SKETCHES OP EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 243 



from Mr. Gould's representation — for we have never seen the bird 

 itself — the Siberian Tit is an elegant and lively little species. 



Creamcoloured Courser, Cursorius Isabellinvs — Courvite Isa- 

 belle, Fr. — Corrione biondo. It. A native of North Africa and Si- 

 beria, frequently migrating to southern Europe, and even visiting 

 Britain occasionally. Runs with great swiftness on the sandy 

 plains, which it so closely resembles in colour, feeding on insects. 

 Nidification unknown, or at best doubtful. The sexes are similar, 

 but the young birds lack the black occipital patch of the adults. 

 The general colour of the adults is delicate fawn colour above, 

 lighter beneath. The plate is all that we can desire. 



Two representations of the Pied Flycatcher, Muscicapa luctuosa 

 — Gobemouche becfigue, Fr. — Schwartzriickiger Fliegenfanger, G. 

 Common in France and Germany, but especially so on the Europe- 

 an coasts of the Mediterranean ; in England it chiefly occurs in 

 Yorkshire, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Derbyshire. It lives 

 on small insects, in taking which it is extremely expert. Builds in 

 hollow trees, laying from four to six pale blue eggs. 



A male WhitecoUared Flycatcher, Muscicapa albicollis — Go- 

 bemouche a-collier, Fr. — Fliegenfange mit-Halsbande, G. Mr. 

 Gould has seen a specimen of this bird said to have been killed in 

 England ; but we perfectly agree with him in doubting its authen- 

 ticity. " In winter, according to the above-quoted author []Tem- 

 minck], both these species lose the black plumage of summer, and 

 assume an uniform brown livery over all the upper parts, at which 

 season the young, females and males, resemble each other : on the 

 return of spring they moult again, the males assuming their black 

 livery." Both these species are song birds, and the notes of each are 

 different ; the eggs also differ. 



The Spotted Nightling, Noctua passerina — Cheveche, Fr. — 

 Civetta gialla. It. — Kleiner Kautz, G. A sweet little cut, taken 

 from a full-grown bird, and given of the natural size. Seldom 

 occurs in Europe beyond the 55° of north latitude ; common in the 

 warmer districts of this quarter, and ranks as an occasional visitant 

 in the British fauna. Builds in deserted castles and towers, and 

 lays from two to four white rounded eggs. It is said to be of a sa> 

 vage and untameable disposition, but, according to Selby, is often 

 kept in large wicker cages in France and Flanders, where it is ex- 

 posed for sale. It feeds on Mice, Shrews, &c., and on small birds, 

 which it takes at roost. It will also eat Locusts, Beetles, and other 

 insects. 



Common Dipper, Cinclus aqiiaticus — Cinde plongeur, Fr. Mr. 



