330 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



having a much hrowner tinge than the other : they are of the size of 

 those of a dunghill fowl. It appears that the young are held in 

 very high estimation, by the fisherman, as food. 



Lastly, we have a figure of the Fulmar's egg, and one of the 

 Storm Petrel's ; both white, the former equalling in size, or exceed- 

 ing, that of the Herring Gull, the latter about the magnitude of a 

 Black Tlirush's. Both are said to exhale a strong musky odour, 

 which they retain for a length of time. Among a number of Storm 

 Petrel's eggs received by the author subsequently to the publication 

 of this plate, were two specimens " beautifully marked round the 

 larger end with very minute dots of red and purple, forming a clear 

 though faintly-marked zone." Mr. Hewitson has some pleasing 

 observations on this bird's habits, which appear to be more exclu- 

 sively nocturnal than is generally considered. "Their manner of 

 walking," he says, " is very light and pleasing, and diifering from 

 that of every other bird I have seen ; they carry their bodies so far 

 forward, and so nearly horizontal, as to give them the appearance 

 of being out of equilibrium." There has been a great number of 

 these curious little birds, during the last winter, in the London 

 markets, in consequence of the violent gales that we have experi- 

 enced. It invariably lays but one egg, like the rest of its tribe, and 

 not two, as has been represented. 



Since these volumes have been bound up, Mr. Hewitson has 

 made considerable progress in his undertaking, as much, we think, 

 as could reasonably be anticipated. It is by far the most elegant 

 work of the kind that has ever been published, and reflects much 

 credit on all who have been employed in it. It would be superflu- 

 ous to repeat the eulogiums we have all along bestowed in the 

 course of the foregoing commentary. No person engaged in orni- 

 thological pursuits should be without it. 



Birmingham and its Vicinity, as a Manufacturing and Commercial 

 District. Bv William Hawkes Smith. London : Tilt. 1836. 

 8vo. 



We have already (vol. ii., p. 264) presented our readers with an 

 analysis of the earlier numbers of this publication, and now that 

 the volume is completed we feel a pleasure in renewing the praise 

 it so well deserves. The work contains much interesting and use- 

 ful information relative to an extremely important district, and the 

 talent and research indicated both in the text and the notes is high- 

 ly creditable to the author. The history of the town of Birming- 

 ham is succinctly abstracted, from various published authorities, and 

 from personal observation and inquiry ; and the tone of the descrip- 

 tive portions, generally, evinces a fondness for antiquarian pursuits. 

 The engraving given at page 9, part iii, is interesting in this re- 

 spect, as including representations, not, we believe, before published, 

 of the fine monumental sculptures in St. Martin's Church ; the 

 ancient brass manorial standard bushel-measure, and other objects 



