SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 49 



which consists exclusively of fish of various species, with the utmost 

 facility." Lays one egg on the bare rock, just above the reach of 

 the highest tides. " Its colour is tinged with buff, marked with 

 spots and crooked lines of brownish black. The young take to the 

 water immediately after exclusion from the egg, and follow the 

 adults with fearless confidence." In winter, the jet black on the 

 throat and neck give way to white. 



Chaff Finch, Fringilla ccelebs, — Grosbec pinson, Fr. — Fringillo 

 comune, //. — Gemeine Fink, G. We really think Mr. Gould 

 might have given figures more worthy of his distinguished fame as 

 an ornithological painter, though, unquestionably, they might have 

 been much worse. Every field ornithologist of any experience well 

 knows that the sexes of this bird separate at a certain season. 

 None of our smaller native birds are more universally or plentifully 

 distributed in Britain than the Chaff Finch. The tints of the male 

 are far brighter in spring than in winter. 



Gargany Teal, Querquedula circia, — Sarcelle d'ete, Fr. — Anatra 

 cercedula, // — Knak Ente, G. Our author has succeeded as well 

 with this species as with most of his other Anal'idse, figuring an 

 adult male and female of the natural size. Dispersed throughout 

 North Africa, Asia, and Europe, passing into the British Islands in 

 April and May, frequenting lakes and meres. It proceeds to more 

 northern countries to breed, placing its nest amongst herbage near 

 the water ; lays eight or ten white eggs. Feeds, like the other 

 Ducks which are incapable of diving, on the tops of aquatic plants, 

 insects, shelled Snails, and their larvae. The beautiful tints of the 

 adult male in summer at once distinguish the nuptial attire. The 

 young males, and adult males in winter, closely resemble the fe- 

 male. 



Black-backed Gull, Larus marinus, — Goeland a-manteau-noir, 

 Fr. — Mantel Meve, G. A beautiful figure of an individual two- 

 thirds of the natural size, and represented swimming. Inhabits 

 Europe and America, and is common in Britain. It is three years 

 coming to maturity, and this circumstance has, of course, caused 

 much confusion, by multiplying synonyms. " The British Islands 

 afford several localities which are resorted to by this Gull for the 

 purpose of breeding, among which, according- to Selby, may be enu- 

 merated the steep holmes and sandy islands in the British Channel, 

 Souliskerry in the Orkneys, the Bass Island in the Firth of Forth, 

 and one or two stations on the Scottish coast." The nest, placed on 

 the ground, consists of Reeds, Rushes, and Flag leaves. " The eggs 

 are three in number, like those of the Herring Gull in shape, but 

 VOL. VIII , no. xxni. 8 



