Recent Ornithological Publications. 



537 



In a series of articles bearing a title which at first sight 

 would not be supposed to have much reference to ornithology, 

 and published in the popular magazine called 'Good Words, 

 the Duke of Argyll has some considerations to which we would 

 desire to direct our readers' attention. We do not wish to 

 follow his Grace into the discussion of the Darwinian theory, to 

 which he is firmly, though temperately, opposed ; but among 

 other illustrations of the universal "Reign of Law," in the 

 Number for February last, the noble author adduces the prin- 

 ciples on which the Flight of Birds is conducted, and especially 

 gives an account of the mechanical laws appealed to in order to 

 make the vital force effective in the accomplishment of that act. 

 As this subject has lately been treated of in these pages, the 

 Duke's remarks may be advantageously compared with the 

 opinions expressed by Captain Hutton in our last Number 

 (pp. 294-298) ; meanwhile we may congratulate ornithologists 

 generally on the adhesion to their number of so calm a thinker 

 and so agreeable a writer as the present Lord Privy Seal. 



We believe that, strange as it may seem, all lovers of birds 

 are especially lovers of the birds of prey. Mr. Brodrick's 

 series of half a dozen beautiful plates will therefore necessarily 

 be as much favourites with the ornithologist as they are " Fal- 

 coner's Favourites"^. The species represented, being those 

 used in Falconry in this country, have of course been often 

 figured before ; but the fidelity with which they are drawn makes 

 them exceedingly welcome. Mr. Brodrick particularly excels in 

 designing birds in the act of flight. No one who has seen it 

 will forget the plunging stoop of the Barbary Falcon, in the 

 work which he formerly illustrated ; and in the present publica- 

 tion we have a Hobby in chase of a Skylark as truthfully 

 represented. Next to Mr. Wolf, Mr. Brodrick must certainly 

 rank as an artist of birds ; and where violent action is concerned it 

 is doubtful whether he does not even surpass that great draughts- 

 man. The most scientific of our ornithological brethren may 

 learn something from an inspection of these plates ; and cold 



* Falconer's Favourites. By W. Brodrick, one of the authors of 

 ' Falconry in the British Islands.' London : 1865 (Van Voorst). Folio. 



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