REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
103 
the geologist, pondering on cataclysms, central fire, convulsions, and revolutions, 
and dreaming of the overturning of the primeval forests and their conversion into 
beds of Coal, looks up and admires the busy creatures, whose thoughtless glee has 
disturbed the workings of the mighty genius which had almost completed the 
creation of a world.” 
“ If any of ray readers should be curious to know how an author may contrive to talk a great 
deal about nothing, he may consult the article Crested Tit in an amusing work entitled The 
Feathered Tribes of the British Islands.” 1 —p. 452. 
After all, the article in question barely extends to two pages, one-fourth of the 
whole being occupied by the description of length, plumage, &c.; and we must 
think the remaining space more usefully occupied than some portions of Mr. M‘G.’s 
work. However, opinions may differ on that point. 
A nest-of the Long-tailed Tit, mentioned at p. 458, contained eighteen young birds , 
nearly fledged. The lovely architecture of this curious little bird is familiar to 
most ornithologists, and is well known almost invariably to possess but one hole, 
though instances of two holes in the same nest are on record. The author ob- 
© 
serves (p. 458) that the feathers lining the nest, when shaken together, 44 suffice 
to fill a • hat of moderate phrenological pretensions, although not exactly mine, 
which belongs to what may be called a dunderhead.” 
The volume concludes with a very pleasant chapter on 44 Practical Ornithology,” 
and here we too must be drawing to a close. The author promises us three more 
volumes, and states that the length of interval between the publication of each 
will in some measure depend on the support received. Barring what may be 
considered some trifling blemishes, it is a long time since we have read a more 
freshly original, a more instructive, or a more valuable work of the kind than 
that of Mr. MacGillivray, as far as it has gone; and we are glad to notice a 
great improvement in the general character of the illustrations in the present 
volume. 
Supplement to the History of British Fishes. By William Yarrell, F.L.S., 
V.P.Z.S. Illustrated with Woodcuts. In two Parts. London: John Van 
Voorst. 1839. 8vo. pp. 72. 
This Supplement includes several new fishes discovered since the publication 
of the History. The style of description and illustration is in no way inferior to 
that of the body of the work, and it is to be regretted that we have not at pre¬ 
sent room even to furnish an outline of the contents of the book. The numerous 
additions to the catalogue of native fishes must be accepted as a gratifying proof 
of the zeal and ability of British ichthyologists. 
