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 Glires. 



(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 aflEbrd 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 beheving 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 been preserved in one or 

 two of the parks of our nobility. 



(47.) The ornithology of Central Europe has many 

 pecuharities. 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 (SMjt 



