Birds in Nature. By R. Bowdler Sharpe. (Sampson Low and
Co.)—Mr. Sharpe's knowledge of the form and colour of birds is well shown in this beautiful work. The thirty-nine coloured plates are contributed by Mr. Roberts, the letterpress by Mr. Sharpe himself, with the aid of extracts, which he frankly acknow- ledges, from Mr. Seebohm's work. The size of the plates, quarto, ensures a life-aim reproduction of the living subject, and their colour, at any rate, does justice, if it is not even too gorgeous for truth. There are perhaps a few more that are well known enough and might havo been added, the yellow-ammer, for instance; but the selection is certainly good, and the general resemblance of plates to birds admirable. It is a fine edition, and its size and finish should make it a delightful present to bird-lovers.
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