Curiosities of Natural History. 231 



'Curiosities of Natural History. By Francis T. Buckland. 

 M.A. From the fourth London edition. New York, Reid 

 & Carle-ton; Montreal, B. Dawson. 



This book is written by a son of the late celebrated Dr. Buck- 

 land. It is of a most miscellaneous order. The most of it was 

 written for popular London periodicals and partakes of the lively 

 style peculiar to such writing. It makes no pretensions to a sci- 

 entific treatment of its topics. It aims, if we may so speak, at 

 something higher than this, — at exhibiting the life of certain cu- 

 rious and well-known animals. The author has been a keen 

 observer of the habits of animals, and has taken note of many 

 striking features in their habits which came under his notice. 

 He has in this way made a really delightful gossiping book, 

 full of humour and anecdote, and very accurate in its illus- 

 trations, analogies, and anecdotes. The four chapters treat of 

 frogs, rats, serpents, fish, and monkeys, — a sufficiently miscella- 

 neous and odd group of creatures. Besides his own observations, 

 the writer has gathered together numerous curious incidents and 

 anecdotes from the writings of others, illustrative of the habits and 

 instincts of these animals. This is an illustration of how much 

 interest and amusement may be derived from the study of natural 

 histor}'. It makes evident the fact that we do not need to travel 

 far for objects of interest. There is no living creature a minute 

 knowledge of whose peculiarities would not be interesting were 

 they accurately observed and noted. We can recommend this 

 book as containing a most lively, humorous, and instructive ac- 

 count of the peculiarities, affections, and instincts of an interest!] 

 circle of animals. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



A List of Birds found in Upper Canada. By T. Cottle, Esq., 

 Woodstock, C. W. 



This list cannot be considered perfect, being only such as have 

 come under my own observation, and is, I am aware, most defi- 

 cient in the small warblers and sparrows: — 



*6. Falco Sparverius. 



7. Accipiter palumbarius. 



8. A. Cooperi. 



1. Buteo Borcalis. 



2. B. lineatus. 



3. Aqnila chryscetos. 



4. Haliaetus leucocephalus. 



5. Pandion Ilaliajtus. 



9. A. Pensylvanicus. 

 10. Surnia funerea. 



* F. Peregrinus and F. Columbarius, I believe, are also found, but have not come 

 under my own observation. 



