REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 113 



some whose love of science and admiration of the publication would otherwise 

 cause them to procure it ; but we think it cannot, on the whole, be called a dear, 

 or even an expensive work. However, be this as it may, the list of subscribers 

 (given in a former number) extends to a considerable length, and we may there- 

 fore trust that the intelligent author has not suffered, in a pecuniary point of 

 view, by his undertaking. The plates, it will be perceived, are not published in 

 systematic order ; but this is of little consequence, as they can for the most part 

 be arranged, at the conclusion of the work, according to the views in classification 

 of each subscriber. 



The number opens with a representation of the egg of the Common Kite (Mil- 

 vus vulgaris, Fleii.) ; it is not much subject to variety, and therefore only one 

 figure is given, and with that one we have no fault to find. Our author, how- 

 ever, mentions one curious variety, in the possession of the Rev. W. Darwin 

 Fox, " singularly spotted with minute dots, and waved linear marks." 



The next is that of the Darklegged Warbler (Sylvia loquax, and not S. hippo- 

 lais, as given by Mr. Hewitson). Our author has judged right in representing 

 three figures, as the eggs are very much subject to variety. We never saw one 

 of the beautiful dark colour of Fig. 2., a shade between Figs. 1 and 3 being com- 

 monest. In 1836 we first heard the note of this bird, as mentioned by Mr. 

 Hewitson, on the 5th of February, but this year not a single individual was 

 seen in the north of England till towards the close of April, a circumstance easily 

 accounted for by the dreariness of the past season. 



Two figures of the egg of the Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea, Ltnn.), differing 

 remarkably in size, but not in colour. The representations are characteristic, but 

 scarcely so well finished as we could have wished. 



A couple of sombre-looking eggs of the Black-tailed Godwit (L,imosa melanura, 

 Leisleb), offering no very remarkable varieties. The extremes have, however, 

 not been figured in Mr. Hewitson's plate. 



We next find a delicately-executed figure of the White Stork's (Ciconia alba) 

 egg. The situation of the nest in the towns of Holland and Germany is " upon 

 the tops of towers, churches, and outbuildings, upon many of which boxes are 

 placed for their accommodation. Mr. Hoy, who has seen them upon a cart- 

 wheel elevated on the top of a strong pole, for that purpose, says, that they 

 also, though seldom, build in lofty trees." 



Lovely representations of the egg of the Hobby Falcon (Falco subbuteo), the 

 darker variety being much the commoner of the two. 



In the next plate, we regret to find the eggs of two species figured together, 

 which will preclude the possibility of arranging the work, in this particular, ac- 

 cording to the views of modern systematists. The species are the Gargany Teal 

 (Querquedula circia) and the Common Gadwall (Chauliodus strepera). Our 

 author, it is true, includes them both in LinNjEus's great genus Anas ; but even 

 No. 8, Vol.11. q 



