REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
101 
quantity of minute fragments of Quartz and other hard,, minerals, seldom met 
with in the gizzards of Sylvice , 44 so that with respect to feeding it resembles the 
Larks and Thrushes.” 
si Mr. Neville Wood remarks that 6 none of our smaller British birds (the Fieldfare Thrush 
excepted) will build in a tree or bush which already contains a nest, whether that nest be deserted 
or not.’ I have seen, however, in a Honeysuckle bower three nests of small birds, namely, th e 
Thrush, the Green Linnet, and the Hedge Chanter; and Sparrows sometimes build among Rooks’ 
nests. That successful observer of the habits of birds has given a very detailed and most accurate 
account of those of the present species, which I therefore beg leave to recommend to notice; but 
from which I must refrain from making extracts, being anxious to relate as little as possible of the 
observations of others.”—p. 256. 
Mr. MacGillivray says (p. 267) he has never met with the Robin Red¬ 
breast’s nest in a tree, shrub, or hedge. We have occasionally seen it in a low 
bush, and during the present year (1830) found one in the midst of a thick 
Hawthorn hedge. 
Our author states that the blood of the Robin Redbreast has a singularly bitter 
and nauseous taste, as he happened accidentally to ascertain by removing with 
his mouth some drops from one which he intended for description. 
44 At its arrival and previous to its departure, it [the Fallow Chat] is generally in good condition, 
and, its flesh being very delicate and sapid, it is caught in the Southern paits of England in great 
numbers, and sold in the markets at a high price. In Scotland, however, I have not heard of its 
being used as an article of food, although I am entitled from experience to commend the good taste 
of those who consider it a delicacy. The eggs are still more delicious; but as a truly aristocrati c 
food, especially for nervous females and hysterical dandies, I can more conscientiously recommend 
those of the Golden-crested Kinglet and Blue Tit.”—p. 295. 
Mr. M 4 G. is convinced that the Redstart shakes its tail 44 vertically, i. e ., up 
and down, and not alternately to either side,” as has been supposed. In the 
British Sony Birds , no positive statement is made in this particular; but our 
observation has since accorded with that of our author. 
The greater part of the history of the Nightingale is written by Audubon, ex¬ 
pressly for the work under notice. He observes (p. 328) that he has 44 seen tlje 
young, when not much more than half-fledged, leave the nest, and hop about its 
vicinity during the day, but return towards evening, and huddle together, their 
mother covering them with due care.” Fully-fledged birds will often thus return 
to the nest at dusk of evening, unless the locality be much frequented; and some¬ 
times, if the nest be more freely handled than comports with the proprietor’s ideas 
of propriety, young birds a few days old, and almost wholly featherless, will 
immediately disappear. In such cases it is presumed they are successively 
carried off by one or both parents. We are not, however, aware that this remark 
wilf apply to Nightingales. Mr. Audubon appears to consider the song of the 
Linnet, Wood Lark, Goldfinch, &c., fully equal to that of the Nightingale, in 
which, probably, but few readers will agree with him. He moreover states that 
