338 REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



Then follow the eggs of the Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza kortulana\ which 

 we believe we have never seen. They bear considerable resemblance to those of 

 the Yellow and Reed Buntings. The third figure is destitute of streaks, and is,, 

 we suspect, of much less frequent occurrence than the other two. 



The next plate includes eggs of the Greylag Goose (Anser palustris, Flem.) 

 and Bean Goose (A. ferus). They scarcely present any point of difference. 

 Mr. Hewitson did not succeed in meeting with the Greylag Goose in his tour in 

 Norway, but, from the information he obtained, believes that it breeds upon 

 the high inland grounds. The Bean Goose is not uncommon in Britain. The 

 flesh of one shot near Doncaster last year was by no means unpalatable. 



Three eggs of the Merlin Falcon (Falco sesalon, Temm.) are represented on 

 the following plate. The second and third varieties are rare, as every oological 

 collector knows. They are finely executed. 



We are then presented with two splendid illustrations, being the eggs of the 

 Whistling Swan (Cy gnus ferus) and Berwick's Swan (C. Bewickii, Yarkell). 

 The reason of attaching the name of the great wood-engraver to this species 

 is best known, doubtless, to the eminent individual who gave the bird its pre- 

 sent distinctive appellation. Had the excellent rules for nomenclature propounded 

 by Mr. Swainson been attended to in this instance, Cygnus Bewickii would, 

 however, never have been admitted. To the occasional and judicious commemo- 

 ration of the services of eminent naturalists in this way, we, like Mr. Swainson, 

 do not object ; it is only the abuse we reprobate. 



" Like the larger species, the Little Bustard (Otis tetrax) lays its eggs upon 

 the bare ground. They are said to be from three to five in number, < of a clear, 

 shining, grass-green colour, without spot or stain.' This is, I think, most likely 

 an oversight, and that the faint undefined spots may have been overlooked. Any 

 one who had previously seen the eggs of the Greater Bustard, would look for a 

 similar character in those of the present species, and he would be pleased in ob- 

 serving the close resemblance which they bear to each other, distinct as they are 

 from those of all other birds. I would, however, by no means dispute the fact 

 that there may be spotless varieties." 



Plate cxxxi. is dedicated to the eggs of the Spotted Tringa (Tringa macularia^ 

 Linn.). The difference between the figures, both in shape and color, is striking. 

 Both the eggs represented by our author are American specimens. — The number 

 closes with an excellent figure of the egg of the Rock Gossak (Astur palumbarius). 

 This bird is mentioned in the Fauna Orcadensis as being rather common in the 

 Orkneys ; but Mr. Hewitson suspects that the reverend ornithologist has mis- 

 taken the species, as the Gossak is not now to be met with there. According to 

 Mr. J. D. Hov this bird breeds in the same nest several successive years. Mr. 

 Selby informs us that the eggs are " marked with spots and streaks of reddish 



