Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/68

42 the author, and with this we have nothing to do, for we are here concerned with eggs and not systems; in fact, criticism should be a matter between oologists and the work of the lithographers. Whether this is much required seems almost answered in the negative by an examination of the plates, which, belonging to an English work, we rejoice to see were done in England.

The descriptive notes are full and to the point. The geographical area over which the bird is at various times to be found, the place and time of nidification, the structure of the nest, and the shape, size, and colour of the eggs, are alike—where possible—given. A full enumeration of species is contributed, including the Great Auk (Alca impennis), two particular eggs of which belonging to the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, are now figured for the first time. To conclude a necessarily brief notice, we may surely say that we now possess the book on British Birds' Eggs.

The many surviving friends of Henry Seebohm will appreciate the striking portrait given as frontispiece, while in writing the personal memoir Dr. Sharpe has escaped both the Charybdis of panegyric and the Scylla of criticism.

perusing this book we are reminded of a long ago, when Wood's 'Common Objects of the Seashore' was a well-thumbed companion of our early days, replaced subsequently by Gosse's 'Naturalist's Rambles on the Devonshire Coast.' It sometimes seems that this branch of Zoology is not so popular as it was once; we more seldom see the private marine aquarium, less often meet with the shore collector. We are all aware of the great advance in scientific Zoology made by competent observers at Marine Stations, and may at once cite Plymouth; but our remarks are only intended to apply to the readers for whom the book is written. "In the present volume it is the author's desire to act as a friendly go-between, introducing the unscientific seaside visitor to a large number of the wonderful and interesting creatures of the rocks, the sands, and the shingle beach." As