of a variety; and altogether we should by no means select this plate as a favourable example of the work.

Mr. Hewitson describes the variation to which the above eggs are subject, and very judiciously observes that "there is so very close and admirable an approximation between the nests and eggs of these three birds, that any one, without having seen the birds themselves, would, without hesitation, place them together in the same genus." In like manner, we may add, is the propriety of generically separating the Pied and Grey Flycatchers of authors distinctly indicated by the diversity of their nests and eggs. Shewing how very necessary it is," continues our author, " in the classification of birds, to pay some attention to their nests and eggs, and how very much knowledge, and pleasing and convincing proof and assistance, might be gained by so doing."

The following plate presents two eggs of the Goldencrowned Kinglet, and one of the Common Wren: both are exquisitely represented. Those of the Kinglet may be said to exemplify the extremes of variation; but we should liked to have seen also a third, exhibiting its more ordinary aspect. Judging from the great number we have at different times seen, and the collection at present before us, we should say that the usual appearance of the egg of this species is dull white and spotless, but with a brownish tinge at the large end; or the spots may be said to be only just distinguishable on very close inspection. We have one, a yolkless specimen, about one third the ordinary size, and have heard of others resembling it. Not long ago, we saw an egg of the Fierycrowned Kinglet, which closely resembles that of R. auricapillus, save in being a trifle longer; it was not, however, a British specimen. The Common Wren's is a very beautiful egg, pure white, with often hardly a speck discoverable; generally, however, there are numerous minute dots at the large end. We observed a Wren this season, sitting on seven eggs, which were very darkly spotted; but, as they were on the point of hatching, a specimen was not obtained. They greatly resembled, except in size, and in being more thickly spotted at the large end, Mr. Hewitson's fig. 1 of that of the Great Tit.

We have next four figures of eggs; two of the Great Tit, one of its congener, the Cole Tit, and one of the Bearded Pinnock, still absurdly classed, by many writers, in Parus, the impropriety of which is sufficiently shewn even in the egg, and particularly in its diverse nidification. The figures of the Great Tit's egg are characteristic ; ; we have some much less distinctly marked, and others more so, than either, but, tout ensemble, are very well satisfied with

the representation before us, more especially with No. 2, which we can match exactly. Our Cole Tit's eggs, upon which the parent was captured, are of a longer form than Mr. Hewitson's figure, with the spots less round; but, as we have not an extensive series, have no reason to believe the representation to be inaccurate. That of the Bearded Pinnock, of which we have seen many, is very good.

Eggs of the Blue Tit, Marsh Tit, and Rose Mufflin, occupy the next plate; and the two former are as well represented as is possible with such variable subjects. Our series of those of the Blue Tit graduate from the most minutely dotted examples, more so than in the plate, to those in which the spots are very bold and large, and few in number: the latter variety is not figured by Mr. Hewitson. Those of the Marsh Tit vary similarly, but are seldom very minutely speckled. The Mufflin's eggs are rarely so spotted as in the figure; many are pure white, with just a tinge of brown at the large end. Before they are blown, all the last mentioned eggs have a delicate blush appearance.

Next we have an egg of the Shore Pipit, and two of the Common or Meadow Pipit; the former somewhat darker than our specimens, which have the pale ground colour very distinct. All three are excellent illustrations. We have many varieties of those of the Common Pipit, and can match both Mr. Hewitson's figures exactly. No. 3 is by no means a common variety, and not a little indicates the affinity of these birds for the Wagtails.

The following plate exhibits single specimens of the eggs of the Pied and Grey Wagtails, and of the Golden Willet (Budytes flavissima). We cannot panegyrize the first as a typical example, the Pied Wagtail's eggs being commonly somewhat more spotted, and many very thickly marked, and sparrow-like; still we have some extremely like it. The eggs of this species differ chiefly from many of those of the House Sparow in the spots being smaller. The Grey Wagtail's egg agrees tolerably with the few we have seen, and that of the Golden Willet is very fair. As Mr. Hewitson remarks, the eggs of both the latter species often assume the aspect of each other.

We now open upon figures of two rare ones; one of the Cirl Bunting, which, however, is by no means a scarce species in many scattered isolated localities in the southern counties; the other, of the Common Snowfleck (Plectrophanes nivalis), about which we are incompetent to offer an opinion, further than that we have no doubt it is most carefully represented. It is not unlike some of those of the Green Finch. We have never yet met with a Cirl

Bunting's egg in which the markings were bold and distinct; and that figured by Mr. Hewitson accords with our observation. It is quite sufficient to glance at that of the Common Snowfleck to confirm the propriety of the bird's separation from Emberiza. We have for some years kept a specimen in captivity, and certainly can see but little similitude in it to the Buntings.

It is with pleasure we gaze next on a tolerably well filled out plate, containing six illustrations of the eggs of Emberiza; two of the Corn Bunting, two of the Yellow Bunting, and two of the Reed Bunting. The first and last are admirable, and indeed those of the Yellow Bunting are very good, but we should like to have seen one of those beautiful and boldly dashed specimens of the latter: fig. 3 is not a common variety. We have a yolkless specimen less than an ordinary egg of the Goldencrowned Kinglet. Reed Bunting's eggs vary a good deal in size; we have examples both considerably larger and much smaller than Mr. Hewitson's figures : one of the former is curiously marked longitudinally. We very much admire this plate.

Two figures of Passer domesticus and two of P. arboreus occupy the next, both of which are endlessly variable. We could have supposed the latter had been drawn from specimens now before us, so minutely exact is the resemblance. As to the Common Sparrow's egg, a dozen figures would hardly suffice to shew its variation, many examples of it being indeed very beautiful. This is an excellent plate. Does not the immature plumage of the Tree Sparrow resemble that of the female of P. domesticus?

Two eggs of the Green Finch, and two of the Common Chaffinch; all accurate in the extreme, but the latter hardly sufficiently diverse. We have several, from different nests, pure blue and spotless, others with only a mark or two; some as dark as ordinary specimens of the Reed Bunting's eggs, others very like a Green Finch's; some almost spherical, and others, again, extremely elongated: besides which are endless modifications of the colours and markings. One, if not both, of the Green Finch's eggs should have been tinged with green. We have a beautiful specimen of the Chaffinch's nest lined with large white goose's feathers; a circumstance of very unusual occurrence.

In the next plate we have two eggs of the Song Linnet, one of the Mountain Linnet, and one of the little Rose Linnet, or Redpole ; all, so far as we have seen, very characteristic, though at least one of those of the Song Linnet should have been rather of a more blueish tinge.

Of the Haw Finch's egg we have next two exquisite representations, and one of the Bullfinch, which we do not so much approve of. It is certainly too large for an average specimen, and not blue enough: however, there are many like it. We have repeatedly met with the Haw Finch's nest in Kent and Surrey, but generally with young ones, which have yellow heads and throats, and are very prettily spotted on the under parts. For some time after they quit the nest they are very clamorous, and utter continually a shrill short note, resembling kisp kisp, or kusp. They are easily reared in confinement, and grow up extremely tame.

We

One egg of the Starling fills out (or rather does not fill out) a whole plate. It is a good exemplification of the average. have one specimen of a much richer and deeper blue.

Two excellent representations of the Raven's egg now delight us-as characteristic as they could well be. We have seen some, however, widely different.

Three eggs of the Common Crow; all very good, but two of them not quite so diverse as we could wish. They are very commonly of a finer tint than any here represented, and are more boldly spotted with black; but their variations are literally endless. Another capital plate, shewing three Rook's eggs. We do not think that better examples could have been chosen.

Two eggs of the Jackdaw, also very excellent, but a third might with advantage have been introduced; at least we have several that are very unlike either.

With the two representations of the Magpie's eggs we are not quite so well satisfied, or rather a third, an average example, is also wanted. There should have been one with the spots larger and bolder.

Two figures of Nuthatch's eggs, and one of the Treecreeper. Our specimens of the former are more elliptical. Some Treecreepers' eggs are very like the one figured, but generally the dots are smaller, and more exclusively at the large end.

Here we have two Cuckoo's eggs, selected, we are told from several specimens. No. 1 is very dark, No. 2 a remarkably pale example. Generally speaking, we think, they are much more rufous. The author observes, "I should have been exceedingly gratified could I have settled two very interesting points, which yet remain undetermined, viz.—what number of eggs the Cuckoo lays in one season, and whether or not it ever carries its egg (after having laid it) to the nest of another bird." From all we have observed, we are inclined to dissent from the latter opinion; and have

clearly ascertained, respecting the former, that this singular bird lays from four to six eggs in the course of the spring and summer, but not on consecutive days, as in those birds which incubate their own, but a week, or even considerably more, intervening between their successive depositions. This fact is perfectly explicable by a reference to a peculiarity in the bird's anatomy, which the present is not a fitting occasion to treat of: for whatever purpose this was designed we as yet know not; but on it evidently depends its deviation from the ordinary mode of propagation. It is well known that the female Cuckoo is much in the habit of watching birds that are carrying building materials, during which time she has always an egg gradually maturing, which will not separate from the ovarium until, perhaps, such time as the nest is ready for its reception. Still she cannot retain her egg when once in the oviduct, as has been suggested, as is proved by her occasionally laying into a halffinished nest.

The two following plates exhibit figures of eggs of our four species of Columba, all spotless white, and differing only in size.

Two eggs of the Common Pheasant, a light one and a dark one, though by no means shewing the extremes of variation. We have them considerably darker. Those of white Pheasants are very much paler; and we believe that the Ring-necked variety (?) or blended species (?) produces in general lighter eggs than the common sort.

An example of the egg of the noble Capercailzie Grouse (Tetrao urogallus), now, alas! no longer a member of the indigenous British Fauna, if, indeed, we can as yet again lay claim to it as an introduced species. It is, in size, equal to that of a game hen, reddishcream colour, interspersed all over with numerous rufous-brown specks of different sizes. Also that of the Black Grouse, (T. tetrix), so ludicrously made a distinct genus of by Swainson, who styles it Lyrurus, solely from a mere difference in the form of the tail. It differs only from that of the other in being rather smaller, with the specks less uniformly diffused and larger. As is remarked, the dots are seldom, however, so large as is represented.

We have next three of those adornments to cabinets of British eggs, those of the Red Ptarmigan, (Lagopus Britannicus); and beautifully represented they are. These eggs generally sell for a shilling a-piece in the London Markets, and present a great number of beautiful varieties.

Eggs of the Grey Partridge (Perdix cinerea), two in number— a light and a dark specimen. We have examples both lighter and a shade darker, and varying remarkably in size and form. One of