SKETCHES OP EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 73 



A lovely representation of the Wood Pigeon, — Columha arborea, 

 N. Wood — Colombe des bois, Fr. — Holtz Taube, G. Inhabits the 

 middle countries of Europe, being less abundant in the other re- 

 gions. Occurs in the midland counties of England, in large woods. 

 We are informed by J. D. Salmon, Esq., that it is very common in 

 the sandy district of Norfolk, where it breeds in deserted rabbit 

 burrows, and the young are caught before they are able to fly. In 

 general, however, it builds its nest in the holes of eld trees, making 

 little or no nest, and laying two white eggs. Food : Peas and other 

 seeds of plants belonging to the Bean family (Fabacece), and also 

 Turnip tops. Corn, &c. The sexes are similar, but the young, as in 

 other Pigeons, do not possess the metallic lustre of the adults. The 

 figure is of the natural size. This is erroneously called the " Stock 

 Dove" by some authors. 



JMale and female Kestril Falcon — Falco tinnunculus, Linn. — 

 Faucon cresserelle, Fr. — Falco acertello. It. — Turm Falke, G. — 

 The figures are not wanting in character, but the plumage is too 

 lax, and the air of the birds is not sufficiently bold and falconine. 

 Inhabits the whole of Europe in greater abundance than any other 

 of the genus, and also parts of Asia and Africa contiguous to the 

 shore. Hovers over fields and waste lands in quest of small mam- 

 malia, birds, frogs, insects, &c., which it seizes in the usual manner 

 of the Falconidse. The male acquires its beautiful adult plumage 

 at the age of three years, the female at the first moult. Young 

 males resemble the females ; and " this," says our author, " is the 

 cause that so large a proportion of the birds bear the plumage just 

 referred to, since but comparatively few survive the second year of 

 their existence." The female differs from the male in the browner 

 colour of the upper parts, and in having the upper parts and tail 

 barred with brown. The figures are three-fourths of the natural 

 size. 



The Ivy Wren — Anorthura troglodytes, Morris — Anorthure ordi- 

 naire, Fr. — Geraeine Zaunling, G. Mr. Gould's plate, represent- 

 ing an adult bird of the natural size, is infinitely inferior to the 

 really spirited and characteristic figure given by Lewin, who has 

 occasionally, though but seldom, hit off his birds most admirably. 

 It is diffused abundantly over the whole of Europe, and occurs also 

 in Asia and Africa, and the countries bordering on the arctic circle. 

 Abounds in the thickets of the cultivated parts of England, de- 

 lighting especially in heaps of dead brushwood lying on the ground, 

 and fluttering off, with a harsh twitter, on the approach of man. 

 The song is short and loud, and is heard almost throughout the 



VOL. VI., NO. XIX. K 



