good idea 

 of the different eggs, and, what is most important, are well coloured. 

 No arrangement is pursued in the publication of the figures, but a 

 proper index will be given at the conclusion of the work. We 

 consider the execution of the whole to be creditable to Mr Hewitson, 

 and recommend it to the support of our readers. 



Architecture of Birds; forming Vol. IX. of the Library of 

 Entertaining Knowledge. 



This is a more elaborate work than the preceding, which will indeed 

 form a favourable companion to it. Professor Rennie has a talent 

 for collecting that kind of curious information which natural history 

 offers to the popular reader, and which, without affording a very 

 high opinion of the author's scientific attainments, is not the less 

 valuable, as placing information, diffused through scientific works, in 

 an accessible form. 



Systematische Darstellung der Fortpjianzung der Vogel 

 Europas. Systematic Description of the Generation of Euro- 

 pean Birds, with the Figures of their Eggs. By F. A. L. Thie- 

 NEMANN, in conjunction with MM, Brehm and G. A. W. 

 Thienemann. Leipsic. 



The third part of this beautiful work has appeared. The plan of the 

 work is, to describe the amours of different species, their nests, 

 sitting, and the form and colour of their eggs ; avoiding all other 

 zoological details. At the head of each family of birds, we have the 

 general characters it presents, in respect of the nature of the eggs, 

 and the construction of the nest. 



