70 
REPORT ON ZOOLOGY, MDCCCXLII : 
the Anisodactylce oi Europe and America white or slightly flesh-coloured, 
scattered with dark brick-red spots or points. Most of those species, of 
all orders, which nest in the hollows of trees, have altogether white or 
very pale coloured eggs. 
To the common remark, that in tropical regions, there are a greater 
number of birds which build covered nests than in moderate climates, 
Hill adds his observations, according to which, in the West Indian 
Islands, the nests, with the exception of those of the Pigeons and Hum- 
ming Birds, have ahnost always circular coverings, composed of dry grass, 
with wool, moss, and feathers interwoven. He imagines that the eggs 
are thus protected from the many severe hurricanes, as well as from the 
hurtful effects of electricity and dazzling light. (Ann. of Nat. Hist. ix. 
p. 145.) 
The eleventh number of Berge’s Fortpflanzung der Vogel has been 
published. The plates of the nests and eggs of birds, which belong to 
Oken’s Atlas, are very useful. 
Two books of instruction, for the preparation of Birds, fall to be 
noticed, viz. : — 
Brehim, die Kunst Vogel als Balge ziibereiteii, auszustopfen, 
&c. Weim. | Thlr. Eick, Anleit. fiir Naturaliensammler, 
wie Vogel, Saugthiere, &c., conservirt werden konnen. Stuttg. 
J Thlr. “ Kurze Anweisung, naturhist. Gegenstande eiiizn- 
sammeln und zuzubereiteii.” This has appeared in the Calwer 
Vereinsbuch-handlung ; and is very useful for collectors in 
foreign countries. 
Kuhlmann, de absentia furculse in Psittaco pullario. Diss. 
inaug. Kiel, 1842. 
It is remarkable, that in this species, the furcule is constantly wanting, 
whilst, in the other parrots, hitherto examined, it is always present. 
Osteologie der Vogelfiisse, von Kessler in Petersburg. 
(Bullet, de Mosc. 1841, hi. p. 465, and iv. p. 626.) 
The reporter willingly confesses, that in consequence of this fundamen- 
tal and copious work, he resigns a great portion of the species, which in 
the past year were published as new. The osteology of a part of the body, 
the form of which has the closest relation with the habits of the bird, is 
here examined with care ; and, at the same time, a very important point 
d^appui has been gained for the classification of birds, as well as for the 
definition of their fossil species. The author’s researches extend over 
all the orders and famiKes of Birds ; and it is only to be regretted, that 
he did not choose, for his ground work, the system of Nitzsch, which 
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