CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 123 



in one instance, observed the Kildar Plover, {Charadrius vociferu.s), 

 of North America, to form a nest similar to that here described of 

 the present species. 



A couple of Turnstone's eggs, very pretty and beautifully repre- 

 sented. *^ I have seen specimens," says Mr. Hewitson, " very 

 nearly resembling some eggs of the Common Snipe." We know of 

 one which has a darker, or rather pale brown, ground colour. Some 

 highly interesting remarks on the habits of this species are annexed. 

 It breeds on islets, concealing its eggs under the shelter of an ever- 

 green bush, and is apt to indicate the site it has chosen by its 

 activity in driving the larger Sea Fowl from the spot; Mr. Hewit- 

 son met with its eggs, in one instance, upon the naked rock. 



A Lapwing's egg, with which most persons are familiar. The 

 number of these which are brought seasonally to the London 

 markets is most surprising. 



Next follow two specimens of that of the Golden Plover, which 

 are usually larger than the preceding, with a clear ground-colour. 

 They are figured exquisitely. 



Two of the little Ring Plover; "the first," according to the 

 author, " the most common, both as regards shape and colour ; the 

 other is, however, frequent." Though we bow to Mr. Hewitson's 

 superior experience, it behoves us to say that our own observation 

 would rather lead us to consider the second figure as that exhibiting 

 the more ordinary appearance. However, we fully accede to their 

 being both common. 



A couple of examples of the Thicknee's egg, of which species we 

 obtained a very immature example, unable to fly, in the month of 

 October last. Some of these birds always stay with us through the 

 winter. Its eggs are very well figured, but we have seen many 

 which have the ground colour clearer, and more boldly blotched than 

 either of those represented. 



A white egg, belonging to the Sheildrake. It is well known 

 that this beautiful species, though very easily hatched and reared 

 in a domestic state, in which it becomes even troublesomely fami- 

 liar, has, nevertheless, been rarely known to breed in confinement. 

 In the wild state it usually deposits its eggs in rabbit burrows, and 

 all that is necessary to get it to breed in a captive condition, is 

 merely to furnish it with artificial burrows, into which it may re- 

 tire for this purpose. 



Eggs of the Wigeon, and of the Shoveler, dull white, the latter 

 somewhat more deeply tinted. The former species was first dis- 

 covered to breed in Britain, by the party of naturalists who visited 

 Sutherland in the summer of 1834, of the ornithological discoveries 

 of which an interesting account has been furnished by Mr. Selby, 

 in Jameson's Edinburgh Journalj which we heartily recommend to 

 the perusal of every British naturalist. 



An egg of the Mallard Duck and of the Teal, differing only in 

 size ; and on the next plate an example of that of the Eider, of 



