SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 277 



served to rectify the error. This structure, of which even Tem- 

 minck's description fails to convey a correct idea, is well illustrated 

 by Latham's drawing, — figures 1 and 2, — in plate xv. of vol. iv. of 

 The Linnean Transactions. 



Plate XVI. — The Grey-headed Green Woodpecker, Picus 



canus, — (P. viridis Norvegicus, viridicanus, — canicepSy of vari- 

 ous authors), — Pic cendre Fr., — Piechio verde di Norvegia, It.,—-' 

 der Graukopfige oder Grungraue Specht, G., — has very frequently 

 been confounded with Picus viridis, the common Green Wood- 

 pecker of Europe ; but may be distinguished from that bird by its 

 rather smaller size, and the grei/ colour of the head ; the red mark 

 on the top of which is more circumscribed, while in the female it is 

 entirely wanting. It inhabits the north of Europe, and, — if Tem-, 

 minck's assertion, the accuracy of which is, however, questioned by 

 Mr. Gould, may be relied upon, — the corresponding regions of Ame- 

 rica. The figures of a male and female, of the natural size, are 

 here admirably delineated. The designation, viridicanus, applied 

 to this species, is, in our opinion, by far the most appropriate. 



Plate XVII. — The Sardinian Warbler, — Curruca melanoce- 

 pkala, — Bee-fin Melanocephale, Fr., — is here represented in two 

 figures, male and female, of the natural size. It is an inhabitant of 

 Spain, Sardinia, and the Neapolitan dominions : insectivorous, and 

 nearly-allied to our own melodious Black-cap. The head of the 

 male is deep-black: that of the female, dark leaden-grey. The 

 nest is formed in bushes near the ground ; eggs, five in number, 

 yellowish-white, with dark spots. An inspection of this charming 

 plate confirms the impression which we were previously disposed to 

 entertain, that, if possible, the smaller species of birds are more ex- 

 quisitely delineated than the larger, by Mr. Gould. The species is 

 referred to the genus Sylvia, by Latham ; by Gmelin, to Motacilla* 



Plate XVIII. — The Golden Plover, — Charadrius pluvialis, — 

 Pluvier dore, Fr., — Piviere dorato. It., — Goldregenpfeifer, G. The 

 Latin term, Pluvialis, is now employed as designative of the Plover 

 genus ; and five British species, — see p. 208 of our present number, 

 — are described as belonging to it. The subject of the present plate 

 is the Green Plover — PL viridis— of modern ornithologists. The 

 extraordinary change of plumage which the bird exhibits in the 



