Recent Oniithulogical Publications. Ill 



of several of the most valued contributors to this Journal, and 

 have lately been set forth at some length by our excellent con- 

 frere Mr. A. C. Smith*. From a rigidly technical point of 

 view, we might perhaps complain that the manner in which 

 ornithology is treated by the author of these two handy little 

 volumes is not such as to increase the knowledge of the science 

 among those who use them. But who is there that has ever 

 floated in a " dahabeah" who has cared for the most abstruse 

 and recondite questions when lotus-eating? Such matters are 

 left to be settled at home ; and these volumes are especially 

 intended for the Nile-traveller during his voyage. They will, 

 we hope, induce many of our countrymen who annually visit the 

 ancient and mysterious river, and content themselves with 

 butcheiy on its banks, to pay greater attention than before to 

 the proceeds of their bird-slaughtering expeditions, submitting 

 their spoils to the inspection of friends at home for proper iden- 

 tification. We do not perceive any errors in Mr. Smith's deter- 

 minations of species, so far as we can judge, not having 

 examined his specimens ; but we venture to suggest that of his 

 unknown birds (vol. ii. pp. 275-278) no. 102 may be Geron- 

 ticus hagedash, and no. 103 G. calvus, while no. 108 is, with- 

 out much doubt, Grus virgo. 



In conclusion we may remark that an Ornithology of Egypt 

 still se fait desirer ; and very welcome such a work would be. 

 Might we, without impertinence, suggest the publication of a 

 Hand-book of Egyptian Zoology to the Ray Society and Mr. 

 Tristram when they have completed their present undertaking 

 on the Zoology of Palestine ? 



That nearly a century has elapsed since any narrative of 

 travels in Iceland should have been published in Sweden is an 

 excellent reason why Professor Paijkull should give to his 

 countrymen a narrative of his tour in that island. But con- 

 sidering the inordinate number of works of the same kind which 



* The Nile and its Banks, a journal of travel in Egypt and Nubia, 

 showing their attractions to the Archaeologist, the Naturalist, and the 

 general Tourist. By Rev. Alfrkd Charles Smith, M.A. London : 

 18G8. 2 vols. sm. 8yo. 



