A definite object was before these two expeditions—the first of which may be said to have owed its initiative to Mr. J.A. Harvie-Brown—and that object was the acquirement, if not even the discovery, of the eggs of the Grey Plover, the Little Stint, the Sanderling, the Curlew Sandpiper, the Knot, and Bewick's Swan. Of these the Knot was the only species unseen, and of the others, identified eggs were obtained and brought home of the Grey Plover, the Little Stint, and Bewick's Swan. But this has been pointed out before; the importance of the present publication is that it combines two volumes which had very much in common, and that it places a charming account of ornithological exploration in a revised and handsome form, and at a reasonable price, at the option of ornithologists, as well as of those who would read a vivid account of the immense contrasts which nature exhibits between her winter and summer solstices in those northern regions.
The first volume of this monograph has been already noticed (ante, p. 77); the second has now appeared, and concludes a section of an important faunistic publication. There are probably many more of the smaller mammals to be discovered in South Africa, but Mr. Sclater has now brought our knowledge up to date, and with these two volumes the naturalist should have little hesitation in the identification of his species. In fact, the scientific or technical description is completed so far as present collections are concerned; other species will be doubtless discovered and described; but the great, or natural history work still requires to be done, and that may well claim the attention of field naturalists for many years to come. We want now to know more of the life-histories and habits of these creatures; we are waiting for the narratives of the Gilbert Whites and Richard Jefferies of South Africa. When these men arise they will find their pursuits made very possible by the aid of these excellent volumes, which to the sportsman should prove a perfect vade mecum.
