88 Recent Literature. [January 



reverie reflect unfavorbalv, not only on other parts of the book, but upon 

 the general trustworthiness of the author's scientific writings. Even in 

 natural history romance, probabilities should at least be kept in view. 

 In other parts of the book there are passages which evince a surprising 

 degree of ignorance on points well-known to many much less pretentious 

 observers. 



Throughout the work the author betrays a penchant for gratuitous and 

 not particularly sagacious speculation, as witness repeated attempts to 

 account for changes in habits when the author himself admits that he is 

 not sure that the changes have in reality occurred. There is also a loose- 

 ness of expression at times that ill-becomes a writer whose rambles are made 

 habitually with note-book in hand, recording on the spot whatever seems 

 worthy of note. The List, in the Appendix, of 219 species of birds is prac- 

 tically, the author tells us, a reproduction of Turnbull's list, "with annota- 

 tions based upon the observations of the sixteen years which have elapsed 

 since Dr. Turnbull wrote his work." He says his list ''may be said to 

 constitute the ornithic fauna of Mercer County." It is, however, disap- 

 pointing as a faunal list; the annotations are unsatisfactorily meagre, in 

 many cases merely quotations from Turnbull, and in many others are 

 marred bv more or less obvious misstatements. — J. A. A. 



Seebohm's History of British Birds.* — This work, the prospectus states, 

 is intended to form three royal octavo volumes, of about 600 pages each, 

 and will be published in six parts, illustrated with between 60 and 70 col- 

 ored plates. It is the author's intention to issue a part every six months. 

 The illustrations, executed in chromo-lithography, are to include all the 

 known eggs of British birds, and those of several species will now be 

 figured for the first time. Four parts have already reached this country, 

 the first three being dated 1SS3 and the fourth 1SS4. The typographical 

 execution of the work is excellent, and the plates are entitled to high 

 praise. The author's style is attractive, and his fitness for the under- 

 taking being well-known, the work cannot prove otherwise than a most 

 important addition to the literature of British ornithology. In respect 

 to nomenclature and classification Mr. Seebohm is conservative to a 

 degree aproaching eccentricity, but in respect to the general subject his 

 views are liberal, philosophic, and progressive. As regards details of 

 distribution, habits, etc., of the species treated, we are not in position to 

 judge critically, but the work seems to carry the stamp of care and 

 thoroughness. The illustrations have certainly rarely been equalled. 



In an 'Introduction' of some twenty or more pages the author unfolds 

 his plan and principles of work. He considers, very properly, that "the 

 question of the development of species by evolution is one which lies at 



* A History of British Birds, with colored Illustrations of their Eggs. By Henry 

 Seebohm. London : Published for the author by R. H. Porter, 6 Tenterden Street, W., 

 and Dulau & Co., Soho Square, W. Roy. 8vo. Vol. I, 1883, pp. xxiv-(-tfi3, pll. 20; 

 Vol. II (Part 1, 1883, Part 2, 1884), pp. xxxiv-(-6oo, pll. 22. 



