BRITISH BIRDS. 
15 
colour. The tail consists of twelve feathers ; the mid- 
dle ones are somewhat shorter than those on the out- 
sides ; its under coverts are black, very slightly edged 
and tipped with white. The legs, which are strong, are 
of a reddish colour ; claws pale brown. The female is 
of an olive brown ; all her quills and the tail are edged 
with pale or whitish brown : in our specimen the fea- 
thers on her head were divided from the brow to the 
hinder part. This beautiful bird is a rare visitant in 
this country.* It is found in various parts of Europe 
and Asia, and in most places is migratory. It seems 
to prefer the warmer climates. It is said to be fond of 
locusts, and frequents the places where these destruc- 
tive insects abound, on which account it is held sacred 
by the inhabitants. 
* A pair of them, male and female, were shot in the summer of 1817 ? 
in a tan-yard, in Newcastle ; and another male and a young bird were 
shot out of a flock, at North Sunderland, County of Northumberland, 
in the month of July, 1817. We were favoured by the Hon. Mr Liddell, 
from his museum at Ravensworth Castle, with the specimen, from which 
the foregoing figure was drawn. 
