Egyptian Birds, for the Most Part seen in the Nile Valley

Abstract

WE have nothing but praise for Mr. Whymper's drawings. Being more in the nature of landscapes with birds in the foreground than figures of birds with a suitable background, they naturally gain from an artistic standpoint, and this has not detracted from their value as guides towards identification. Many of the drawings are, indeed, most pleasing pictures, and convey a delightful impression of the surroundings amongst which the visitor to Egypt may expect to see the birds depicted. On the whole, Mr. Whymper has not suffered greatly at the hands of the block-maker, though we may remark generally that the colouring of the plates is more pleasing by artificial light than by daylight, and we imagine that the green legs and feet of the griffon vulture, the purple hues of the chats, and such like inaccuracies in colouring are due to the engraver's or,printer's art rather than to the artist's.

Egyptian Birds, for the Most Part seen in the Nile Valley.

By Charles Whymper. Pp. x + 221; with 51 coloured plates. (London: A. and C. Black, 1909.) Price 20s.