SKETCHES OP EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 43 



adult and a young bird of the year, of the natural size. The native 

 habitat of this common and well-known bird " extends throughout 

 the northern regions of both hemispheres." It is a truly oceanic 

 species, only frequenting rocky shores during the breeding season. 

 It abounds on the rocky coasts of the whole of northern Europe, 

 '' whence it migrates southwards on the approach of winter, return- 

 ing again with the vast shoals of fishes which pass northward in 

 spring." " After breeding they undergo a partial moult," and 

 " lose their primaries so simultaneously as to be incapable of flight 

 for a considerable period ; a circumstance of little moment, as they 

 easily elude pursuit by diving, in which they excel surprisingly." 



Part X. — Rock Pigeon, Columba livia — Colombe biset, Fr. — 

 Haus Taube, G. Mr. Gould's figure is, in many respects, excellent, 

 especially as regards the feathering ; the shape is not so perfect as it 

 might be. The representation is of the size of life. It is tolerably 

 certain that this bird is the origin of the dove-cot Pigeon. Inhabits 

 Europe and Africa, particularly the north of the latter country, 

 frequenting rocks and deserted buildings on the sea-coast. Very 

 common along the shores of the JMediterranean, and with us in the 

 Orkneys ; according to the author of the work before us, it is " also 

 to be met with wherever abrupt rocks near the sea afford it a con- 

 genial asylum." Lays its two white eggs on the shelves of the 

 rocks, and " is said to breed twice or thrice in the season." Judg- 

 ing by the fecundity of the domesticated race, this seems by no 

 means improbable. Feeds on grain and seeds, also slugs, &c. The 

 sexes closely resemble each other, but we believe a slight variation 

 in the brightness of the rich metallic hues on the neck might sen'c 

 to distinguish them. 



Redbacked Shrike, Lanius collurio — Pie-grieche ecorcheur, Fr. 

 — Velia minor. It. — Rothriickiger Vurger, G. This bird is not 

 known in Scotland, but is the commonest of the genus in England, 

 especially in the midland and southern counties, arriving at the close 

 of April or the beginning of IMay, according to the forwardness or 

 otherwise of the spring. Also inhabits the whole of Europe and 

 North Africa. It frequents downs and open pastures, singly or in 

 pairs, and is partial to liedge-rows. Feeds on grasshoppers, beetles, 

 and " the larger kinds of flies, which it often takes on the wing," 

 in a similar manner to the Flycatclier. It is also " known to at- 

 tack young and feeble birds, mice, lizards, slugs, &c., which," like 

 most of its congeners, " it impales on a sharp thorn or spike previ- 

 ously to tearing them to pieces." " Builds its nest in sharp thorny 

 buslics, often at a considerable distance from the ground, construct- 



