REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
389 
brown,” but our author s figure—taken from the only specimen he has seen—is 
spotless. 
The Language of Birds : comprising poetic and prose Illustrations of the most 
favourite Cage Birds. With twelve highly-coloured plates. By Mrs. G. Spratt. 
London: Saunders and Otley. 1837. 12mo. Gilt edges. 
Some authors write for fame or notoriety, others (we are assured) are ac¬ 
tuated solely from a wish to benefit their fellow-creatures, and a mrg small par-- 
tion to benefit themselves. Now I must candidly confess that I am not suffi¬ 
ciently ambitious to be influenced by the first consideration, nor am I philan¬ 
thropist enough to brave the censures of a very amiable set of gentlemen known 
by the title of critics^ to be induced to write entirely for the second motive ; but 
as for the last, perhaps it may have as much weight with me as it has with some 
who disdain to acknowledge it. 
Having frequently assisted others in their endeavours to amuse or instruct 
the public, as well as having presented a trifle or two of my own, although not 
in propria persona^ which the said public were kind enough to approve, I am 
induced once more to venture forth, and to solicit further indulgence and pa¬ 
tronage for the present work.”—^p. 2. 
That the field naturalist should find much novel matter in a book similar in plan to 
the present is not to be expected. But the descriptions and anecdotes will doubtless 
please many to whom abstruser reading would be tedious and uninteresting. 
That it contains some mistakes also, is not surprising, although the authoress 
appears to be in possession of a few good modern authorities ,* and if she be really 
us fond of the feathered race as she expresses herself—of which we have no doubt 
—we see no reason why she should not occasionally observe her little favourites 
in their natural state, and endeavour to add something new or interesting to our 
present knowledge. Depend upon it she would derive far greater pleasure from 
studying birds at large to noticing them in captivity. We approve the tendency 
of the following quotation :■— 
“ I have a great dislike to robbing birds of their dearly cherished offspring, and have always en¬ 
deavoured to make children sensible of the cruelty of destroying either their nests or eggs being 
one day in the country, I met a little boy with a nest thrust into his hat, containing one poor, 
piserable, perishing, half-fledged little creature. I accosted him by asking if he were aware of 
his cruelty, and how would he like any great over-grown monster to tear him from his 
fond mother, his|indulgent father, and expose him naked to the wind and rain? (for 
it was then raining fast.) His reply was—^ Why, Marm, mm or six on us chaps have agreed to 
ze who can get most nestes^ so we takes ali as we can find.’ ^ And was there only this one in the 
nest you have taken ?’ ^ Noa^ there wttr three more, but Tom Snooks would get up the tree 
too ; so you ze as how he said he seed the nest furst | but I did him, for I got hold of the nest, 
. and while he was trying to grab the young ’uns out of it, two fell into the bushes under us, and 
while he was looking for them, I bolted with this here un and the nest.’ ^ And what are you 
going to do with it ?’ ‘ To take it to Varmer Stubbs,’ * And what will Farmer Stubbs do with 
