48 SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



young of both sexes are destitute of the varied plumage which cha- 

 racterizes the adult male. The plate represents an adult male and 

 a young bird of the year, pleasingly executed, of the living propor- 

 tions. 



An adult male, natural size, of the Hawk Sum, Surnia funerca, 

 — Chouette caparoch, Fr., — Habichts Eule, G. A beautiful figure. 

 The habitat of this bird extends throughout the arctic regions of 

 both continents, and it occurs in France and Germany, but not in 

 England. The Hawk Surn is often seen abroad in the day time ; 

 and this, in conjunction with its habits and structure, points out the 

 passage effected between the Harriers and the typical Slrigidcc by 

 this species. It builds in trees, and lays two white eggs. The sex- 

 es offer no material difference. 



Common Serin, Serintis Jlavescens, Gould,— Grosbec serin, Fr.,— 

 Girlitz, G. We perfectly coincide with our author in the expedi- 

 ency of removing the Serin from the genus Fringilla. The native 

 habitat of the Common Serin is limited to the south of Europe, in 

 many parts of which it is very abundant, frequenting the margins 

 of rivers and lakes, especially where the Willow and Alder abound. 

 " It is also common in copses and orchards, where it breeds, making 

 its nest, which is of small dimensions, in lovv trees and bushes, of 

 vegetable fibres and grasses lined with wool." The female and 

 young want the yellow on the forehead. Beautiful figures of this 

 elegant little species are supplied in the plate before us. 



Common Wigeon, Mareca penelope, — Canard siffleur, Fr., — Ana- 

 tra marigiana, It., — Pfeif Ente, G. Lovely figures of the male 

 and female, rather under the natural size. The Wigeon abounds in 

 our lakes and rivers in winter ; also occurs in considerable numbers 

 in the lowlands of the continent. It is a vegetable feeder, nibbling 

 the grasses, &c., on which it subsists, near the surface of the water. 

 Although most of these birds take their departure for the north in 

 spring, a few stragglers probably remain and breed in this country. 

 Lays eight or ten dull greyish-green eggs. It is impossible to mis- 

 take the sexes. 



Blackheaded Xeme, Xana melatiocepkala—^Mouette a-capuclwn- 

 noir, Fr. An individual is very well figured, natural size. In 

 winter the jet black on the head, characteristic of the species, 

 changes into white. Common in southern Europe, especially along 

 the shores of the Adriatic ; also abundant in Dalmatia, in the 

 marshes, on which it breeds. Feeds on small fishes, slugs, and ma- 

 rine insects. 



We next find excellent figures of a pair of Cirl Buntings, Emhe. 



