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SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY.

GOULD'S "BIRDS OF EUROPE."

PARTS SEVENTH AND EIGHTH.

PART VII.-On opening the seventh part of this work, we find the same merits and the same defects that we had occasion to notice in our last number; the chief of the latter being the too great tameness of most of the figures, but especially those of the Falconidæ and Fringillida. The accuracy of the delineation and colouring, is, however, in almost every case, such as to render the species recognisable by the ornithologist at a single glance; and each plate is, as a whole, so beautiful, as to rivet the eyes of even the most ordinary observer. The first plate represents

The Rock Gossak-Astur palumbarius-Autour de rocher, Fr.Sparviere da Colombi, It.-Hunerhabicht, G. The adult female in mature plumage, and the young bird, about three-fourths of the natural size, are given; of these, both characteristic, we prefer the latter, as having the more falconine expression of the two. "It may be regarded," says Mr. Gould," as the most noble and typical species of its genus-a genus separated from the Falcons by the absence of the true dentation of the mandibles, and by possessing a short and more rounded form of wings, together with a slender and less robust body." It is widely distributed, in both the old and new worlds, and abounds in all the wooded parts of Central Europe, but is very rare in Britain. In manners it bears considerable resemblance to the Sparrow Hawk; in taking its prey, however, it does not stoop like a Falcon, but glides after its victim in a line with extreme rapidity. The sexes differ considerably in size, and the markings on the breast are more distinct in the male than in the female. The young have the breast brown, and the markings are not in the same direction as in adults. Meyer informs us that this bird feeds on young birds of its own species-a circumstance, we think, that wants verification. Mr. Gould tells us nothing about its nidification or food; the latter consists of Squirrels, Rabbits, Mice, Moles, young poultry, Pigeons, and other small animals. It is said to make its nest on lofty trees, and to lay from two to four bluish eggs, streaked and spotted with brown.

The Siskin Goldwing-Carduelis spinus-Tarin vert, Fr.-Erlenzeisig, G. Pretty figures, but wanting in the lively expression

of the original; the plate represents the male and female, natural size. The colour of the female is much less bright than that of the male. Common in Europe, especially where the Birch and Alder abound; and we are glad to find our author correcting the usual notion of the rarity of this species in Britain; we have even ascertained that it breeds in this country, and have received specimens at almost every season of the year. Feeds on the buds of trees, and possesses a short but rather agreeable song. This circumstance, combined with its lively and pleasing manners, renders it a coveted bird with the fancier, and the trade in London catch hundreds of them every winter.-Builds on the upper branches of lofty trees, laying five light grey eggs, with minute purple dots. We should be glad to hear of the Siskin being met with in England in summer, and that it commonly breeds with us.

The Rednecked Grebe, Podiceps rubricollis, Lath.—Grêbe jougris, Fr.-Graukehliger Steissfuss, G. Beautiful representations, natural size, of an adult in summer plumage, and a young bird of the year. Habitat the Eastern portion of Europe, and the adjacent parts of Asia; found, but less abundantly, in the rest of Europe; rare with us. Frequents large lakes and rivers, and the sea-coast. Food the same as that of the other Grebes. The young want the rufous colour on the neck of the adults.

Cinereous Vulture, Vutur cinereus-Vautour noir, Fr.-Avoltoio lepraiolo, It.-Grauer Geier, G. An excellent figure of the adult male, one third of the size of nature, the best bird of prey Mr. Gould has figured thus far. Inhabits the extensive forests of Hungary, the mountains of the Tyrol, the Swiss Alps, the Pyrenees, and the middle of Spain and Italy, but never seen in Britain. Temminck says it only feeds on dead animals; but Bechstein affirms that it will attack Sheep, Goats, and even Deer, picking out their eyes, and being very troublesome to the farmers.

Two rather dumpy engravings of the Green Grosbeak, Coccothraustes chloris-Grosbec verdier, Fr.-Verdone, It.-Gruner Kernbeisser, G. An adult male and a young bird, natural size. Indigenous and common in the whole of Europe. Mr. Gould says nothing about the insects and caterpillars eaten by these birds; nor we believe, has any author noticed the circumstance, although the nestlings are brought up almost entirely on animal food-chiefly small green caterpillars.

Collared Pratincole, Glareola torquata-Glaréole à collier, Fr.Glareola, It.-Rothfussige Sandhuhn, G. A male and female, natural size, are extremely well hit off. Inhabits the extensive plains

and morasses, abounding with lakes, of Eastern Europe. It is a rare straggler in England, but a regular periodical visitant in France, Germany, and Italy. Flies with elegance and rapidity, and takes its insect food on the wing; it likewise runs with celerity on the ground, where it frequently pursues its prey. Breeds amongst osiers and tall rank herbage, and lays three or four white eggs. The sexes resemble each other, but the young are of a more dusky colour.

The Mute Swan, Cygnus mutus-Cygne tuberculé, Fr.-Cigno reale, It.-Höcker Schwan, G. Drawn and engraved, by E. Lear, in a truly splendid and masterly style, and an excellent model for the imitation of the ornithological painter. We have not a single fault to find with it. Indigenous in England, and forming an admirable ornament in lakes flowing through gentlemen's parks. More than one pair is seldom kept at one place, but we have seen as many as twenty or thirty together. "The female lays six or seven long oval-shaped eggs, of a greenish-grey colour, and sits about fortyfive days. During this extended period, the male keeps watch at a short distance from her nest; and when the young brood are produced, and take to the water, he is incessant in his care and guardianship, and boldly advances to repel the intruder upon every appearance of danger." The sexes differ little. The young do not attain their full plumage till after the second year, and are unable to breed before the third.

Adult male and female, the size of life, of the Sardinian Starling, Sturnus unicolor-E'tourneau unicolore, Fr. Found in the warmer parts of Spain, Sardinia, and the rocky shores of the Mediterranean. These birds live in small flocks, and breed in the holes of rocks, old towers, &c., agreeing in most of their habits with the Spotted Starling of Britain. The plumage is soft and glossy, and Mr. Gould's plates are very good. Birds of the first year have the ends of the feathers tipped with white; the sexes scarcely offer any difference worth mentioning.

Longtailed Hareld, Harelda glacialis, Leach-Miclon à-longuequeue, Fr.-Eisente Trente, G. A male and female, three-fourths of the living size; characteristic, but not so gracefully situated as we could have wished. Inhabits the north of Europe and America, but is mostly found within the Arctic Circle, rarely travelling further south than Britain, which it visits in considerable numbers in hard winters, and a few remain to breed in the Orkneys. Sometimes seen in the lakes of Germany, and abundantly in Russia. "The nature of their food," observes our author, "which consists of Mussels

VOL. VI.-NO. XX.

HH

and other shelled and naked Mollusca, confines them almost exclusively to the sea, and they are remarkable for their activity and dexterity in diving." Builds amongst herbage near the sea-shore, the female lining her nest with down from her breast, which is considered equal in value to the celebrated product of the Eider. Lays from ten to fourteen bluish-white eggs, tinged with olive. In summer the white on the head of the adult male-characteristic of the sex and age—becomes of a dark brown; and the young male and adult female are dark brown above, lighter on the breast, and greyish-white underneath.

The Common Crane, Grus cinerea-Grue cendrée, Fr.-Grue commune, It.-Aschgrauer Kranich, G. A fine plate, by Lear, representing the adult male, half size, but with the right leg in an unnatural position. Common in the north of Europe and Asia, visiting France and Germany, and formerly common in this country, but now rarely seen, having been banished by the drainage of its favourite marshes, the inclosures of wild tracts, &c. This beautiful bird feeds on grains, aquatic plants, Frogs, Worms, and fresh-water shells. Nidificates amongst Osiers or Reeds on the borders of lakes, and occasionally on the tops of deserted buildings, depositing two dull greenish eggs, dashed with brown. The sexes differ little, but the plumes are said to be shorter and less graceful in the female. Very old males have a long white streak behind the eye.

The Sombre Tit, Parus lugubris-Mésange lugubre, Fr. Very fairly executed, but, we think, rather too sombre even for the Sombre Tit. Almost confined to the European confines of the Asiatic border. It is about the size of our Garden Tit, which our author supposes it to resemble in habits. The male and female agree in plumage: "the whole of the upper surface of a brownish ash colour, becoming deeper on the top of the head; the secondaries and tail-feathers slightly margined with whitish; throat brownishblack; the cheeks and the whole of the under surface white, slightly tinted with brownish-grey; beak and feet lead colour.”

On the same plate is figured, very happily, the Siberian Tit, Parus Sibericus-Mésange à-ceinture-blanche, Fr. Equally rare with the former, and easily distinguished from it by its smaller size and longer tail. Reported to inhabit the north of Europe and Asia, and to visit Russia in winter. "The upper surface is of a deep ash colour, tinged on the back with brown; the quills, secondaries, and tail-feathers, edged with white; throat black; cheeks and upper part of the chest pure white; under parts greyish-white, washed with rufous on the flanks; bill and tarsi lead colour." Judging

from Mr. Gould's representation-for we have never seen the bird itself the Siberian Tit is an elegant and lively little species.

Creamcoloured Courser, Cursorius Isabellinus-Courvite Isabelle, Fr.-Corrione biondo, It. A native of North Africa and Siberia, frequently migrating to southern Europe, and even visiting Britain occasionally. Runs with great swiftness on the sandy plains, which it so closely resembles in colour, feeding on insects. Nidification unknown, or at best doubtful. The sexes are similar, but the young birds lack the black occipital patch of the adults. The general colour of the adults is delicate fawn colour above, lighter beneath. The plate is all that we can desire.

Two representations of the Pied Flycatcher, Muscicapa luctuosa -Gobemouche becfigue, Fr.-Schwartzrückiger Fliegenfanger, G. Common in France and Germany, but especially so on the European coasts of the Mediterranean; in England it chiefly occurs in Yorkshire, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Derbyshire. It lives on small insects, in taking which it is extremely expert. Builds in hollow trees, laying from four to six pale blue eggs.

A male Whitecollared Flycatcher, Muscicapa albicollis-Gobemouche à collier, Fr.-Fliegenfange mit-Halsbande, G. Mr. Gould has seen a specimen of this bird said to have been killed in England; but we perfectly agree with him in doubting its authenticity. "In winter, according to the above-quoted author [Temminck], both these species lose the black plumage of summer, and assume an uniform brown livery over all the upper parts, at which season the young, females and males, resemble each other: on the return of spring they moult again, the males assuming their black livery." Both these species are song birds, and the notes of each are different; the eggs also differ.

The Spotted Nightling, Noctua passerina-Chevêche, Fr.Civetta gialla, It.-Kleiner Kautz, G. A sweet little cut, taken from a full-grown bird, and given of the natural size. Seldom occurs in Europe beyond the 55° of north latitude; common in the warmer districts of this quarter, and ranks as an occasional visitant in the British fauna. Builds in deserted castles and towers, and lays from two to four white rounded eggs. It is said to be of a savage and untameable disposition, but, according to Selby, is often kept in large wicker cages in France and Flanders, where it is exposed for sale. It feeds on Mice, Shrews, &c., and on small birds, which it takes at roost. It will also eat Locusts, Beetles, and other insects.

Common Dipper, Cinclus aquaticus-Cincle plongeur, Fr. Mr.