Recently published Ornithological Works. 351 



is to be completed in some seven parts, with 191 plates of 

 specimens from the author's collection, which he hopes 

 will represent the variations found in Nature more completely 

 than has been the case in other works of a similar descrip- 

 tion. A short introduction is prefixed to every family 

 with more than one Dutch species, while each plate is 

 faced by a page giving in tabulated, form particulars of 

 the colour, size, shape, texture of shell, number, and weight 

 of the eggs, with a description of the materials and position 

 o£ the nest (if any), the duration of incubation, and the 

 time of breeding. 



In the part before us the writer's intentions have been 

 carried out most successfully, and we may call special notice 

 to the information as to the pigments found in the outer- 

 most chalky layer. The specimens on the plates are 

 exceedingly well chosen, and the reproductions of them 

 . are beautiful. 



The reader should be warned that the details of the 

 nesting-habits refer only to the Avritcr's country, or he may 

 be astonished to find that the Raven breeds only in trees, the 

 Jay chiefiy in pines, the Chaffinch in trees, and so forth ; 

 while the Nuthatch is said to place a heap of vegetable 

 matter beneath its eggs. 



Under the head of the Family the species are often 

 grouped according to the style of their eggs, and com- 

 parisons are made with those of birds outside the Netherland 

 area. 



The Families treated are Corvidce, Oriolidce, Laniidce, 

 Sturnida, Fringillidce, Alaudidce, Motacillidce, Certhiidce, 

 Sittidce, Paridce, Panuridce, Regulida, Troglody tides, Accen- 

 toridcp, and Sylviidce. 



We congratulate the author on the general excellence of 

 his work, and look forward to the future parts dealing 

 with other groups. 



