266 SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGy. 



The plate is remarkably pleasing. " Generally distributed through- 

 out the seas of the arctic circle, never extending its migrations be- 

 yond the temperate latitudes of Europe in the old world, and the 

 southern portions of the United States in the new. Inhabits the 

 wide expanse of the ocean, the severities of which it braves with in- 

 difference ; indeed, it appears to rejoice in the agitation of the bil- 

 lows, that bring around it multitudes of small fish, which constitute 

 its only support." Lays a single egg on the barren ledges of rocks. 

 In winter adults lose the dusky colour on the throat, aud the old 

 and young birds, at that season, closely resemble each other. The 

 sexes offer no external difference. 



Little Nightling, Noctua tmdipes, Gould — Chouette cheveche, 

 Fr. — Civetta gialla, It. — Kleiner Kauz, G. This bird is not the 

 Strix passerina of Linnaeus, although modern authors have termed 

 it Noctua passerina, and therefore we are glad to find JNIr. Gould 

 has restored Nilsson's designation, nudipes. The plate represents 

 an adult, natural size, very well. Abundant over nearly the whole 

 of temperate Europe, but only a straggler with us. Preys, in the 

 evening, on ]\Iice, Moles, small birds, and large insects. The eggs, 

 four or five, are deposited sometimes in trees, but more commonly 

 in old walls and ruined towers. The sexes and young are similar. 



Bernacle Goose, Anser leucopsis — Oie bernache, Fr. — Weisswan- 

 gige Gans, G. Common in Holland, France, and Germany, and, 

 in winter, on the whole of the western coast of Britain and the 

 north of Ireland, frequenting marshy localities. Feeds on vegeta- 

 bles, seeds, and grain. " Breeds in the regions of the arctic circle, 

 but we have no correct information as to its eggs or its peculiar 

 habits of nidification, in which, however, we conceive it agrees 

 with its congeners." The sexes are similar, but young birds have 

 the face more clouded with black. Mr. Gould's figure of an adult, 

 three-fourths of the size of life, is as good as we could desire. 



