250 SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



Whiteheaded Osprey, Pandion leucocephalus Aigle a-tete- 



blanche, Fr. — Aquila di-coda-bianca, II. Two spirited figures, by- 

 Lear. A native of the northern and temperate parts of both con- 

 tinents, but much more abundant in America. The white on the 

 head and tail are not observed in full purity till the third year. 

 This species was formerly confounded with Osdfraga albicilla, 

 Wilson has described its habits in his usual felicitous manner. 



Meadow Bunting, Emberiza cia, liinn. — Bruant de-pre, Fr. — 

 Zivolo dei-prati, //. — Zip Ammer, G. Rather pretty cuts of a pair 

 of these birds. " Although common in the meadows bordering the 

 Rhine, as well as in the southern parts of France, Italy, Spain, and 

 adjoining the Mediterranean, it does not appear to be distributed in 

 the north, as is the case with so many of its congeners, neither Hol- 

 land nor England being among the places of its habitat." The 

 Meadow Bunting closely resembles our Reed Bunting in habits 

 and somewhat in plumage. Indeed, it has been confounded both 

 with Emberiza schceniculus and E. Lesbia. " The food of this bird, 

 as its feeble bill indicates, consists of the small seeds of farinaceous 

 plants, such as millet, canary, &c. It constructs a nest in bushes 

 and tufts of herbage, and not unfrequently on the ground ; the eggs 

 are five in number, of a whitish colour, marked with a few lines 

 of black." The plumage of the female is slightly more sombre than 

 that of the male. 



The Grey Squaterole, Squatarola cinerea — Vanneau pluvier, Fr. 

 The only European species of the genus, which, as our author ob- 

 serves, forms a link between Charadrius and Vanellus. Inhabits the 

 north of Europe and America, but little is known of its nidification. 

 It is common on our sea-coasts, and well known to persons residing 

 in such situations ; but we cannot settle the question whether or 

 not it regularly breeds with us. The adult bird, in spring plumage, 

 in the plate lying open before us, is remarkably well done. 



Black Chat, Saxicola cachinnans, Teram. — Traquet rieur, Fr. — 

 a bird classed, singularly enough, by Gmelin, Latham, Cuvier, &c., 

 in the genus Turdus ; and we feel certain that it will not remain 

 long in company with the Chats. The Black Chat is shy and timid, 

 frequenting lonely rocky places, and feeding on insects. "Nidifica- 

 tion," says M. Temminck, "unknown." These birds are black, 

 with a white rump, and part of some of the tail-feathers white ; 

 the female is known by her duller hue. We much admire the 

 plate, containing a male and female, natural size. 



Two figures — an adult and a young bird — of the Ring Pigeon, 

 Columba palumbiis, Colombe ramier, Fr. — Colombaccio, It. — Ringel 



