SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. *2W 



Latham and other British ornithologists. Subsequent and more 

 correct observation has served to rectify this perplexing error, and 

 remove another stumbling-block from the paths of ornithology. 

 The northern regions of Europe and America are the native and 

 habitual haunts of this line bird. On the approach of winter it 

 visits,, in its migration southwards^ the northern districts of our own 

 island, and, more especially, the inland waters of Germany and 

 Holland. Fishes, the smaller Crustacea, and molluscous animals, 

 constitute its principal food. The female is said to lay from twelve 

 to fourteen cream-coloured eggs : but of its nidification little is, at 

 present, known. Mr. Gould's plate represents a male and female, 

 two thirds of the natural size, and most admirably executed. 



Plate V. — The Whinchat, — Saxicola rubetra, Rubetra migra- 

 toria. Blyth, — Motacilla rubetra, Linnaeus, — Sylvia rubetra, La- 

 tham, — Traquet Tarier, F., — Braunkehliger Steinschmatger, G. 

 A summer- visitant of the British islands ; hence the propriety of the 

 specific designation migratoria, by which it is now distinguished from 

 the only other British species of the genus, the Stone-Chat, — R. 

 rubicola. It is, however, obvious that, whenever practicable, the 

 specific name should be drawn, not from the habits of the bird un- 

 cognizable by the organs of touch or vision, but from some perma- 

 nent and unerring peculiarity of exterior configuration or colouring, 

 which the eye of the observer can at once discriminate. In what 

 points, independently of its migratory habits, does the present sub- 

 ject of our discussion differ from its congener, the Stone-Chat ? 

 Principally in the broad streak, or band, of pure- white, which passes 

 from the base of the bill, above the eye, nearly to the occiput. 

 Why then not, at once, designate the bird Rubetra albi-striata ; or 

 give it any other more appropriate specific name indicative of this 

 visible and unerring peculiarity of character ? The plate of Mr. 

 Gould, representing a male and female, of the adult age, is executed 

 with his wonted elegance, talent, and felicity. 



Plate VI. — The Missel-thrush, Turdus viscivorus, — Merle 

 Draine, F., — Tordo maggiore. It, — Mistel-drossel, G. This bird, 

 the largest of the European Turdi, is principally distinguished, 

 from its congeners, by the grey colour of the space which exists be- 

 tween the eye and bill; and instead of deriving its specific designa- 



