AVES. 337 



his notes, another utters his with peculiar brilliancy, a third |e. gthens his 

 strain in a peculiar manner, and a fourth excels in the silveriness of his 

 voice. All four may excel in their style, and each will find his admirer ; 

 and truly it is very difficult to decide which merits the palm of victory." 



The larger species of nightingale (Philomela major) is abundant in some 

 parts of the continent of Europe, especially Austria, Hungary, and Poland. 

 It is said to sing more generally at night than the former, but does not 

 appear to approach it in general vocal ability. It pronounces notes similar 

 to the names David and Jacob with great distinctness, and with the latter 

 it generally begins its song. 



The black cap warbler, Cur7-uca atricapilla (pi. 103, ßg. 15), is 

 abundant throughout Europe as far north as Sweden. The garden 

 warbler, C. hortensis (pi. 103, ßg. 14), is not so common, and is of more 

 retired habits. The willow wren, Sylvia hippolais (pi. 100, ßg. 7), is 

 another European species. 



This sub-family includes also the redstarts of Europe (Plicenicura), the 

 most abundant species of which is the common redstart, P. ruticilld 

 (pi. 103, ßg. 16). It is a very pretty little bird, with the tail entirely of a 

 deep orange-red color, and inhabits the whole of Europe and probably 

 Asia. Another species is the blue-throated or Swedish redstart, P. suecica 

 (pi. 102, ßg. 12), one of the prettiest of European birds. 



The crested wrens also belong here (Regulus), of which there are 

 numerous species. They are amongst the smallest of birds, and are 

 remarkable for their active habits, and the hardihood with which they 

 brave the northern winters. They are restricted to North America, 

 Northern Europe, and Asia ; the golden-crested wren, R. auricapillus 

 (pi. 103, ßg. 12), is the most numerous species of Europe. 



Sub-fam. 3. ErythacincB, or Robins of the Old World. Bill moderate, 

 more or less slender, rather depressed at base, compressed towards the tip ; 

 wings generally rather short and rounded, sometimes long ; tail usually 

 short and broad, generally even and rather rounded at the end. Tarsi 

 long, slender ; toes moderate, claws curved and acute. Size small. 



This sub-family contains the robins, stonechats, and several other genera 

 of the old world, and the familiar blue-birds of America ; in all about one 

 hundred species. 



The stonechats and wheatears of Europe are classed in the genus 

 Saxicola. They are birds common throughout the continent. The wheat- 

 ear, S. cenanthe (pi. 103, ßg. 18), in Great Britain lives in the moors and 

 open fields, where it makes its nest under large stones or in the crevices of 

 walls. It is a bird of handsome form, but very shy and timid ; though vast 

 numbers are caught in traps for the table, being esteemed a great delicacy. 



The robin or redbreast of Europe is a famous and long established 

 favorite. It is a small bird, not larger than the blue-bird, to which it bears 

 considerable resemblance in habits and general history. Erijthaca 

 rubecula (pi. 102,ßg. 13). 



"The common robin," says Sir William Jardine, "has been frequently- 

 described, and has been the subject of many anecdotes from the time of the 



541 



