The Zoologist— November, 1866. 495 



bounded by a land mark as rigidly observed as those of neighbours iu 

 a well-regulated kingdom, and wisely and accurately adapted to the 

 nature and habits of the bird. 



" Far above, out of harm's reach, the dark and gloaming shags were 

 resting on their nests, constructed on projections apparently not half 

 big enough to hold them, and looking no bigger than rooks." — p. 56. 



Were I disposed to be critical, I could readily point out half a 

 dozen little mistakes that might have easily been avoided: as an 

 instance, Mr. Crichton quotes, and with apparent approbation, the 

 following passage from Stanley's Birds in reference to the gannet's 

 plunging with such great force : — " This velocity is so prodigious that 

 the force with which it strikes the surface of the water is sufficient to 

 stun a bird not prepared for such a blow, or to force the water up its 

 nostrils. But the gannet has nothing to fear from either of these 

 causes, the front of the head being covered with a sort of horuy mask, 

 which gives it a singularly wild appearance ; and it has no nostrils, a 

 deficiency amply remedied by the above-mentioned reservoirs of air 

 and capacity for keeping them always filled." — p. 96. Mr. Crichton 

 must be aware of the numerous errors contained in this short sentence, 

 and therefore I think should not have quoted it as illustrative of his 

 subject. In the first place, the existence of the reservoirs of air is 

 very apocryphal, and were it otherwise these reservoirs could not 

 supply the place of nostrils : in the second place, the bird possesses 

 nostrils, although somewhat concealed. But the entire passage is ob- 

 jectionable, and should not be quoted and left without correction. 

 Instances of this want of care are not numerous, and can easily be 

 remedied in future editions. 



In conclusion, I may cordially recommend this little book, both to 

 those who meditate a trip to the Orkneys, and to those who, unable or 

 unwilling to brave the dangers of the seas, still love to visit these wild 

 scenes in imagination, while cosily seated by their own fireside. 



Edward Newman. 



The ' Dictionary of British Birds.' — 



Bunting, Little (Einberiza pusilla, Pall.). — Omitted in the 'Dictionary.' A speci- 

 men taken alive at Brighton on the 2nd of November, 1864, and showing no traces of 

 captivity, is recorded by Mr. Dawson Rowley, in the 'Ibis' for 1865, p. 113. It was 

 forwarded to Mr. Gould, who drew its portrait for his work on the Birds of Britain. 



Gallinule, Purple (Poiphyrio hyacinthinus, Tern.). — Omitted in the ' Dictionary.' 

 Specimens of the purple waterhen seem to have occurred in Britain repeatedly, but 



