324- Swainson's Birds of Western Africa. 



REVIEWS. 



Art. I. 1. Naturalist" s Library. Ornithology. Vol. VII. Birds 

 of Western Africa. By W. Swainson, Esq. Small 8vo, pp. 286, 

 34, coloured plates. Edinburgh, Lizars; London, Highley ; 1837. 

 2. Ornithological Illustrations. By Sir William Jardine and 

 P. S. Selby, Esq. New Series. Edinburgh, Lizars ; London, 

 Highley; 1837- 



Some of the valuable ornithological publications under- 

 taken during the last few years appear to have met with a 

 decree of public encouragement more nearly commensurate 

 with the labour and cost attendant upon their production, 

 than is but too frequently the case with expensive works of a 

 scientific character; and, at the present time, there is no 

 branch of natural history to the elucidation of which so much 

 original talent and comprehensive acquirement is being di- 

 rected as ornithology. Mr. Gould, now on the eve of com- 

 pleting his splendid work on the birds of Europe, has just 

 commenced an illustrated synopsis of the birds of Australia, 

 which will present us with a vast accession of new species, 

 on a scale very different to that of his former publications, 

 since it combines the three desirable features of utility, con- 

 venience, and economy ; and will, therefore, come within the 

 reach of many who may not be familiar with his previous 

 contributions to science. 



Sir William Jardine and Mr. Selby, having finished the 

 third volume of their Illustrations in Ornithology^ are now 

 engaged upon a new series having the same object in view, 

 that of delineating new and interesting species* : in addition 

 to which there is the forthcoming work of Mr. Yarrell ; and, if 

 ever the art of woodcutting has been exhibited in perfection, 

 as adapted to the illustration of zoological subjects, it is in 

 the exquisite representations of raptorial birds which are to 

 appear in his first number. 



Before us lies a volume on the birds of Western Africa, by 

 Mr. Swainson, whose pen, we all well know, has not been idle 

 of late; so that, without attempting to enumerate the various 

 important Continental works now in progress, it is plain that, 

 at least in one department of zoology, there is no deficiency 

 of labourers. 



Most of our readers, we presume, are familiar with the 

 delightful series of volumes forming the Naturalist:' 's Library; 

 and we think they will not be disappointed with the perusal of 



* The first number of this series contains the following species : — Perm's 

 apivorus, Hypsipetes ganeesa Brachypus entilotus, Ianthocincla squamata, 

 Columba princeps, Crax Yarrellii. The size of the work is imperial quarto, 

 and the plates are to be principally executed by Mr. Lear, 



