Review of M.O. Des Murs' ' Oologie Oruitliologique.' 335 



has before shown himself to be well on his guard as to the recep- 

 tion of evidence. 



It may be expected of us that we should here sum up in a few 

 words our opinion of the ' Oologie Ornithologique ;' but the 

 task is not an easy one. We have thought it our duty to express 

 our dissent from some of our author's opinions, and even to 

 question some of his assertions ; but of the value of the work as 

 a whole there can be no doubt, even if it be only regarded as 

 laying the foundation of a future superstructure. In terseness 

 and perspicuity of style, M. Des Murs successfully equals the 

 neatest and most lucid of his country's writers. He is also very 

 considerate in urging the adoption of his theories, and we notice 

 with pleasure his willingness to give English oologists their due 

 credit. AYe must not omit to add likewise that the work contains 

 a Catalogue of the Birds of Europe, which is likely to be very 

 useful at the present time, when it is becoming customary to in- 

 clude among the number any chance stragglers, from what part 

 of the globe soever they may arrive. It is needless to say any- 

 thing in praise of this list further than that it has been compiled 

 " d'accord avec J. Verreaux," one of the highest authorities on 

 the subject. Lastly, let us mention that a careful triple index is 

 subjoined, which contributes largely to the practical use of the 

 work. 



That, in future, naturalists must of necessity take Oology into 

 account when investigating the classification of Birds, we regard 

 as inevitable ; but we may be permitted to place on record our 

 deliberate conviction that a scheme composed solely with refer- 

 ence to this one branch of ornithology will never lead us to a 

 true comprehension of the system of nature in relation to the 

 class Aves. Oology taken alone will prove a guide as fallacious 

 as any of the arbitrary methods of classification to which we 

 have before alluded : combined with other characters, we assert, 

 without fear of contradiction, it will not fail in time to produce 

 an ornithological arrangement as nearly true to Nature as mortals 

 can expect to achieve. 



June 1860. 



