27<> SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



near Vienna. " The specific term fluviatilis, as applied to the pre- 

 sent bird, conveys an erroneous impression," observes Mr. Gould, 

 " for M. Natterer informs us, that although it resorts to low situa- 

 tions, it nevertheless does not confine itself to reed-beds, but rather 

 prefers swampy copices and thickets/' With deference to Mr. 

 Gould, we submit that the term jluvialilis (translated riverain by 

 the French) is applicable : it implies nothing respecting reeds ; and 

 why Reed Locuslelle, instead of River Locustelle, should have been 

 fixed upon as the English name we cannot conceive. 



Red-breasted Goose, Anser ruficollis, Pall. — Oie a couroux, F. 

 — Die Rothals Gans, G. Mr. Lear is successful in the figure of 

 this splendid bird ; it is a masterly drawing. — The Red-breasted 

 Goose is a native of the north-eastern regions of Asia, whence a few 

 individuals occasionally wander westward and southward : four or 

 five instances are on record of its having been taken in our island. 

 The first instance was in 1776, near London ; the bird passed into 

 the hands of Mr. Tunstall, and is now in the museum at Newcastle- 

 upon-Tyne. Another was captured alive, near Wyclifle, and was 

 kept alive some years by the gentleman above-mentioned. A third 

 was killed near Berwick-upon-Tweed, and formed part of Mr. 

 Bullock's celebrated collection. Others, Mr. Stephen informs us, 

 were killed in the severe winter of 1813, in Cambridgeshire. 



Honey Buzzard, Pernis apivonts — Base Bordree, Fr. — Wes- 

 pen Busard, G. A good and well-drawn figure. — The Honey-buz- 

 zard is far more abundant in the British Islands than is generally 

 suspected, several instances having come to our knowledge, not only 

 of its capture but also of its breeding in this country. Its flight is 

 easy and graceful, and like its near ally, the Butes vulgaris, its 

 great size attracts the notice of the keeper and sportsman, to whom 

 it soon becomes a prey when it takes up its abode in our woods or 

 parks. The range of this bird is not confined to Europe alone, as 

 is proved by our frequently having observed it in collections from 

 India. Insects, the larvae of wasps and bees, lizards, and mice 

 constitute its food. From the common Buzzard it may be at once 

 distinguished by the • mall and closely-set feathers which cover the 

 space between the bill and the eye, which space, in all the rest of 

 the Falconidae is either bare or thinly covered with fine hair or 

 bristles. 



Common Night Heron, Nyclicorax Europseus, — Bihoreau a man- 

 teau noir, Fr. — Der Nacht-Rheiher, G. — Sgarza nitticora, It. — 

 A bold and masterly drawing of an adult and young bird ; it is full 

 of life and spirit. — " No bird," says Mr. Gould, " can better show 



