98 A RETROSPECT OF THE LITERATURE 



like this. On the contrary, we shall, on all occasions, throw the 

 protecting shield of our power and influence around even the low- 

 lier productions of female enterprize and talent ; and wreak sum- 

 mary vengeance upon the sconce of that hapless wight who shall 

 dare to assail them with rudeness or insult. 



Nothing would more signally promote and facilitate the study of 

 Ornithology in this country, than the publication of an ably-exe- 

 cuted book of the Genera of Birds. They who are acquainted with 

 Curtis' work upon British Entomology*, will, at once, comprehend 

 our views on this subject. To those, however, who are not so for- 

 tunate as to have seen that exquisite and admirable production, some 

 explanation of what we mean by a Book of Genera, will be requi- 

 site. From every genus, one species — and that the most strongly- 

 marked, — of the British Birds should be selected, as the type, or ex- 

 ample, of the genus. Of this, an engraving should be given, with 

 a minutely accurate drawing of the hill, tarsus, and foot, as illus- 

 trative of those undeviating peculiarities of structure, upon which 

 the generic character is, or ought to be, almost invariably founded ; 

 and a figure of the egg. In the letter-press accompanying this 

 plate, the distinguishing character of the Order, Family, Genus, 

 and of all the species belonging to such genus, should be synopti- 

 cally traced ; with the varieties resulting from age, sex, or season, 

 and the average size, the habitation, and times of appearance, of the 

 bird, — if a periodical visitant, — and its peculiarities of food and ni- 

 dification. One hundred and thirty engravings, and a few sheets of 

 letter-press, would suffice for the completion of such a work. 



In a spirit of the most perfect kindliness and respect, we would 

 beg leave to suggest our project to the notice of Mrs. Perrott : con- 

 fident, as we are, of her ability to do ample justice to the subject ; 

 and apprehensive that, with the works of Selby, Gould, and Meyer, 

 " in the market" before her, a mere " Selection of British Birds,' 

 without plan or order, will not meet with the encouragement to 

 which her talents and labours are so abundantly entitled. 



* The British Entomology of Mr. John Curtis was commenced in 1824; and 

 has since been regularly continued, in monthly numbers. It has, conse- 

 quently, now well-nigh reached the close of the twelfth volume. We only 

 lament that the work is not more extensively known, and its value more 

 correctly appreciated, than it hitherto seems to have been. 



