98. SKETCHES OP EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



and Labrador Auk, of Latham, le Macareux, and Macar. moine, of 

 French, — der Arktische Alk, and Graukehliger Alk, of German, 

 naturalists, — formerly arranged among the Alccc, now constitutes 

 the type, and only European species, of the genus Mormon, of Tem- 

 minck. The following are the distinguishing characters, as traced 

 by that celebrated Ornithologist : " Beak shorter than the head, 

 mofe deep than long, and much compressed. Both mandibles 

 arched, transversely furrowed, and notched at the tip ; the ridge of 

 the superior mandible acute, and elevated above the level of the 

 cranium. Nostrils lateral, marginal, linear, bare, and nearly closed 

 by a naked membrane. Tarsi short, retracted in the abdomen. 

 Toes three only, anterior, and completely webbed. Nails, (especi- 

 ally the two internal) much hooked. Wings short : first quill-fea- 

 ther as long as, or a little longer than, the second." The Puffin 

 although extensively inhabiting the polar regions, is, with us, known 

 only as a summer-visitant. It arrives on the coasts of^Britain about 

 the middle of April, and takes its departure for the south of Europe 

 about the second week of August. The single egg, of a dirty- white 

 colour, is deposited in a burrow of the earth formed by the male, and 

 frequently provided with a double entrance. It is almost exclusively 

 an aquatic bird ; and feeds principally on the smaller fishes, marine 

 Crustacea, and plants. The Northern Puffin, Fratercula glacialis, 

 of Leach, distinguished only by the inferior size of the beak, is re- 

 garded, by Selby, as a young bird of this species : for the organ, he 

 observes, does not attain its full strength and development till the 

 expiration of the second or third year. Mr. Gould has delineated, 

 in this plate, figures of the adult male and female Puffin, in his 

 wonted style of excellence. The specific eT^hhQijJlavirostris, is obvi- 

 ously preferable to arctica. 



Plate III. — The Black-headed Bunting, — Emberiza melanoce- 

 phala, — Bruant crocote, of Temminck, Fringille crocote, Vieillott. 

 This bird inhabits the southern provinces of the east of Europe ; is 

 yery abundant in Dalmatia and the whole of the Levant ; com- 

 mon in Istria, the environs of Trieste, and the declivities of the hills 

 which skirt the Adriatic. An agreeable songster. Feeds on the 

 seed of wild plants, grain, and insects. Builds in low bushes ; and 

 lays four white eggs, sprinkled with minute specks of a light ash- 

 colour. The bird is distinguished from the other species of Bunting 

 by the deep-black colour of the summit of the head and region of 

 the eyes and ears of the male. Hence, the specific name. The fe- 

 male has all the superior parts of a reddish-ash colour. Nothing 



