SKETCHES OP EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 355 



habitat. It appears to abound in the arctic circle, being equally common in the 

 polar regions of both Continents." Feeds on small fish, Crustacea, &c. Deposits 

 its single white egg, spotted with black, on the ledges of rocks ; the young are 

 hatched in three weeks, when they are probably carried down to the water in 

 the bills of the parents, as some other species are known to do. The sexes are 

 similar. In winter adults have the whole plumage black, with the exception of 

 a white patch in the centrfc of the wing. Young birds and adults in winter are 

 mottled with grey and white. 



Hyacinthine Porphyrio, Porphyrio hyacinthinus, — Taleve porphyrion, Fr. 

 The plate contains a fine representation, natural size, of an adult male. " The 

 birds forming the restricted genus Porphyrio may be readily distinguished from 

 the Gallinules by the greater depth and richness of the colour of their plumage, 

 by the extraordinary development of the feet, and by the robust form of the bill. 

 Although the number of species is somewhat limited, they are widely distributed 

 over the tropical portions of the old world." " Like the Common Gallinule, it 

 dwells on the borders of rivers and in all marshy situations. In its food it is 

 partly herbivorous, feeding on various kinds of marine vegetables ;" also on seeds, 

 Snails, Frogs, &c. It runs with ease, even on muddy ground ; but although its 

 actions on land are graceful, it flies with difficulty. Breeds in marshy spots, 

 forming its nest of aquatic plants, and laying three or four white roundish eggs. 

 Thus both the shape and number of eggs differ remarkably from those of the 

 Gallinules, Coots, Crakes, &c. Sexes similar. 



Common Crossbill, Crucirostra vulgaris, — Bec-croise commun, Fr. — Fichten 

 Kreuzschnabel, G. The habits and changes of plumage of this species must be 

 familiar to our ornithological readers. Mr. Gould informs us that these birds 

 are exposed for sale in the markets of Vienna in great numbers, and that they 

 are in considerable request. The plate represents an adult, and a young bird of 

 the year ; we have no fault to find with them. 



Greenshank Sandpiper, Totanus glottis, — Chevalier aboyeur, Fr. — Pantana 

 verderello, It. — Grunfussiger Wasserlaufer, G. A very fair figure, natural size, 

 and winter plumage. Widely spread over Europe, India, and Africa ; also found 

 lately, by Audubon, in America. Common on the British coast and the mouths 

 of large rivers during its vernal and autumnal migrations. Abundant on the 

 coast of Holland, and occurs in France, Switzerland, Germany, &c. It probably 

 breeds in northern latitudes. Feeds on various marine animals. The chest and 

 flanks, mottled in summer, become white in winter. 



Snowy Surn, Surnia nyctea, — Chouette Harfang, Fr. — Schnee Kautz, G. The 

 figures, of an adult and a bird of the second year, about one-third of the natural 

 size, are splendidly executed. The plate is one of the best in the present Part. — 

 This robust and hardy bird is a native of the Arctic regions. In America it 



