We have not space to criticise the list in detail, but we may observe that some of the author's corrections of former statements are not improvements. For example, the Hobby, formerly regarded as an occasional visitor, is now marked as "a resident, though a scarce one," whereas it would have been more accurately described as a summer migrant. The Merlin has been transferred from the occasional visitors to the residents, while there can be no doubt that, as regards the South of England, its place is amongst the winter visitants.
Notwithstanding the new paragraph from the 'Marlborough Times' anent the Curlew nesting on Aldbourne Downs, we are still sceptical on the subject, and cannot doubt that the species referred to is the Stone Curlew or Thick-knee. The true Curlew (Numenius arquata), in all probability, only occurs on passage.
In an octavo pamphlet of ninety-six pages Captain Nares has given a brief but clear account of all that befell the crews of the 'Alert' and 'Discovery' on their recent Expedition, from the date of their leaving Upernavick in July, 1875, until their arrival home in October, 1876.
Notwithstanding the extreme interest which attaches to this Report, and which, in its handy and accessible form, should be read in extenso by everyone, it would be beyond our province to deal with any but the zoological portion of it, and to this therefore we confine attention.
Of course, in a general report such as this is, we do not expect to find the details which are most likely to interest readers of 'The Zoologist,' for these are reserved for publication in the special Report of the Naturalists to the Expedition. At page 47, the Commander of the Expedition, paying a well-deserved compliment to Captain Feilden, says:—
