SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 103 



assumes, for the summer-season, the characteristic markings of the 

 male plumage. The two figures, given by Mr. Gould in illustra- 

 tion of these diversities of sex, are amongst the most admirably-ex- 

 ecuted in the whole work. 



Plate XIV. — Represents a figure of the Great Shrike, — Lanius 

 Excubitor, — in the act of destroying a Dragon-Fly. The colouring 

 of the iridescent wing of the writhing insect is exquisite ; and that 

 of the destroyer itself is little less to be admired. This species, — 

 Pie-Grieche Grise, Fr., — Velia cenerea. It, — Grauer Wurger, G.> 

 > — forms the type of the new genus Collurio, as constituted by Mr. 

 Vigors, under the title of C, excuhiior. The principal ground of 

 separation consists in the rounded figure of the wing, which, in the 

 Lanii, is more pointed ; in the lengthened and graduated tail, and 

 in the general superiority of size, of the species composing the ge- 

 nus Collurio. Other ornithologists, among whom is our Derbyshire 

 Correspondent, retain the " Gray Shrike" in the Lanius — , and 

 transfer its two British congeners to the Collurio, genus. 



Plate XV. — The Pomarine Gull, — Lestris pomarinusj of Tem- 

 minck, — Cataractes pomarinus, Stephens, — Le Stercoraire raye, 

 Brisson, — Pomarin, Temminck, — Felsen Meve, G. This fine, 

 powerful, and courageous bird, the Pomarine Skua, of modern wri- 

 ters, and belonging to the Family of the Laridse, was formerly in- 

 cluded in the Gull genus. Two other European species, the Com- 

 mon and Arctic Skua, now compose, with it, the genus Lestris or 

 Cataractes. They are described, by Bewick, in a distinct Section ^ 

 under the title of the " Predatory Gulls.'* The Pomarine Skua 

 inhabits the northern regions of both continents ; and visits, only, 

 however, in its immature state, the coasts of Britain. In this con- 

 dition it closely resembles the Black-toed Gull, with which it has 

 evidently been confounded by Bewick ; but it may be distinguished 

 from the latter by its greater size, the more robust figure of the bill, 

 and its longer and more roughly reticulated tarsus. The principal 

 distinguishing character of the Lestris genus is the elongation of the 

 two middle feathers of the tail ; and, in our present species, these 

 Jeathers are rounded at the extremity. It subsists upon fishes, and 

 articles of food which, by pursuing and fiercely attacking the Gulls, 

 it compels them to disgorge. Mr. Gould's figures of the young and 

 the adult bird, are boldly and finely executed. 



Plate XVI.-^Of this, the Golden Oriole, — Otiolus galbula,—' 

 Le Loriot, Fr., — Rigogole commune. It., — Gelbe Rache, Gelber 

 Pirol, G., — constitutes the subject. The figures of the male and 

 female of this rare and beautiful visitant of the British islands are 

 exquisitely drawn and coloured. The only European species of the 



