142 THE ORNITHOLOGICAL GUIDE. 



Compendium of the Ornithology of Britain. Br John Atkinson, 

 1820. 



A useful work when it first appeared, but now totally 

 useless. The system followed is that of Linneus ! 

 with an occasional improvement from Shaw's General 

 Zoology. A work on a similar plan would he useful 

 now, if in accordance with the more philosophical 

 views now taken. It should contain the principal 

 synonyms, the prominent characters, and a descrip- 

 tion of the plumage of each species. 



The Birds of Scotland; a Poem, by Graham. 12mo. 1806. 

 Edinburgh. 



A sweet little work, overflowing with true poetry, — 

 different, very different from the vulgar effusions of 

 Jennings. The verses flow smoothly and harmoni- 

 ously, and what is of more importance, are true to 

 nature. It is to be regretted that we have not more 

 works of this kind, and the incidental touches of 

 Scot, Rogers, and Charlotte Smith do but whet 

 the inclination for more. We should 'for instance, 

 like to see " the Birds of Britain, a Poem," an- 

 nounced, and now that ideality is not thought foreign 

 to Natural History, we have no doubt of such a 

 work succeeding. 



