358 SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



points, and of a firm elastic texture ; in the body being more bulky, and larger 

 in all its proportions, in the tarsi being stouter, of a different colour, and consider- 

 ably shorter." Baron De Feldegg, however, observes that adults may be found 

 at all seasons both with and without the crest. " The young, which are very 

 seldom seen, are wholly brownish grey, the feathers being much finer and closer 

 in texture, and more silky in appearance than in adults." This bird appears to 

 have been discovered, by the above-mentioned gentleman, in Dalmatia in 1828. 



Yellow-breasted Bunting, Emberiza aureola, — Bruant oreole, Fr. The 

 Buntings have ever been favourites with us, and the present species appears even 

 to surpass the others of its genus, which we have long been wont to admire, in 

 the tasteful distribution of its rich tints. Beautiful figures of the male and 

 female are given. Its native habitats are Kamtschatka, Siberia, and the Crimea, 

 but it has occasionally been found within the eastern confines of Europe. The 

 female lacks the bright hues of the male, but, like the females of all the Buntings 

 with which we are acquainted, is nevertheless a handsome creature, " A speci- 

 men of the male, one of the very finest we have ever seen, was obligingly lent to 

 us by T. B. L. Baker, Esq., of Hardwicke Court, Gloucester," who some years 

 ago published a general catalogue of birds. 



Whistling Swan, Cygnus ferus, — Cygne a-bec-jaune, Fr. — Cygno salvatico, 

 It. — Sing Schwan, G. Mr. Lear has represented an adult, one-third of the 

 living size, in rather a difficult position, namely, standing on land ; but he has 

 acquitted himself admirably. This bird is confined to the north of Europe and 

 Asia; its more particular habitat being within the Arctic circle. In severe 

 winters it is not uncommon in England, but it seldom occurs here in mild seasons. 

 A few pairs used formerly to breed in the north of Britain. Mr. Gould observes 

 that the Whistling Swan is kept in a half-domesticated state in the parks of some 

 noblemen, though we never met with it anywhere. Its habits and economy appear 

 closely to resemble those of the Mute Swan. The eggs are four inches in length, 

 and two and three-quarters in breadth. The adult female is smaller than the 

 other sex. " Its usual call-note resembles the sound of the word hoop, loudly and 

 hoarsely uttered several times in succession." 



Black Scoter, Oidemia nigra, — Canard macreuse, Fr. — Trauer Ente, G< 

 A lovely and very characteristic figure of the adult male, natural size. Common 

 on the shores of England and the Continent, subsisting " almost entirely on 

 bivalves, such as the Common Mussel, &c. ; and they especially abound where 

 large beds of these shell-fish afford them an unfailing supply of favourite diet, 

 their close adpressed plumage and great power of diving admirably fitting them 

 for their destined mode of life. It passes southward when the lakes and rivers in 

 its summer haunts become frozen. Of its nidification nothing is ascertained. This 



