£22 
ON THE CLASSIFICATION OP BIRDS. 
particular branch. e shall begin with those works of 
the last century which stiU retain their value as standard 
books of reference, and, after enumerating those of a 
later date, proceed to make a selection of such as would 
constitute a magnificent and uniform series, worthy the 
library of a potentate. 
List of Illustrative Works in Ornithology which are of 
standard excellence and authority. 
Planches Enluminees. A Collection of one thousand and eight 
plates of Birds, generally known under this title, whicli are 
intended to accompany the original edition of Buft'on’s His- 
toire Naturelle des Oiseaux. Paris, 1770-1776. 10 vol. 
folio, or in imperial quarto. 
This collection of figures owes its celebrity more to the 
absence of any other, equally extensive, than to any merit the 
figures themselves possess, either of accuracy or of execution : 
the greatest praise that can be given them is, that they are 
generally recognisable, and can be identified with the birds 
themselves ; more, however from the colouring, than from 
the accuracy of the drawing. They are all referred to in 
the several editions of Bufibn, and are printed both on a 
folio and on a quarto size ; .about nine represent insects, 
reptiles, and corals: the remainder are entirely of birds. 
Temminck and Laugier. Nouveau Uecueil de Planches 
Colorees d’Oiseaux, pourservirde suite et complement aux 
Phinchcs Enluminees de Bufibn, d’apres les Desseinsde Huet 
et PrMre. Paris, 1820-1835. 
In the mechanical parts of its execution this is a very 
beautiful work, the paper and printing are of the best descrip- 
tion, and the plates are admirably engraved and coloured • 
but the drawing is not faithful, nor is the colouring Generally 
natural ; the figures are stiff and formal, and they are all 
put into nearly the same attitudes. The descriptions of the 
birds are meagre, and for the most part relate to the mere 
colour of the plumage. Occasionally, however, more 
extended remarks are introduced on certain genera, as tliat 
of Buceros, for inshmce, which are really valuable ; but the 
total absence of synonyms, specific characters, and scien- 
tific descriptions of the form, structure, or habits of the birds 
themselves, renders this work far inferior to what it might 
have been, and what the scientific world expected, from the 
reputation of its authors. Ihe publication is conducted so 
