ORNITHOLOGY 
OF THE 
COASTS AND. ISLANDS OF WESTERN AFRICA. 
By Dr. HARTLAUB. 

We have been long interested in the Ornithology of the Western 
Coasts of Africa and its Islands, and every collection that is re- 
ceived, however small, testifies to the value of increased research ; 
while our almost constant intercourse with that coast, both by means 
of our regular and commercial navy, induces us to bring forward 
all the information we can, as an assistance to those who may be 
willing to lend their aid. Dr. Hartlaub, of Bremen, has kindly sent 
to us a paper on the Ornithology of Western Africa, which he has 
drawn up for the Academic Gymnasium of Hamburg. It appears 
that a portion of the funds of that institution are set aside under 
the Management of a committee, for the advancement of Natural 
History, and a scientific traveller is from time to time sent out to 
explore some little known or interesting region. The introductory 
observations by Professor Wicbel will best explain this :— 
“ Although for centuries the West African Coast and Islands 
have at many points been taken possession of by Europeans, and 
Visited by ships without number, yet they are so little known im re- 
ference to natural history, that the Association for Natural Science 
'n this country, and the museum committee, have especially taken 
upon themselves to employ in the interest of science, the mercantile 
expeditions which gail from this port, so far as their own power and 
the readiness of the freighters and captains allow. The Association 
found a support in this endeavour, well worthy of thanks, in the 
munificence of the Portuguese consul-general, Mr. Ribeiro dos 
Sanctos, who offered them a free station and passage for a natu- 
talist, to be sent out in one of their ships which sailed in the end 
of June, 1841, to the Portuguese possessions on the Western Coast 
of Africa. The great expectations joined with this magnanimous 
attempt, were, alas! not to be fulfilled, as our traveller, Mr. Wrede, 
fell 4 victim to the fatal fever of the climate, at Novo Redondo, a 
te : : : ; ; : 
“W weeks after his arrival in Benguela, which also carried off the 
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