106 THE ORNITHOLOGICAL GUIDE. 



never go whilst any eyes were turned on that side, 

 and seized a favorable moment so quickly, that for 

 some time no one knew where it retired ; but when 

 it was discovered, the curtains were never touched." 

 Several errors of the author have been corrected, but 

 we have noted several which have been overlooked : 

 for instance it is stated at page 395, that the Wood 

 Pigeon (Columba arborea ; C. auras of Lin.) is 

 the parent stock from which our different varieties 

 of domestic Pigeons have sprung, whereas the Ring 

 Pigeon (Columba iorquata,) is the real origin of 

 the Pigeon found in the Pigeon-cot. The English 

 nomenclature adopted by the translator is bad — 

 very bad, and he seems to have aimed like Lecleec 

 (Count of Buffbn,) at giving a single name to each 

 bird, instead of a generic and specific appellation. 

 From this circumstance, and several other indica- 

 tions, we suspect the editor to be Rennie or one 

 of his genus. 



Bechstein was born July 11, 1757, died 1822. 

 His preface to the third edition is dated 1812, and 

 we heartily join with the worthy doctor in the 

 earnest wish that the work may contribute more and 

 more to the love of that class of attractive creatures 

 with which the Creator has adorned the earth, and 

 which sing His praises so melodiously and unceas- 

 ingly ! 



