120 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Guide to the Gallery of Birds in the Department of Zoology of the 

 British Museum (Natural History). Printed by order of Trustees. 

 A national museum should serve two great objects — the pro- 

 motion of science in its strictest sense, and the general instruction 

 of the public ; by the publications of the last few years the 

 Director and Trustees of the British Museum have shown that 

 they have both these objects very strongly in view. This Guide 

 has been prepared by Mr. W. E. Ogilvie-Grant, contains twenty- 

 four plates, and seven illustrations — some of which have been pre- 

 pared by Mr. R B. Lodge — and is issued at the small cost of two 

 shillings and sixpence. We have sometimes wished that visitors, 

 might at intervals, be personally conducted through the galleries 

 by a competent naturalist, so that some lasting information 

 beyond mere interesting recollection would be acquired ; if, 

 however, guide-books like this can come into any general use, 

 very much of that object will be attained. There is no doubt 

 that this Guide constitutes a general introduction to a knowledge 

 of birds ; Orders and Families are followed in sequence, with 

 reference to the numbered cases in which the illustrating speci- 

 mens are contained, and a mass of information is scattered 

 throughout its pages relating to food, nesting, habits, distribu- 

 tion, and other matters, which may give a knowledge and love 

 of natural history to those multitudes who can never have the 

 opportunity and seldom the desire to become thorough students 

 of zoology. These publications fulfil a very important function 

 in national education, they become in the very highest degree 

 guides to nature study, they introduce the public to an ade- 

 quate appreciation of the fauna of this planet, and they like- 

 wise — and this is also important — give the British taxpayer an 

 experience that at least some of the national expenditure is 

 devoted to worthy ends, and might on these lines be increased to 

 the advantage of the commonwealth. We believe " Guides " 

 written on the lines of this one are of great public utility, and 

 we trust that means may be found to increase their circulation 

 among the weary sightseers who may be often seen aimlessly 

 perambulating the galleries with a " Tussaud " appreciation of 

 the marvels of animal life. We also hope that other similar 

 guides will soon follow this one. An " Appendix on the Struc- 

 ture of Birds " adds to the value of the publication, and will 

 assist those who are prepared to go farther in the study. 



