REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 339 



brown," but our author's figure — taken from the only specimen he has seen — is 

 spotless. 



The Language of Birds : comprising poetic and prose Illustrations of the most 

 favourite Cage Birds. With twelve highly-coloured plates. By Mrs. G. Spratt. 

 London : Saunders and Otley. 1837- 12mo. Gilt edges. 



" Some authors write for fame or notoriety, others (we are assured) are ac- 

 tuated solely from a wish to benefit their fellow-creatures, and a very small por- 

 tion to benefit themselves. Now I must candidly confess that I am not suffi- 

 ciently ambitious to be influenced by the first consideration, nor am I philan- 

 thropist enough to brave the censures of a very amiable set of gentlemen known 

 by the title of critics, to be induced to write entirely for the second motive; but 

 as for the last, perhaps it may have as much weight with me as it has with some 

 who disdain to acknowledge it. 



" Having frequently assisted others in their endeavours to amuse or instruct 

 the public, as well as having presented a trifle or two of my own, although not 

 in propria persona, which the said public were kind enough to approve, I am 

 induced once more to venture forth, and to solicit further indulgence and pa- 

 tronage for the present work." — p. 2. 



That the field naturalist should find much novel matter in a book similar in plan to 

 the present is not to be expected. But the descriptions and anecdotes will doubtless 

 please many to whom abstruser reading would be tedious and uninteresting. 

 That it contains some mistakes also, is not surprising, although the authoress 

 appears to be in possession of a few good modern authorities ; and if she be really 

 as fond of the feathered race as she expresses herself — of which we have no doubt 

 — we see no reason why she should not occasionally observe her little favourites 

 in their natural state, and endeavour to add something new or interesting to our 

 present knowledge. Depend upon it she would derive far greater pleasure from 

 studying birds at large to noticing them in captivity. We approve the tendency 

 of the following quotation : — 



" I have a great dislike to robbing birds of their dearly cherished offspring, and have always en- 

 deavoured to make children sensible of the cruelty of destroying either their nests or eggs ; being 

 one day in the country, I met a little boy with a nest thrust into his hat, containing one poor, 

 miserable, perishing, half-fledged little creature. I accosted him by asking if he were aware of 

 his cruelty, and how would he like any great over-grown monster to tear him from his 

 fond mother, his Jindulgent father, and expose him naked to the wind and rain? (for 

 it was then raining fast.) His reply was — ' Why, Marm, vive or six on us chaps have agreed to 

 ze who can get most nestes, so we takes all as we can find.' ' And was there only this one in the 

 nest you have taken ?' ' Noa, there witr three more, but Tom Snooks would get up the tree 

 too ; so you ze as how he said he seed the nest furst; but I did him, for I got hold of the nest, 

 and while he was trying to grab the young 'uns out of it, two fell into the bushes under us, and 

 while he was looking for them, I bolted with this here un and the nest.' ' And what are you 

 going to do with it P 1 ' To take it to I armer Stubbs.' * And what will Farmer Stubbs do with 



