SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
481 
■Buzzard, its great size readily attracts the notice of the keeper and sportsman, 
to whom it soon becomes a prey when it takes up its abode in our woods or 
parks.” The sexes do not differ. 
Common Nighthern, Nycticorax Europeans ,—Bihoreau a-manteau-noir, Fr. 
—Sgarza nitticora, It. —Nacht Reiher, G. —An adult and a young bird, of the 
natural size, are well figured. Dispersed over the whole of Europe, Asia, and 
North Africa, and perhaps, also, North America; but it is not certain whether 
the Nightherns of Europe and America are identical. “ In form it is interme¬ 
diate between the Herons and the Bitterns, and partakes of the habits of both, 
for although it affects more reedy and secluded situations, it frequently resorts 
during the day to high trees and woods, where it may be seen perched on the 
topmost branches. On the approach of evening it retires to the marsh or the 
river-side/which never fail to afford it a plentiful supply of food: when fish 
cannot be obtained it feeds upon Frogs, insects, and Mice. It breeds in society, 
much after the manner of the Common Heron ; and constructs a nest, composed 
entirely of sticks, on the topmost branches of trees, or, where no suitable woods 
are near its accustomed haunts, among Reeds; the eggs are four in number, of a 
pale greenish blue.” The synonyms of this species, in different stages, are very 
numerous. Young birds in nestling plumage have no plumes at the back of 
the head. 
Spotted Zapern, Zopornia porzana ,—Poule-d’eau marouette, Fr. —Gallinella 
sutro, It .—Punktiertes Rohrhuhn, G. —A very characteristic figure, natural size, 
of an adult. Abundant in the northern and eastern parts of Europe, the north 
of Asia, &c., and is a spring visitant with us. The Spotted Zapern and its 
congeners are strictly aquatic, and although not web-footed, they swim with the 
greatest facility. “ The dense vegetation along the borders of marshes and pools 
is the situation to which they are particularly attached: they are rarely seen on 
the wing, and are scarcely ever flushed unless closely pursued by a Dog.” “ Its 
nest,” says Mr. Selby, “ is built among the thick Sedges and Reeds of the 
marshes, and from the foundation of it being frequently placed in water, is com¬ 
posed of a large mass of decayed leaves interlaced, with the hollow neatly formed, 
and comfortably lined. The eggs are eight or ten in number, of a yellowish-grey 
colour, with a tinge of pink, and with round spots of umber-brown of various 
sizes, and with other secondary colours of a lighter shade. It feeds on Worms, 
aquatic insects, Slugs, seeds, &c.; and its flesh is sweet and well-flavoured. In 
autumn it becomes loaded with fat, a layer of nearly a quarter of an inch in 
thickness covering the whole surface of its body.” The sexes and youngYffer no 
remarkable differences of plumage. 
Meadow Pipit, Anthus praiensis ,—Pipit farlause, Fr. —Wiesen Pieper, G .— 
A pair of these birds-—male and female—are prettily figured, with the exception 
