228 
ornithology, it is needless to enumerate the very many works that have been pub¬ 
lished, in one shape or other, on the birds of the different kingdoms.*’ It is true 
that he presents us with a long “ list of the chief geographic ornithological works, 
arranged under the five zoological provinces,” and intimates his wish to enumerate 
“ such works only as are absolutely essential to an ornithological student, or are 
eminently beautiful in their execution.” The “ ornithological student,” however, 
that Mr. Swainson has in his eye, must be some “ Prince Maximilian” or the 
“ Prince of Musignano since none but princes are likely to obtain one quarter 
of the expensive works he has enumerated. We have no objection to know that, 
by an outlay of about three hundred and fifty pounds, we may possess some of the 
most splendid works on “ illustrative ornithology ;” but this golden Tantalian cup 
may glance in the eyes of the poor student, but must glitter in vain. We think, 
therefore, that Mr. Swainson should have condescended to recommend a few 
standard works which any one could readily purchase for five or ten pounds. As 
he has not done so, we at once say that the beginner may be very well satisfied 
with Bewick’s British Birds , Mudie’s Birds , Bechstein’s Cage Birds , Neville 
Wood’s British Song Birds , and Selby’s Illustrations of British Ornithology , 
if his pocket will allow, for the price of the latter is fourteen pounds: as the 
letter-press of Selby may, however, be had separately for a guinea, the plates may 
be dispensed with pro tempore. The first edition of Montagu’s Ornithological 
Dictionary obtained if practicable, and certainly Mr. Swainson’s publications in 
the Cabinet Cyclopaedia. Of course, The Naturalist will be examined each 
month, as it is indipensable for the student to possess a periodical on his favourite 
pursuit. Now this really is to the purpose; and Temminckand Gould may follow 
when gold sufficient can be found; but the Planches Enluminees (forty-eight 
pounds), Le Vaillant’s Birds of Paradise , &c. (thirty-two pounds), and others, 
recommended by Mr. Swainson, seem to us out of the question, except for splen¬ 
did libraries. 
Mr. Swainson has entered at some length upon the “ laws of nomenclature,” 
with regard to birds. This subject, however, claims, and must have, distinct notice, 
which would be out of place here. Just, though severe, reproaches are thrown 
out against the “ wholesale coinage of complimentary names which now begin to 
crowd every page of our catalogues, almost to the exclusion of those by which 
the species can, in some degree, be made known. Surely there are other ways of 
expressing our thanks or gratitude to those who assist our labours, than by this 
very cheap mode of cancelling the obligation. This prostitution of what was once 
a scientific honour, but which is now within the reach of almost every one, how¬ 
ever ignorant of science, or merely following it as a trade.” We have always 
thought that the crowd of names now proposed as carelessly as a <e how-d’ye-do ?” 
must eventually be obliterated.—common sense demands it; for if “ John Jones” 
is sent up into the air as a Kite under the name of Jonesii, what is to distinguish 
