138 
SKETCHES OP EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
Blyth, —Fauvette babillard, Fr. —Klapper Sanger, G.—It differs from the last 
in its smaller size, and in having the whole under parts of a silvery white. Mr, 
Gould’s figure is a very good one. This bird is less common in England than 
the Whitethroated Fauvet, and has seldom been traced further to the North than 
Yorkshire. Inhabits the warmer parts of Europe. It is shy in its habits, but is 
rather more of a tree-bird than the last species ; builds in low bushes, Brambles, 
Nettles, &c., and is often seen threading the interstices of hedges and brakes ; it 
is partial to orchards, and may be seen at the tops of lofty trees. Eggs four or 
five, nearly white, blotched at the larger end with gray. It is, also, a Summer 
visitant, and has a pleasant song, which we never heard it utter on the wing. 
Sexes resemble each other. Both these figures are of the natural size, and in 
their Spring plumage. 
A lovely representation of the Wood Pigeon, Columba arborea, N. Wood,— 
Colombe des-bois, Fr.~ Holtz Taube, G.—Inhabits the middle countries of 
Europe, being less abundant in the other regions. Occurs in the midland coun¬ 
ties of England, in large woods. We are informed by Mr. J. D. Salmon, that it 
Is very common in the sandy district of Norfolk, where it breeds in deserted Rab¬ 
bit-burrows, and the young are caught before they are able to fly. In general, 
however, it builds its nest in the holes of old trees, making little or no nest, and 
laying two white eggs. Food: peas, and the seed of other plants belonging to 
the Bean family (Fabaceoe), and also Turnip tops, Corn, &c. The sexes are 
similar, but the young, as in other Pigeons, do not possess the metallic lustre of 
the adults. The figure is of the natural size. This is erroneously called the 
u Sfoc/c Dove” by some authors. 
Male and female Kestril Falcon, Falco tinnunculus , Linn., —Faucon cres- 
serelle, Fr .'—-Falco aeertello, It .—Turm Falke, G.—The figures are not wanting 
in character, but the plumage is too lax, and the air of the birds is not sufficiently 
bold and falconine. Inhabits the whole of Europe in greater abundance than any 
other of the genus, and also parts of Asia and Africa contiguous to the shore. 
Hovers over fields and waste lands in quest of small Mammalia , birds, Frogs? 
insects, &c., which it seizes in the usual manner of the Falconidce. The male 
acquires its beautiful adult plumage at the age of three years, the female at the 
first moult. Young males resemble the females; and “ this,” says our author, 
“ is the cause that so large a proportion of the birds bear the plumage just referred 
to, since but comparatively few survive the second year of their existence.” The 
female differs from the male in the browner colour of the upper parts, and in 
having the upper parts and tail barred with brown. The figures are three-fourths 
of the natural size. 
Ivy Wren, Anorthura troglodytes ,—Anorthure ordinaire, Fr .—Gemeine Zaun- 
ling, G.—Mr. Gould’s plate, representing an adult bird of the natural size, is 
