SKETCHES OP EUROPEAN OBNITHOLOGY. 37 



sion so remarkable in the Jay in its natural haunts. This beautiful 

 and well-known bird is common in the temperate portions of Europe. 



Common Ossifrage, Ossifraga albicilla, — Aigle pygargue, I^r., — 

 Fisch Adler, G. Excellent figures of an adult and a young bird of 

 the first year, one third of the natural size. " It is the most common 

 of the European Eagles, and perhaps the most widely dispersed. In 

 the British Islands it frequently occurs along the rocky shores of 

 England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and the adjacent islands, and 

 many pairs are known annually to breed in different parts of the three 

 last-named countries." Its range over Europe is extensive, but it is 

 most abundant in the northern districts, chiefly resorting to the sea- 

 shore and to the margins of rivers and lakes, in pursuit of fish. It 

 also feeds on hares, lambs, fawns, &c., and even carrion. Builds 

 mostly on rocks, but sometimes on the tops of lofty trees. It lays 

 two white eggs. The sexes are similar, but the young do not attain 

 the mature plumage — characterized by the white on the tail, and 

 the yellow colour of the bill — till three or four years old. 



A male, natural size, of that pretty little bird the Crested Tit, 

 Parus cristatus, — Mesange huppee, Pr., — Hauben Meise, G. Sir 

 W. Jardine assures us that this bird regularly breeds near Glasgow ; 

 and although it is unquestionably a very rare bird in Britain, yet no- 

 thing is commoner than to meet with specimens said to be British, but 

 which are for the most part imported from the continent, in many 

 parts of which it abounds. " In habits it resembles the rest of the 

 smaller Tits, feeding on insects, berries, and the seeds of ever- 

 greens." — M. Temminck says it builds in the holes of walls or trees, 

 or in the abandoned dreys of Squirrels and Pies. The eggs are as 

 many as ten in number, of a white colour, marked on the larger end 

 with spots of blood red. The sexes ofl"er no difference in plumage. 



Dusky Sandpiper, Totanus Juscus, — Chevalier arlequin, Fr. 

 The plate represents two individuals, one in summer plumage, 

 the other assuming its winter dress. The figures are good, but 

 we do not find in them quite so much of the graceful form 

 Mr. Gould speaks of in his description. Abounds in many 

 parts of Europe and Asia, breeding in the northern portions of 

 the former. Resorts to the borders of lakes and morasses, and 

 feeds on fresh-water mollusca, insects, and worms. Nidification un- 

 ascertained. The sexes are similar in plumage, but the female is 

 somewhat superior in size, and the young birds are distinguished by 

 the numerous white spots on the back. 



Wood Shrike, Lemius ruftcx — Piegrieclie rousse, Fr — VvVin col- 



