225 



REVIEWS 



The Natural History and Classification of Birds. By William Swainson, 

 A.C.G., F.R.S.L.S. Vol. I., being vol. LXXXIII. of Lardner's Cabinet 

 Cyclopaedia, pp. 365. London : Longman & Co. 



The savage who first placed upon his head a flaming feather from the plumage 

 of the Toucan, as little considered the importance of an] investigation into the 

 structure and habits of birds as he who, in the present day, runs over the pages of 

 the richly illustrated works arrayed in all the splendours of art the zoological 

 draughtsman can bestow, and fondly fancies himself an ornithologist. It is not 

 now the pastime of turning over plates or drawings that will constitute any one an 

 ornithologist ; it must not be concealed that deep and attentive study is required 

 to fully comprehend all the details of the science, and that there are difficulties in 

 scientific arrangement and classification sufficient to blunt the edge of the ardour 

 of the most enthusiastic. Mr. Swainson not unadvisedly, then, intimates that no 

 " Introduction to Modern Ornithology," calculated for the present state of science, 

 yet exists, and proposes to supply the deficiency in the present work, which he has 

 arranged in three departments : Part I. — On the structure and natural history of 

 birds in general : Part II. — On the bibliography, nomenclature, and preservation 

 of birds : Part III. — On the natural history and relations of the different orders, 

 tribes, and families of birds. 



On these topics Mr. Swainson dilates with the practised hand of a master ; he 

 has been an observer in the cabinet and the field, and it would be injustice not to 

 admit that, with much information on the external anatomy of birds, the volume 

 combines some very agreeable writing. In short, it is what we always must ap- 

 prove — scientific information imparted in a pleasing manner. For the present, 

 we must defer our examination of Mr. Swainson's classification till the appearance 

 of the second volume, particularly as it proceeds no farther than the insessorial 

 order ; and as he states it to be " the result of the last six years' study," it will 

 be most advantageous to discuss its merits when placed before us entire and com- 

 plete. We shall now, therefore, assume to ourselves the privilege of a " rapto- 

 rial" bird, and shall pounce down without ceremony upon whatever appears to de- 

 serve our notice, and meets our exploring eye within Mr. Swainson's preserve. 

 We feel obliged, however, to take exception to the somewhat lordly manner with 

 which Mr. Swainson delivers his dicta ex cathedra, and his almost total neglect 

 of his contemporaries, unless they have been concerned in the manufacture of 

 splendid quartos or folios, or it is their goodfortune " in courts to shine. " Thus, 



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