Wagler — Si/ sterna Avium. 465 



and compendious compilation. Beyond this it makes no pre» 

 tensions. 



It will probably be followed by a Manual of Ornithology by 

 the same authour, uniform, like the present, with an extensive 

 series of Manuals on all subjects of Art and Science, which is now 

 in course of publication at Paris. It is to be hoped that in this 

 and all future productions, M. Lesson will avoid the arbitrary 

 changes of names, and the useless multiplication of species, which 

 disfigure the present. 



Atlas de Maimnalogie ; Planches Ixxx. Paris ^ 1827. 



A collection of plates designed to illustrate the preceding work, 

 but sold separately. 



Systema Avium. Audor Dii. Joannes Wagler. Pars Prima. 

 Sm. Svo. pp. 412. Stuttgardice et Tubingice. 1827. 



Although perfectly unpretending in outward appearance, this 

 little volume may rank in effect among the most important and 

 desirable that have recently been published. With compilations 

 we have indeed been overwhelmed, but there has scarcely occurred 

 a single work, embracing the whole of any extensive department 

 of Zoology, to which the epithet original could be justly applied. 

 Manuals especially appeared to have become the exclusive pro- 

 perty of the mere heaper together, without discrimination and 

 without examination, of the labours of other men. In the present 

 instance the authour has taken a much higher ground, and the 

 plan which he has pursued reflects credit on his judgement and on 

 his industry. He has endeavoured to see for himself the specimens 

 which others had described, and to describe also those which 

 others had not possessed. Into the body of his work he has rarely 

 introduced a species which he has not personally observed, and 

 he has very properly placed it within the power of every one to 

 verify his accuracy, by referring throughout, except in the case of 



Vol. III. 2 g 



