140 THE ORNITHOLOGICAL GUIDE. 



their fellow-creatures, but spend it furthering a 

 knowledge of the works of their Creator. The sys- 

 tematic portion of the work before us, and the plates 

 are by Swainson. IJe has followed the classification 

 of Vigors, with modifications by himself, which 

 appeal - to be generally, very judicious. The plates, 

 like all by this celebrated author, are soft and sub- 

 dued, but throughout there is a sad lack of spirit 

 and energy. This is the chief characteristic of all 

 the plates of this celebrated artist. The Pine 

 Thickbill (pi. LIU,) is very beautiful, but quite 

 ideal, as is that of the Wood Buzzard (pi. XXVII.) 

 Such birds do very well for the drawing room, but 

 would be sadly out of their element in the forest or 

 on the moor. The best figure in the volume is deci- 

 dedly that of the Water Willet fSeiurus aquaticus,) 

 (pi. XLIII.) The Rustycrowned Falcon (pi. XXIV.) 

 and the Northern Shrike (pi. XXXIII.) we do not 

 like — they appear too artificial. The Spotted Silvi- 

 cules (pi. XL,) are pretty bits of color, but the talent 

 of the author is more fitted for concological than 

 ornithological subjects — his shells are truly exquisite. 



Encyclopedia of Geography ; comprising a complete description of 

 the Earth, &c. Edited by Hugh Murray, 1834. 



The Zoological portion of this truly instructive and 

 entertaining work is by Swainson, who has been 

 sadly cramped by the limited space devoted to this 

 department. The principal birds and a few of their 



