No. 7. J THE AUSTRAL AVIAN RECORD 173 



given a scientific review of bird knowledge, incorporating 

 his own observations on British birds. Hence, upon opening 

 the book, we commonly find only two lines of poetry on the 

 page, the remainder being occupied by the explanatory notes. 

 As instance: "There were Woodcocks (10), and Snipes, 

 both Grallatoes of fame. Now distinguished, ah me ! 

 in our annals as Game." The next four and a half pages (bar 

 the usual two lines of poetry at the head of the psge) are 

 occupied by the explanation of (10), beginning : " Order, 

 Gralla} (Linn), Woodcock, Snipe, Curlew, Godwit, Green- 

 shank, etc. The genus Scolopax (Linn. ) to wliich the Woodcock, 

 Scolopax Rusticola, belongs, consists of fifty-six or more species, 

 of which fifteen are common to this country." Then the 

 genus is characterised and the Woodcock, Common Snipe, 

 Great Snipe, Jack Snipe, Jaclreka Snipe, Spotted Snipe, 

 Godwit, etc., etc., are all described, and general habits, nests 

 and eggs and odd notes given. As these notes are based 

 more or less on Latham.'s General History of Birds, they are 

 comparatively accurate. The poem is in two parts, the first- 

 dealing with British and European Birds and occupying 

 pages 99-298, and the second of Foreign Birds, pages 301-436. 

 A glossary of terms of four pages follows, and then th,e Index, 

 covering pages 441-468 and completely citing the vernaculars 

 and scientific names used in tliis work. 



The first nearly 100 pages is worthy of note, as after the 

 preface of xiv. pages, contents and addenda and corrigenda 

 run to p. XXIX. The Introduction takes up 96 pages and 

 begins with a piece of poetry of general interest, noting well- 

 known places round London where birds could be observed. 

 As he states he lived most of his life in Somersetshire, apparently 

 he came to London before this book was written. Towards 

 the end of the piece of poetry he gives a long note regarding 

 birds' nests. 



At page 26 he drops poetry altogether and deals in prose 

 with the Natural History of Birds, first quoting Linne's 

 Genera of Birds, then noting Pennant, Latham and Brisson, 

 writing : " it is hoped nothing of importance in the Natural 

 History of Birds has been omitted." Then follows the 



