Bibliographical Notices. 223 



iantic, southward to those of Sphacteria whose precipices are laved 



by the waters of the eastern Mediterranean, I have remarked that the 



rock-dove equally finds a home ; as it likewise does in islets from the 



high and rugged promontory of Oe, in I slay, off the south-western 



coast of Scotland, to the * Isles of Greece.' " 

 afoBJ 



If from considering the range of species, and the circumstances 

 which invest them with adventitious interest, we confine our attention 

 to individual species as observed in Ireland, we find abundance of 

 material, carefully collected and judiciously brought together. Under 

 this head we might refer to the full and accurate manner in which 

 the food of each is noted, after the author's personal examination of 

 the contents of the stomachs of different individuals. His critical 

 knowledge of species, both of plants and of those invertebrate animals 

 that afford the means of subsistence to numerous families of birds, 

 becomes here of great importance, and has enabled him to treat this 

 part of his subject with a completeness which is rare, if not un- 

 equaled. 



The number of quails which appear to winter in Ireland, forms a 

 singular point of contrast between Great Britain and the sister 

 island. The woodcock, on which notes of the highest interest are 

 given, suggests a similar comparison. But perhaps there is no species 

 which offers more numerous topics than the heron (Ardea cinerea) . 

 We are accustomed in Britain to regard it as solitary in its habits 

 during the winter ; in the Bay of Belfast it becomes gregarious, and 

 flocks of from thirty to sixty are mentioned. Their appearance, 

 whether perched on trees, congregated in meadows and ploughed 

 fields, or mustered on the beach, is described — sometimes as seen in 

 bright sunshine, and at others as they pursue their piscatory vocation 

 by the light of the moon. 



The book abounds with anecdotes illustrative of habits, and told 

 in a most attractive style. We might refer as examples of this to the 

 land-rail (vol. ii. p. 317), or to the heron in confinement (vol. ii. 

 p. 152). Perhaps however a still more attractive little "bit" of 

 biography may be found in the history of a pet magpie, vol. i. p. 334, 

 or that of three redbreasts, vol. i. p. 167. 



One who studies, as Mr. Thompson has done, the habits of birds 

 amid their native haunts, where alone the true enjoyment of orni- 

 thological pursuits can be felt, is brought at times into the midst of 

 scenery, which the mind that is alive to what is beautiful in nature, 

 cannot contemplate unmoved. It is but natural therefore that the 

 author should occasionally turn from the birds to the scenery in which 

 they are found. Of this we have examples in vol. ii. pp. 55, 246. 



On the whole, we have no hesitation in saying that this book must 

 take its place by the side of those which are justly regarded as 

 standard works on Ornithology. Its facts will commend it to the man 

 of science, and the manner in which they are conveyed will win for it 

 a ready admission to many a domestic circle. We hail it as a valuable 

 addition to our literature, and shall look forward with impatience for 

 the remaining volumes. 



