336 Bibliographical Notices. 
of Portuguese descent, who wrote an excellent work on Angola and 
the Congo, and who died on the first visit of the pair to Delagoa Bay, 
whither they had gone with expressly scientific aims. Notwith- 
standing its sad associations Mrs. Monteiro speaks well of this port, 
which she calls “the finest natural harbour of South Africa; ” 
adding that the fever and ague are much over-rated or largely due 
to indiscretions in eating and drinking; while she makes fun of her 
troubles with the lazy, drunken, thievish Kafir servants, and even 
extracts some amusement from the insect plagues, which are the 
worst of all and omnipresent. Many practical hints are given 
respecting the killing, batting, or circumventing these last nuisances ; 
and the experiences of the Papalata or “ collecting lady” are told 
with a brightness of style which in noway detracts from their 
scientific value. Each chapter is illustrated with charming 
vignettes by A. B. and E. C. Woodward, after original sketches by 
the author; among the best being Breviceps mossambicus devouring 
ants, and Solpuga fatalis in ambush, waiting for his antagonist—a 
weird picture. From first to last this work maintains its interest, 
and there is not a suspicion of padding about it. 
La Plume des Oiseaux: histoire naturelle et industrie. Par Lacrorx- 
Danuiarv.—L’amateur d’Oiseaua de Voliére. Avec 51 Figures 
dessinées d’aprés Nature. Par Henri Moreau,  Bailliére et fils: 
Paris, 1891. ; 
Tue plan of the first work is to give a sketch of the birds which 
yield feathers or down useful to man, the history of the prepa- 
ration of these productions, the markets for them, and their 
commercial importance. On these or similar lines it is easy 
to compile a loose treatise on birds in general, especially on those 
of which woodcuts are available, many of them being very old 
acquaintances. Accuracy is not a distinguishing characteristic ; for 
instance, in fig. 42, which, we are expressly told, is a representation 
of one of the ostrich-parks in Algeria, the birds have three well- 
developed toes on each foot, and in fig. 41 the ostrich pursued by a 
mounted Arab is similarly gifted. The letterpress has no scientific 
value, but as a book for young people who wish to improve their 
knowledge of Frenchit can be recommended, as being more inter- 
esting than the works usually put into their hands. 
The second work is far superior to the preceding as regards the 
letterpress, for the author is evidently no mere compiler, but has 
a practical acquaintance with cage-birds. For young students of 
French this book has the same advantages as the former, but 
it is more “ serious,” and consequently less entertaining, though of 
greater practical utility. 
