86 ornithologist's text-book. 



the whole volume is characterised by the good 

 taste which pervades the other works of this excel- 

 lent Ornithologist. The volume commences with 

 a portrait and memoir of Pliny. Upon the whole, 

 the Naturalist's Library may be considered rather 

 as anornamental than a useful work. 



Outline of the Smaller British Birds, intended 

 for Ladies and Young Persons. By R. A. Slaney, 

 Esq., M.P. Second edition. London. ]2mo. 

 4s. 6d. 1833. 



This is an excellent and an original work, and 

 well adapted for the purpose for which it is in- 

 tended. A short extract will give some idea of 

 it: — 



" The little Blue Titmouse, with a yellow breast, 

 is very common, very pert, mischievous, and 

 amusing ; it has the provincial name of nun, we 

 suppose, from some fancied resemblance of the 

 white broad patches on its cheeks to the plain 

 white head-dress of some religious order, — cer- 

 tainly from no similarity in manners to a female 

 devotee ; on the contrary, we have often thought 

 its note very like scolding. ( It visits the farm 

 yard, and is partial to oats, which it plucks out ; 

 and, retiring to a neighbouring bush, fixes the 

 grain between its claws, and hammers with the 

 bill to break the husk.' * ****** 



" No bird attacks the Owl, in the day-time, witli 

 greater fierceness than our Blue Titmouse; buffet- 

 ing its venerable adversary, erecting its feathers, 

 screaming for aid, and in every way expressing its 

 impotent rage." p. 108 — 9. 



The work is written throughout in a familiar 

 style, and is well adapted for youth. The wood- 



