258 SKETCHES OP EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



season, or whether it be the permanent livery of the adult male ; and 

 adds the following : " During our recent visit to Vienna, we had an 

 opportunity of observing both sexes in every stage, an examination of 

 which afforded us abundant proofs that the red plumage is acquired 

 during the first autumn : for we saw many lately fledged that had 

 their plumage thickly spotted ; others that had partially lost their 

 spotted appearance and had partly assumed the red colouring ; and 

 others that had their feathers entirely tinted with this colour ; while 

 the adults were, as most ornithologists have stated, characterized by 

 a plumage of olive green, which appears to be permanent." The 

 nest of the Crossbill is placed in the fork of the topmost branches of 

 the fir and other trees, and is composed of moss and lichens, gene- 

 rally lined with feathers ; the eggs are four or five in number, of 

 a greyish white, marked at the larger end with irregular patches of 

 bright blood red, the remainder minutely speckled with the same 

 colour. Besides the present species, which is a native of the northern 

 regions of the old continent, another, the Loxia pytiopsittacus, 

 Bechst. is also indigenous in northern and central Europe, while 

 two are natives of North America, viz. the Loxia Americana, Wils. 

 and the Loxia leucoptera, Gmel. which last is accidental in north- 

 ern Europe. 



Greenshank, Totanus glottis, Bechst. — Glottis chloropus, Nils. — 

 Chevalier aboyeur, Fr. — Grunfussiger wasserlaiifer, G. — Plantana 

 verderello, It. The easy and natural attitude of the figure repre- 

 senting this elegant species of Sandpiper is happily managed, and the 

 effect of the whole is very pleasing. The Greenshank is a well- 

 known species, and is very widely distributed, being spread over the 

 whole of India, Africa, and Europe. It does not appear, however, to 

 breed in the British island, but visits us in considerable abundance 

 during its vernal and autumnal migrations. According to Mr. Audu- 

 bon, it is a native of the southern parts of North America. It would 

 appear, however, that the American Greenshank, though very close 

 to that of the old world, is in reality a distinct species, and it has been 

 characterized by Prince Charles Lucien Bonaparte under the title of 

 Glottis Floridanus. 



Snowy Owl, Strix Nyctea, Lin. — Surnia Nyctea, Dum. — Chou- 

 ette harfang, Fr Schneekauz, G. — Alucco diurno, It. A magni- 

 ficent plate of a magnificent species ! Two figures, an adult, and a 

 young bird in immature livery, about one-third the natural size, are 

 spiritedly drawn, and the composition of the whole is very masterly ; 

 it is one of Mr. Lear's best efforts. If not strictly indigenous in the 



