Bibliographical Notices. 223 
lantic, southward to those of Sphacteria whose precipices are laved 
by the waters of the eastern Mediterranean, I have remarked that the 
rock-dove equally finds a home; as it likewise does in islets from the 
high and rugged promontory of Oe, in Islay, off the south-western 
coast of Scotland, to the ‘ Isles of Greece.’ ”’ 
If from considering the range of species, and the circumstances 
which invest them with adventitious interest, we confine our attention 
to individual species as observed in Ireland, we find abundance of 
material, carefully collected and judiciously brought together. Under 
this head we might refer to the full and accurate manner in which 
the food of each is noted, after the author’s personal examination of 
the contents of the stomachs of different individuals. His critical 
knowledge of species, both of plants and of those invertebrate animals 
that afford the means of subsistence to numerous families of birds, 
becomes here of great importance, and has enabled him to treat this 
part of his subject with a completeness which is rare, if not un- 
equaled. 
The number of quails which appear to winter in Ireland, forms a 
singular point of contrast between Great Britain and the sister 
island. ‘The woodcock, on which notes of the highest interest are 
given, suggests a similarcomparison. But perhaps there is no species 
which offers more numerous topics than the heron (4rdea cinerea). 
We are accustomed in Britain to regard it as solitary in its habits 
during the winter; in the Bay of Belfast it becomes gregarious, and 
flocks of from thirty to sixty are mentioned. Their appearance, 
whether perched on trees, congregated in meadows and ploughed 
fields, or mustered on the beach, is described—sometimes as seen in 
bright sunshine, and at others as they pursue their piscatory vocation 
by the light of the moon. 
The book abounds with anecdotes illustrative of habits, and told 
in a most attractive style. We might refer as examples of this to the 
land-rail (vol. 11. p. 317), or to the heron in confinement (vol. ii. 
p- 152). Perhaps however a still more attractive little “ bit” of 
biography may be found in the history of a pet magpie, vol. i. p. 334, 
or that of three redbreasts, vol. i. p. 167. 
One who studies, as Mr. Thompson has done, the habits of birds 
amid their native haunts, where alone the true enjoyment of orni- 
thological pursuits can be felt, is brought at times into the midst of 
scenery, which the mind that is alive to what is beautiful in nature, 
cannot contemplate unmoved. It is but natural therefore that the 
author should occasionally turn from the birds to the scenery in which 
they are found. Of this we have examples in vol. ii. pp. 55, 246. 
On the whole, we have no hesitation in saying that this book must 
take its place by the side of those which are justly regarded as 
standard works on Ornithology. Its facts will commend it to the man 
of science, and the manner in which they are conveyed will win for it 
a ready admission to many a domestic circle. We hail it as a valuable 
addition to our literature, and shall look forward with impatience for 
the remaining volumes. 
