ornithologist's text-book. 25 



el des Todiers, par A. G. Desmarest. Paris. 1805. 

 folio. 



All the writings of this excellent Ornithologist 

 are deserving of the closest attention. Besides the 

 above work, he has written several articles in the 

 Bulletin des Sciences Naturelles, Dictionnaire 

 d'Histoire Naturelle, Journal des Mines, and 

 other French periodicals of less note. 



British Miscellany, by James Sowerby, F.L.S. 

 London. 1806. Vol. I. 8vo. 



We have only seen the first volume of this work, 

 and are not aware of any more having appeared. 

 As regards Ornithology it is not of much use, 

 nearly all the birds figured as new or rare species, 

 being merely varieties of those which are well 

 known. 



American Ornithology ; or Natural History of 

 the Birds of the United States, by Alexander Wil- 

 son. 13 vols. 4to. Philadelphia. 1808. 



This work is so well known, as almost to render 

 a particular notice or recommendation unneces- 

 sary. His descriptions of birds are wholly unri- 

 valled, even at the present day, except perhaps by 

 those of Audubon. The style is vigorous and 

 eloquent, and the descriptions of habits and man- 

 ners minute and interesting in the extreme. Per- 

 haps there never existed an individual better 

 calculated for observing Nature, and for recording 

 faithfully her wonders, than Alexander Wilson. 

 The coloured figures also are very accurate, al- 

 though there is a want of finish about them. Well 



