140 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
Our portrait of Dr. Bevan is taken from an oil-painting (by Mr. Edward 
Smith, of Hereford), which was kindly lent to us for the purpose. We are 
happy to state that the portrait of Dr. Latham was very favourably received, 
both by subscribers and by the public press. The lithograph of Dr. Bevan in 
our present number is in some points even superior to the former. 
CORRESPONDENC E. 
On the Nests and Eggs of British Birds. 
To the Editor of The Naturalist. 
Sir, —I write to you in behalf of myself and a few young friends in this 
neighbourhood, who are commencing the study of “ Oology.” On referring to 
your valuable Text-book , I find it stated, at p. 17, that Lewin’s Birds of Great 
Britain contains a figure of the egg of each species, but that 44 these are often 
inexact and badly coloured.” The only other work of the kind which you men¬ 
tion, either in the Ornithologists Text-book or The Naturalist , is Hewitson’s 
British Oology; and the high approbation which you award to it, induced me, 
like a prudent tyro, to inquire the price at a neighbouring bookseller’s. I was 
informed that it was sold at 3s. Qd. a number, or about £2. 2s. each volume. 
Now I appeal to you, Mr. Editor, if this be not too high a price for the work ? 
At ail events, it was a forbidding one to me, and, I doubt not, to numbers of my 
fellow-students. Lacking plates, coloured or plain, perhaps you will not take it 
amiss if I express a wish that you would publish a few articles on British Oology 
in your Magazine. My former plan was to have collected whatever eggs I could 
find, and make out their names by Hewitson. I am now desirous of being 
instructed in the localities of nests, and the mode of going to work, which may 
perhaps be a more scientific method than the other. 
The very high price at which works on Natural History are published, as 
compared with those on most other subjects, must be a drawback upon their sale, 
and a great inconvenience to intending purchasers. Strange to say, moreover, 
this applies more especially to the better class of books. 
Your favourable attention to the 44 prayer” of your 44 humble petitioner” will 
much oblige. I am not aware that the publication of my name, 44 unknown to 
fame,” will be of any advantage; and therefore I beg to subscribe myself, 
Sir, your obedient servant, 
G. F. 
Faversham , Nov. 5, 1838. 
