SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
477 
constitute its native habitat. Our knowledge of this species is so limited that we 
are unable to state with certainty whether the black gorget is characteristic of 
the summer plumage, or whether, when once acquired, it is permanent: we 
suspect the latter to be the case, as we have received specimens in various stages 
of plumage, some of which were totally devoid of the black throat, while others 
had it partially developed; in all probability these last were females or imma¬ 
ture birds.” 
Yellow Bunting, Emberiza citrinella ,—Bruant jaune, Fr .—Gold A miner,* 
G.— : A male and female are represented : the former being a very pleasing figure 
of this beautiful bird. Confined to Europe, where it is everywhere indigenous 
and extremely abundant. We need proceed no further with its history. 
Marsh Harrier, Circus rufus ,—Busard de-marais, Fr .—Falco albanella, It. 
— SumpfWeihe, G.— Lear has here displayed his talents to great effect in 
figures of an adult and a young bird about three-fourths of the natural size. 
Inhabits the low marshy portions of Europe, Africa, and a considerable part of 
Asia. From the circumstance of most of the individuals of this species shot in 
Britain being young birds, our author opines that but few Marsh Harriers breed 
in our Island. Being a conspicuous bird, and many years attaining its mature 
attire, the adult is very rarely found with us. 44 It is certain that it breeds 
while yet in the deep chocolate-coloured plumage,” which it retains during many 
of its earlier years. The tail-feathers and secondaries are grej r in the adult- 
4u Like the rest of the Harriers its flight is buoyant and sweeping, but generally 
at a low elevation : it traverses over the moors and marshes in search of its prey, 
which consists of Frogs, Lizards, Mice, insects, and even fish. The nest is placed 
on the ground among low bushes or Reeds, generally near the edge of the water: 
the eggs are four in number, white, and rounded.” 
Barred Fauvet, Curruca nisoria ,—Becfin rayee, Fr .—Gesperbter Gras- 
miicke, G.—A male of the natural size, and apparently a good figure. We feel 
pretty well assured that it will be found necessar}?- to institute a new genus for 
the reception of this species, as no generic group with which we are acquainted in 
the Warbler family ( Sylviadce ) could find a place for it. 44 Temminck informs 
us that it inhabits bushes and thickets, is abundantly spread throughout the 
north, occurring in Sweden and in the provinces of the north of Germany and 
Hungary : it is of more rare occurrence in Austria, and is also found in Lombardy. 
Its food consists of insects, caterpillars, Worms, and berries. It builds in tufted 
Hawthorn-bushes, and lays four or five eggs, of a whitish colour, blotched with 
purplish-ash or pure ash-colour.” 44 The young, before their first moult, have the 
whole of the body marked with minute transverse rays of ashy brotvn ; irides 
* Ammer is the German for Bunting, whence our <s Yellow Hammer as provincial^- applied to 
E. citrinella. 
VOL. III.- N b. XXIV. 3 R 
