CENTRAL EUROPE. — BIRDS. ° 33 
(45.) Of the hamsters, remarkable for their cheek 
pouches, one species is chiefly found in Siberia ; but an- 
other (Cricetus vulgaris) is distributed over Central and 
Northern Europe. ‘Two species of marmots (Arctomys 
Marmotta and Bobac), and the Spermophilus citillus, or 
Soulisk of the Germans, occur in this region. Four 
species of hare and rabbit complete the list of the Euro- 
pean Gilires. 
(46.) On turning to the ruminating order of quad- 
rupeds, we find the elk and the reindeer of the northern 
latitudes giving place to the fallow deer, the stag, and 
the roebuck in the central parts of Europe. The 
lofty and inaccessible precipices of the Alps and Pyre- 
nees still afford shelter to the chamois, the yzard, and 
the ibex, notwithstanding the daring intrepidity of their 
hunters. The musmon is another of the wild Europe. 
an animals, possessing much interest, from being the 
origin of all our domesticated sheep : it is said, although 
not by any recent authority, still to exist in a state of 
nature among the high mountains of Corsica and Sar- 
dinia; and although now extirpated from the continent, 
there is good reason for believing that it formerly existed 
on the mountains of Spain. In the early ages, wild oxen 
were common in most parts of temperate Europe ; and 
they are mentioned, even by our own historians, as in- 
festing the forests which then surrounded London! 
The white ox, formerly wild in Scotland, is now only 
known from the breed having bee. preserved in one or 
two of the parks of our nobility. 
(47.) The ornithology of Central Europe has many 
peculiarities. On the highest summits of the Alps, and 
in the large and elevated forests which still remain in 
Hungary and the Tyrol, are found all the four species 
of European vultures. Only one of three, the fulvous 
vulture (V. fulvus L.) appears to enjoy a range further 
north ; yet all extend their peregrinations as far as Italy, 
and two are even found on the northermost limits of 
Africa and Western Asia. The great-eared owl (Sévix 
D 
