472 ; Bibliographical Notices. 
are given as they never could have been under any other circum- 
stances. The native plants are also correctly delineated and grouped 
with the birds, which renders the work interesting to a botanist. 
Among the more remarkable species represented now, is the 
Alectura Lathamii, a bird which has been an object of speculation 
among ornithologists until the present time. The venerable Latham, 
to whom it has been dedicated, originally described it as a Vulture, 
but afterwards saw reason to change his opinion, and to place it 
among the Rasorial birds. The same view was taken by the au- 
thors of the ‘Illustrations. of Ornithology,’ who placed it as the 
Australian representative of the Cracide or Megapodine, but Mr. 
Swainson in his late Treatise has again restored it to its ancient 
place. The observations of Mr. Gould have now, however, decided 
the proper station to be that which Latham assigned to it, and have 
in addition brought to light some most remarkable points in its ceco- 
nomy, We have instances of several birds leaving their eggs to be 
hatched by warmth of the sun, but nowhere have we seen a bed ar- 
tificially prepared for that purpose so as to generate heat. The Alec- 
tura collects large heaps of dried leaves and grasses, several of the 
birds assisting at the same time ; and when the heat by fermentation 
has become sufficient for the purpose, the eggs are placed in an up- 
right position, separated from nine to twelve inches apart, in this 
dunghill or artificial hot-bed, and apparently left to their fate. It 
is stated that ‘it is not an unusual event to obtain nearly a bushel 
of eggs at one time from a single heap.” Another fine bird is 
figured under the name of Leipoa ocellata, possessing the strong feet 
of the Megapodine, but in the other parts of its form evidently re- 
presenting Penelope. ‘This bird also leaves its incubation to be per- 
formed artificially : the eggs ‘‘ are deposited in a mound of sand, the 
formation of which is the work of both sexes; the inside being con- 
structed of alternate layers of dried leaves, grasses, &c., among which 
the eggs are deposited, to the number of twelve and upwards. They 
are hatched by the heat of the sun’s rays, the vegetable lining of the 
hillock retaining sufficient warmth during the night.”” This species is 
yet little known, and is from Western Australia, frequenting the bar- 
ren sandy plains of the interior, 100 miles north and east of York, 
and known to range as far northward as Gautheaume Bay. Anew 
species of Cinclosoma is figured, besides other interesting birds, and 
a very extensive list of synonyms is given, to which it would be 
useful if Mr. Gould would add the date of each author referred to. 
We are not always certain that the prior name is selected, which ap- 
pears to be the object when it is quite unobjectionable. We trust 
the work will meet with the encouragement it deserves, and are 
happy to perceive that several public institutions, both in England 
and Scotland have already given their names as subscribers. 
Alge Scandinavie exsiccate, quas distribuit Johan. Ehr. Areschoug, 
Fasc. 1. Gotteburg, 1840. 
This and the following work have been kindly addressed to us by 
the author. It is a welcome addition to the various collections of 
