Bibliographical Notices. 419. 



For instance, more than half of those noticed by Mr. E. C. Taylor 

 in Egypt, and nearly one-half of the species observed by Mr. Tristram 

 in Palestine, belong to the British list. Out of 357 birds found in Al- 

 geria, only fourteen have not been observed in Europe. North Africa 

 and the Great Desert seem to be the regular winter-quarters of our 

 familiar summer visitants. In the "oases" (p. 2/8), the " Willow- 

 wrens and "White-throats hop on every twig, beneath the shadow of 

 the never-failing palm, — peaceful retreats, rarely visited by any Raptor 

 more formidable than the Kestrel." There is a paragraph in Mr. 

 Tristram's introductory paper (p. 157) which we must not pass with- 

 out notice. Unless we have misapprehended his meaning, he seems 

 to look upon the Bird-fauna as showing more clearly than any other 

 class the relationship of the productions of Algeria with those of 

 Europe. At the same time, the writer expresses his surprise that 

 the differences are greater specifically when we turn to the Reptiles 

 and Mammifers ; whereas the Flora presents a striking resemblance 

 generically. Now, considering that so large a proportion of the 

 species of Birds common to both shores of the Mediterranean are 

 migratory, would it not be safer to strike off upon both sides all the 

 " locomotive" kinds, and then contrast the species which nest upon 

 either side? Thus might the features of the Algerian " Avi-fauna" 

 be found to correspond more nearly to those of the other classes. 



To Mr. Salvin's explorations in Eastern Atlas, the same interest 

 attaches in a British point of view ; and to both we are indebted for 

 most interesting particulars as to the breeding-haunts and habits of 

 many birds little known in this country. The same may be said 

 of the observations made in Spitzbergen ; for, although the number 

 of species found there was very small compared with Africa, few of 

 them nest in Britain, though nearly all visit us. 



If an Englishman is less concerned with the birds of St. Croix, it 

 is no fault of the writers, who have treated their subject in a most 

 pleasant and readable fashion. We can only regret that our ac- 

 quaintance with the West Indian species is so limited. Still here is 

 the Belted Kingfisher, a winter visitant to St. Croix, living in the 

 Mangrove swamps, and sometimes venturing half a mile to sea in 

 quest of fish : it seems to feed upon small crabs as well. One wad 

 seen far out at sea, flying round the steamer, in lat. 26° 17' N., long. 

 57° 28' W., in October. 



The Yellow-billed Cuckoo breeds in St. Croix. As is well known, 

 this bird incubates its own eggs. Mr. Newton describes these 

 Cuckoos as remarkably tame, and affectionate to their mates. 



The Virginian Quail has been successfully naturalized in the 

 island. Though reputed a British bird, our cUmate is probably un- 

 suitable, as the authors inform us all attempts to establish it in the 

 eastern counties of England have failed. Wilson s Stint, the Pec- 

 toral Sandpiper, Sooty Tern, Laughing Gull, and a Petrel or two, 

 complete the names which occur in Yarrell. The eggs of eight 

 species are admirably figured by the masterly hand of Hewitson. 



It is indeed of high importance to the right understanding of geo- 

 graphical distribution, and especially of migration, that we should 



28* 



