l38 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



of Scotland. This we had marked for extract, but regret our inabi- 

 lity to graft it upon our pages, on account of its length. 



" I object," saj's Mr. M'G., " to the specific name mulus, given to the 

 Grey Ptarmigan, that the bird is not mute ; and to albiis, that the Willow 

 Ptarmigan is equally white in winter. The latter species is in summer the 

 only one of the three that is red, and therefore I would name it the Red 

 Ptarmigan ; while the species commonly called the Red Grouse, being less red 

 than that just mentioned, and presenting a brown mottled appearance, might 

 be named the Brown Ptarmigan; and the present species, being the only one 

 that is at anv time grey, ought therefore to be called the Grey Ptarmigan." 

 —p. 210. 



It is to us pleasing to find that our author is not inclined impli- 

 citly to adhere on all occasions to the names imposed by his prede- 

 cessors. But it is good to observe moderation in all things, and in 

 nothing is it more required than in the nomenclature of so extensive 

 a field as Natural History. We are decidedly for expunging 

 glaringly erroneous names from our catalogues ; but as we conceive 

 it vain to attempt to obtain unexceptionable designations, either for 

 genera or species, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, it certainly 

 is to be regretted when authors alter established names on slight 

 grounds. We perceive no tenable objection to Red Grouse as ap- 

 plied to Lagopus Britannicus, and must protest against the changes 

 suggested in the foi-egoing extract. 



Our author has some pleasant chapters in his book entitled " Prac- 

 tical Ornithology, in the style of a Dialogue." In one of these we 

 find the following passage. After mentioning the best methods of 

 killing such birds as are not mortally wounded by the shot, his sup- 

 posed companion says : — 



" It is a barbarous business this practical Ornithology of yours, and one 

 not well adapted for benevolent persons. 



" Say not so ; a surgeon is not necessarily a savage. Ladies indeed cannot 

 become practical ornithologists, although they make no scruples in spitting 

 insects ; nor, I believe, Quakers, who, although they will not kill Cows, yet 

 eat beef. I cannot account for these inconsistencies. Botany is the best 

 study for ladies and other gentle beings ; and Geology for the stout-hearted 

 rough-shod gentlemen who do not choose to stick Beetles on pieces of cork, 

 or fumble among piles of paper for dry blades. For my ])art I have tried 

 them all ; but the study of birds and quadrupeds, with the aid of powder and 

 shot, is that which I prefer : and I know few occupations more delightful 

 than that of poring over the entrals of a rare bird until you have satisfied 

 yourself as to some minute points of structure." — p. 241. 



In a subsequent page our author and his ideal companion chime 

 in with each other, as might be supposed, very pleasantly as regards 

 the doctrine of analogies. Ridicule can, however, never prove the 

 doctrine to be ridiculous. 



We admit, with Mr. Mac Gillivray, that the Columbidas, as a 

 whole, form a ver)'' natural and distinct group. Still it must be re- 

 membered that there exist species which it is really difficult to 

 determine whether they rank properly in this or the neighbouring 



