358 
SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
points, and of a firm elastic texture; in the body being more bulky, and larger 
in all its proportions, in the tarsi being stouter, of a different colour, jand consider¬ 
ably shorter.” Baron De Feldegg, however, observes that adults may be found 
at all seasons both with and without the crest. “ The young, which are very 
seldom seen, are wholly brownish grey, the feathers being much finer and closer 
in texture, and more silky in appearance than in adults.” This bird appears to 
have been discovered, by the above-mentioned gentleman, in Dalmatia in 1828." 
Yellow-breasted Bunting, Emberiza aureola ,—Bruant oreole, Fr. The 
Buntings have ever been favourites with us, and the present species appears even 
to surpass the others of its genus, which we have long been wont to admire, in 
the tasteful distribution of its rich tints. Beautiful figures of the male and 
female are given. Its native habitats are Kamtschatka, Siberia, and the Crimea, 
but it has occasionally been found within the eastern confines of Europe. The 
female lacks the bright hues of the male, but, like the females of all the Buntings 
with which we are acquainted, is nevertheless a handsome creature, “ A speci¬ 
men of the male, one of the very finest we have ever seen, was obligingly lent to 
us by T. B. L. Baker, Esq., of Hardwicke Court, Gloucester,” who some years 
ago published a general catalogue of birds. 
Whistling Swan, Cygnus ferus , — Cygne a-bee-jaune, Fr . — Cygno salvatico, 
It .—Sing Schwan, G. Mr. Lear has represented an adult, one-third of the 
living size, in rather a difficult position, namely, standing on land; but he has 
acquitted himself admirably. This bird is confined to the north of Europe and 
Asia; its more particular habitat being within the Arctic circle. In severe 
winters it is not uncommon in England, but it seldom occurs here in mild seasons. 
A few pairs used formerly to breed in the north of Britain. Mr. Gould observes 
that the Whistling Swan is kept in a half-domesticated state in the parks of some 
noblemen, though we never met with it anywhere. Its habits and economy appear 
closely to resemble those of the Mute Swan. The eggs are four inches in length, 
and two and three-quarters in breadth. The adult female is smaller than the 
other sex. “ Its usual call-note resembles the sound of the word hoop, loudly and 
hoarsely uttered several times in succession.” 
Black Scoter, Oiclemia nigra ,—Canard macreuse, Fr .—Trauer Ente, G. 
A lovely and very characteristic figure of the adult male, natural size. Common 
on the shores of England and the Continent, subsisting “ almost entirely on 
bivalves, such as the Common Mussel, &c.; and they especially abound where 
large beds of these shell-fish afford them an unfailing supply of favourite diet, 
their close adpressed plumage and great power of diving admirably fitting them 
for their destined mode of life. It passes southward when the lakes and rivers in 
its summer haunts become frozen. Of its nidification nothing is ascertained. This 
