1 10 Recent Oi'nithological Publications. 



gives a schematic table in which these variations, as observed in 

 a series of nearly forty specimens, are rendered very apparent, 

 and serving to show that they are not dependent upon sex. Dr. 

 Hoffmann is a strong supporter of the doctrine of the " unity 

 of the species^' as regai'ds the European Woodcock ; and we must 

 say we quite agree with him. He afterwards considers in detail 

 the habits, food, and mode of propagation of the bird. As to the 

 exact manner in which Woodcocks carry their young to and from 

 the feeding-grounds he is still in some doubt. We have our- 

 selves had no experience in the matter ; but a friend of ours as- 

 sures us it is effected by the parent grasping the young between 

 the tarsi, and holding at the same time the bill downwards and 

 backwards under the young bird. A couple of chapters are ap- 

 propriated to the geographical distribution and migration of the 

 species, and to an account of the localities in which it passes the 

 winter, while another couple or three are almost entirely taken 

 up with sporting-matters. From old records the author shows 

 that Woodcocks have sensibly decreased in number, owing, he 

 says, to the extension of cultivation, the greater perfection of 

 firearms, and the growing value of dead game through increased 

 facilities of transport. Finally the American species [Scolopax 

 minor) is considered, much in the same manner, but at less 

 length than the European, and chiefly from Audubon's writings ; 

 and thus ends this very good monogi'aph on the natural history 

 of " Timber-doodles." 



6. Dutch and Belgian. 



The ninth portion of the Catalogue of the Leyden Museum * 

 has followed its predecessor with gratifying speed. It contains 

 the conclusion of the Anseres, the Coruces, and the Urinatores. 

 The resume of the first shows that, according to Prof. Schlegel's 

 ideas, the group is represented in the Museum by 1225 spe- 

 cimens, of which no less than 91 are skeletons and 1085 are 

 mounted skins. The next group contains 15iJ0, of which 113 

 are osteological specimens, — and the last 41-9, of which 48 are 

 osteological specimens. We feel called upon to remark, with 



* Museum d'Histoire Naturelle des Pays-Bas, par H. Schlegel. 9me 

 livraison. Leydeii : 1807. (London, Williams and Norgate.) 



