358 SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
appears to extend further south than in the old world, seldom advancing beyond 
the north of Germany, and being occasionally met with in the Orkneys. It 
preys on Alpine Hares, Rabbits, Lemmings, Grous, and even, says Mr. Gould, 
on Foxes. It hunts in the day, as might be inferred from an inspection of the 
bird, and is a dexterous fisher, seizing hold of its finny victim by a sudden clutch 
of the foot. 44 It is so shy as to be approached with great difficulty. In the 
woody districts it shows less caution, and, according to Hearne, has been known 
to watch the Grouse-shooters a whole day for the purpose of sharing in the 
spoil. 4 On such occasions it perches on a high tree, and when a bird is shot, 
skims down and carries it off before the sportsman can get near it/ ” Sometimes 
breeds on the ledges of precipitous rocks, and sometimes on the ground, 44 laying 
three or four white eggs, of which only two are in general hatched.” For the 
first three years the Snowy Surn is more or less barred with brown, which gra¬ 
dually disappears afterwards, and the old males are pure spotless white. The 
sexes are similar in plumage, but the female is considerably larger than the male. 
Red Ptarmigan, Lagopm Britannicus ,—Tetras rouge. Fr. The British 
ornithologist feels a peculiar interest in this species, as it has never been known 
to occur out of the British islands ; but since, as every sportsman knows, it is so 
abundant on the heaths of Cumberland, Westmoreland, Yorkshire, Wales, and 
many parts of Ireland, surely we cannot encourage the monopoly of our northern 
brethren by continuing the name L. Scoticus. The plate is beautiful, and repre-^ 
sents a male and female of the natural size. 
Black Kite, Milvus ater ,—Milan noir, Fr ,—Schwartzer Milan, G. The 
figure of an adult, two-thirds of the natural size, is in many respects very fine. 
Common in the south of Europe, but we are not aware of its having ever occurred 
in Britain. Still, considering- the wandering habits of the members of this family,' 
and the great powers of flight possessed by the Kites, Mr. Gould thinks it may 
one day be met with in the southern counties. Also inhabits India and North 
Africa. Our author has noticed this bird in its natural state, and finds its habits 
similar to those of the Common Kite. Builds on trees, laying three or four yel¬ 
lowish white eggs thickly spotted with brown. The sexes and also young birds 
are similar. 
Bar-tailed God wit, Limosa rufa , Barge rousse, Fr .—Dikfussiger Wasser- 
laufer, G. Two pretty figures, representing the summer and winter plumage, 
and of the natural size. Breeds in Iceland, Lapland, and the regions within the 
Arctic circle, but only visits Britain on its vernal and autumnal migrations, thus 
merely considering our island a convenient resting-place on its passage. Frequents 
marshy places and rivers near the' sea, and feeds on aquatic insects, Worms, and 
mollusca. 44 They run with great facility over the oozy ground, and fly, when 
roused, to a considerable distance, uttering as they rise on the wing a hoarse deep 
