262 SKETCHES OK EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



Bramble Finch, Fringilla montana Groshec d' Ardennes, Fr. 



— Fringillo montanino, //. — Berg Fink, G. The figures, of an 

 adult male and female, are faithful portraitures. The Bi-amble 

 Finch is abundant in all the elevated districts, being resident in 

 some countries, migratory in others. In England it is not a com- 

 mon bird, and is only met with in winter. British specimens may, 

 however, be seen in every collection, and we have met with several 

 individuals in Yorkshire and the midland counties. " They appear 

 to evince a decided preference to woods of Beech, on the mast of 

 which they for a time subsist, feeding also on various seeds and the 

 shoots of tender vegetables. Although it is very probable that a 

 limited number remain to breed in the northern parts of this island, 

 yet we have never been able to verify the fact. It is said to incu- 

 bate in forests of lofty Pine and Spruce, the nest being composed of 

 moss and wool, lined with feathers and hair. The eggs are white, 

 spotted with yellowish brown, four or five in number." The 

 colours of the female are less bright than those of the other sex, and 

 the parts which in winter are brown in the male become black in 

 summer. 



Peewit Lapwing, Fa?iellus cristatus — Vanneau huppe, Fr. — Pa- 

 oncella commune, //. — Gehaiibte Kiebitz, G. Abundant through- 

 out Europe, frequenting swampy places, wide moors, and stubble 

 lands, and being at once distinguished by its peculiar cry and ele- 

 gant and varied evolutions on the wing. Also occurs in India and 

 Africa, but is restricted to the old world. We are a little"surprised 

 to find Mr. Gould characterizing the flight of this bird as " heavy, 

 flapping, and apparently performed with considerable exertion." 

 Surely the author cannot be speaking from personal observation. — 

 Lays four eggs, olive colour and blotched with black, on the bare 

 ground. Feeds on Worms, Slugs, and insects. The young birds, 

 which are hatched early in spring, make a noise greatly resembling 

 tlie well-known peewit of the adults. The male is brighter than 

 the female, and his black throat changes in winter to white. The 

 young attain the adult plumage in the second year. The figures, 

 representing a male and female in summer and winter plumage, are 

 rather too green, but otherwise good. 



Citril Siskin, Carduelis citrine/la — Grosbec venturon, Fr. — Citro- 

 nen Fink, G. Very pretty figures of a pair of these elegant birds. 

 Never seen in England, but common in the mountainous districts of 

 southern Europe, building on the branches of the Larch and Fir. 

 Lays four whitish eggs, with numerous brown blotches of various 

 sizes. Feeds on the seeds of Alpine plants. It is reported to be a 



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