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AuduhorCs " Birds of America *," and '< Ornithological Bio- 

 graphy f." 



The second volume of the splendid Illustrations of the Orni- 

 thology of the United States, published under the name of the 

 " Birds of America,"" has been before the public for some time ; 

 and the second volume of the " Ornithological Biography," con- 

 taining descriptions of the birds represented in the work just 

 mentioned, has just made its appearance. This volume has 

 been expected with impatience, and will be read with pleasure, 

 by many besides the author's extended circle of personal friends 

 and patrons ; but, before offering our opinion respecting it, we 

 shall make a few remarks on the volume of plates, which we shall 

 view in the twofold light in which they require to be seen ; — as 

 scientific representations of birds, and as productions of art cal- 

 culated to afford pleasure to those who are not ornithoiogists 

 either in right or in courtesy. 



The first plate contains the semblance of an old raven, saga- 

 cious, cunning, and mischievous, but withal grave and sedate, like 

 many individuals met with in human society. We do not much 

 admire this plate as the first of so splendid a series, and should 

 have preferred seeing in its place some of those beautiful pigeons 

 or grouse which we find in the volume, or, still more, the fine 

 figure of the golden eagle, the drawing of which nearly cost the 

 artist his life. We have no objection, however, to the rank 

 which the raven here assumes, for he is certainly as respectable 

 a bird as any that could be named. 



The group of blue jays in the second plate is extremely beau- 

 tiful. One of them has thrust his bill into a pigeon's egg ; an- 

 other having broken the shell is endeavouring to fix it with his 

 foot, but the ladle has couped, and its savoury contents are 

 streaming over the beard of another, who thrusts himself for- 



• The Birds of America, from original drawings. By John J. Audubon, 

 F. R. SS. I.. & E. &c. Folio, Vol. II. 



■f Ornithological Biography, or an Account of the Habits of the Birds of 

 the United States. By .Tohn J. Audubon, F. R. SS. I-. & E. &c. Super- 

 Royal 8vo. Vol. II. 



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