SKETCHES OP EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 259 



white patch at the back of the head. Both these birds possess a 

 monotonous song, although the circumstance is not mentioned by 

 Mr. Gould or any other ornithologist. 



Common Ptarmigan, Lagopus mutus — Tetras ptarmigan, Fr. — 

 Pernice Alpestre, //. — Hasenfiissige Waldhun, G. The figures, of 

 adults in summer and winter plumage, though good, are not quite 

 what we could have wisbed. It is well known to the majority of 

 our readers that this bird becomes wholly white in winter, and of a 

 mottled brown in summer, the plumage in the former case assimi- 

 lating with the snow of its native mountains, in the latter with the 

 moss and heath which it frequents. Abounds in the mountainous 

 districts of central Europe, and is also found in the northern dis- 

 tricts ; likewise occurs in North America, and the mountainous 

 parts of Scotland. It incubates early in spring, laying fifteen white 

 eggs mottled all over with purplish brown. The young resemble 

 the female. The male is somewhat larger than the female, and has 

 the black streak on the cheek more intense. 



White-winged Tern, Sterna leucoptera — Hirondelle-de-IMer leu- 

 coptere, Fr. — Sterna nera. It. A beautiful figure, natural size, of 

 an adult. Confined to the south of Europe. " In habits, size, and 

 structure, it strictly resembles the Black Tern ; the pure whiteness 

 of its tail, and the greyish white of its wing, will, however, serve 

 at once to distinguish it from that species." Feeds on insects, 

 worms, and small fishes. The sexes are similar, but young birds 

 have less white on the wing. 



Little Xeme, Xema minutus — Mouette pygmee, Fr. Two very 

 good figures are supplied; representing an adult in winter attire, 

 and a young bird, of the natural size. This little species is very 

 rare in Britain, its true habitat being the east of Europe. Mr. 

 Gould affirms that it never occurs in America. In summer the 

 adults have the head black, and the young resemble the full-grown 

 individuals in winter, but the red of the beak and legs is less in- 

 tense. " Its flight is as light and buoyant as can well be imagined, 

 and its general actions and form resemble those of the rest of the 

 genus." 



Part XII. — Common Nuthatch, Silta Europaea — Sittelle torche- 

 pot, Fr. — Picchio grigio, It. — Kleiber, G. Mr. Gould's figures of 

 a pair of these birds, natural size, are good, but rather too robust. 

 Inhabits Europe, over which it has a wide range. In many of its 

 habits the Nuthatch closely resembles the Woodpeckers, but it dif- 

 fers from them in being able to run up and down the stems of trees, 

 during which process it may often be approached with ease. " The 



VOr.. VII., NO. XXII. LL 



