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PRATINCOLE, AUSTRIAN. 

 COLLARED PRATINCOLE. 

 GLAEEOLA TOEQUATA, Flem. 



The Austrian Pratincole has seldom been taken 

 in this country. It inhabits the borders of rivers, 

 lakes, and inland seas, particularly such as form 

 extensive marshes covered with reeds and other 

 aquatic herbage. Its flight is singularly rapid, 

 even surpassing that of the Swallow tribe. Its 

 food consists of flies, beetles, aquatic insects, &c. ; 

 and it captures its prey not only upon the wing, 

 but upon the ground, being capable of running 

 with great celerity. The Pratincole builds amongst 

 the rushes and other thick herbage, and lays from 

 four to six eggs of a pale bufiy stone colour, 

 marked with bluish grey and dull black blotches. 

 The egg, by its colour and markings, much re- 

 sembles that of the Ring Plover. 



PUFFIN, SEA PARROT. 



FBATEECCLA AECTICA, Flem. 



In the end of spring the individuals of this 

 species make their appearance about the islands 

 and headlands on which they breed, on various 



