338 
REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
Then follow the eggs of the Ortolan Bunting {Emheriza hortulanw)^ which 
we believe we have never seen. They bear considerable resemblance to those of 
the Yellow and Keed Buntings. The third figure is destitute of streaks, and isj 
we suspect, of much less frequent occurrence than the other two. 
The next plate includes eggs of the Greylag Goose (Anser palustris^ Flem.) 
and Bean Goose (A. ferusj. They scarcely present any point of difference. 
Mr. Hewitson did not succeed in meeting with the Greylag Goose in his tour in 
Norway, hut, from the information he obtained, believes that it breeds upon* 
the high inland grounds. The Bean Goose is not uncommon in Britain. The 
flesh of one shot near Doncaster last year was by no means unpalatable. 
Three eggs of the Merlin Falcon (Falco sssalon, Temm.) are represented on^ 
the following plate. The second and third varieties are rare, as every oological 
collector knows. They are finely executed. 
We are then presented with two splendid illustrations, being the eggs of the 
Whistling Swan {Cygnusferu8) and Bewick's Swan (C. Bewickii, Yarrell). 
The reason of attaching the name of the great wood-engraver to this species 
is best known, doubtless, to the eminent individual who gave the bird its pre¬ 
sent distinctive appellation. Had the excellent rules for nomenclature propounded 
by Mr. Swainson been attended to in this instance, Cygnus Bei&ickii would,, 
however, never have been admitted. To the occasional and judicious commemo¬ 
ration of the services of eminent naturalists in this way, we, like Mr. Swainson,. 
do not object; it is only the abuse we reprobate. 
“ Like the larger species, the Little Bustard {Otis tetrax) lays its eggs upon 
the bare ground. They are said to be from three to five in number, ‘ of a clear, 
shining, grass-green colour, without spot or stain.' This is, I think, most likely 
an oversight, and that the faint undefined spots may have been overlooked. Any 
one who had previously seen the eggs of the Greater Bustard, would look for a 
similar character in those of the present species, and he would be pleased in ob¬ 
serving the close resemblance which they bear to each other, distinct as they are- 
from those of all other birds. I would, however, by no means dispute the fact 
that there may be spotless varieties." 
Plate cxxxi. is dedicated to the eggs of the Spotted Tringa ( Tringa maculariay 
Linn.). The difference between the figures, both in shape and color, is striking. 
Both the eggs represented by our author are American specimens.—The number 
closes with an excellent figure of the egg of the Bock Gossak {Asturpalumharius'),. 
This bird is mentioned in the Fauna Orcadensis as being rather common in the 
Orkneys; but Mr. Hewitson suspects that the reverend ornithologist has mis¬ 
taken the species, as the Gossak is not now to be met with there. According to 
Mr. J. D. Hoy this bird breeds in the same nest several successive years. Mr. 
Selby informs us that the eggs are marked with spots and streaks of reddish 
