154 Miscellanies. 
rica. Within the tropics they are seen only in a serene and azure 
sky, and often leave a train behind them for several seconds, always 
impelled by the wind, and shooting in the direction to which it blows, 
which latter fact, strongly indicates their meteorological origin. The 
sudden dispersion of the luminous particles, causes the gleams and 
shivers which appear like a pale blaze or train in the line of their 
descent. M. Arago passed whole nights in watching these beauti- 
ful meteors with intense and philosophic interest. His observations 
mark the same results, particularly their fidelity to the direction of 
the wind. He states that in some instances they fell in one course 
for several consecutive hours, and changed their direction when the 
wind shifted, always obeying its variations however small, and to 
whatever point it veered. With great respect, | am Sir, yours. 
New York, March, 1831. 
4. Compendium of American Ornithology, by 'Tuomas NuTTaLl, 
A. M., F. L. S., &c.—Messrs. Hilliard & Brown, booksellers to the 
University of Cambridge, have issued proposals for the above work, 
with a specimen illustrative of the same; and they wait only for @ 
moderate subscription to be formed, in order to commence the pub- 
lication. ‘The work will embrace “a general history of all the birds 
indigenous to the most extensive limits of the United States, and of 
Canada ; with their habits, manners, uses, and systematic arrange 
ment, illustrated with faithful and original delineations of about two 
hundred of the most important species: to-be printed in royal octavo, 
upon good paper, and to be comprised in two closely printed vol- 
umes, in a good sized type, and to be delivered to subscribers in half 
volumes, or numbers, as they are completed. The price to subscri- 
bers will be $5.00 a number, or, with colored plates, $6.50.” The 
names of subscribers are desired previous to the 1st of May, 1831. 
We take much pleasure in announcing the foregoing proposals 5 
feeling that a work, which can be afforded at a moderate price, Upo” 
this delightful branch of natural history, is a great desideratum ; and 
having the utmost confidence in the ability of its author. No indi- 
vidual has been more favored than Mr. Nuttall, in opportunities for 
observing the habits of our birds. He has traversed, repeatedly, the 
whole extent of the United States, and has passed entire years - 
the natural resorts of the feathered tribe. His character as a philo- 
sophical naturalist will be a sufficient pledge for the scientific al 
rangement of the work ; and his well known attainments in botany 
