34:6 Recent Ornithological Publications. 



Hearne — the beautiful and delicate species of which he says that 

 he "ate two of them one night for supper/' a statement which 

 has given rise to various pleasantries, and even to incredulity 

 on the part of those who do not know how small a Goose may 

 be without becoming a Duck. We think it was hardly necessary 

 merely on account of the " blossom-face " of this species to found 

 for it a new genus ; but we will readily forgive Mr. Elliot this 

 time if only in consideration of the pleasure we have in looking 

 at his plate, and also for the sake of the smile provoked by the 

 ingenious name he has invented. 



The ornithology of the land chosen by the Pilgrim Fathers 

 has at last met with a monographer in the person of Mr. Samuels, 

 who has produced a volume* which, essentially popular in its 

 character, is compiled with enough scientific precision to contain 

 nothing that need mislead the veriest tyro, and much that may 

 guide him to knowledge. The scope of the work is amply ex- 

 plained in its preposterously long title, which w^e reprint entire. 

 We can only demur to the illustrations. It is probable they 

 may render the work more attractive to the general public ; but 

 that certainly will not be their effect on the ornithologist. Many 

 of the eggs, however, are represented (or dare we say misrepre- 

 sented ?) for the first time ; and if in no other light than that, 

 the book is worthy the attention of oologists. 



If we are not mistaken, the want of a popular natural -history 

 magazine has long been felt by our friends in the United States, 

 * The American Naturalist ' is a very creditable attempt to sup- 

 ply the deficiency, and, we doubt not, will attain a very consi- 

 siderable success, sowing good seed all over the land. It may 



* Ornithology and Oology of New England : containing full descriptions 

 of the Birds of New England, and adjoining States and Provinces, ar- 

 ranged by a long-approved Classification and Nomenclature ,• together 

 ■with a complete history of their Habits, Times of Amval and Departure, 

 their Distribution, Food, Song, Time of Breeding, and a careful and ac- 

 curate Description of their Nests and Eggs ; with Illustrations of many 

 Species of the Birds, and accurate Figures of their Eggs. By Edward 

 A. Samuels, Curator of Zoology in the Massachusetts State Cabinet. 

 Boston : 1867. 8vo, pp. 58.3. 



