124 
SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
a nest of Grass, in holes or clefts about half way up a Pine-tree, and to lay two 
eggs, in the month of May.” The sexes do not differ. 
Common Tern, Sterna hirundo ,—Hirondelle-de~mer pierre-garrin, Fr. —Roth- 
fussiger Meersehwalbe, G.—The plate contains two adults, one in winter the 
other in summer plumage, and is above all praise. Extends frCm the Arctic 
Circle to the Mediterranean, and even to Africa and India, and is, like the rest of 
the tribe, migratory on our shores. . It frequents rivers and creeks as well as the 
sea-shore, feeding on fish, &c. Makes no nest, but scrapes a hollow in the sand 
beyond high-water mark, laying two or three eggs, varying from olive-green to 
cream-colour, blotched with black and grey. In warm weather the eggs are, 
during the day, said to be left to the influence of the sun; but as the young are 
assiduously attended by their parents, this proves no want of Philoprogenitive¬ 
ness in the species. 
Marmora’s Fauvet, Ficedula sarda ,—Becfin sarde, Fr. —A pair of these 
birds are beautifully delineated. It is nearly allied to Ficedula melanocephala , 
from which, however, it is distinguished b}’' its more feeble and slender beak, &c. 
Inhabits the eastern portions of the European continent, but it is a rare and local 
bird. Dwells in small woods, subsisting on “ insects, which attach themselves 
to the leaves.” Nidification unknown. The female has the under parts lighter 
than the male. 
Short-eared Madge, Otus brackyotus ,—Hybou brachyote, Fr. —Kurzohrige 
Ohreule, G.—The plate contains an exceeding fine figure of an adult male, 
natural dimensions. It is probable that this bird “ may be observed over the 
whole of the four continents ; with the exception of the northern regions.” In 
the greater part of Europe—including Britain—it is well known as a migratory 
bird. 
Cetti Reedling, Salicaria cetti ,—Becfin bouscarle, Fr. —Two adults are well 
•figured. Inhabits the southern and eastern portions of Europe, and the North of 
Africa. Temminck mentions its having been killed several times in England, 
but we have no doubt this is a mistake. It is common in Sicily and Tuscany, 
where it breeds, forming its nest of the stalks of Grasses; the eggs are reddish- 
brown. The sexes do not differ. Mr. Gould places this species provisionally in 
the genus Salicaria; but its obvious relationship to the Wrens {Troglodytes) 
convinces us that it will not long retain its present position. 
Rough-legged Buzzard, Buteo lagopus ,—Buse pattue, Fr. —Rauhfussiger 
Busard, G.—An unexceptionable representation of an adult male, two-thirds of 
the natural size. Dispersed over the whole of the Arctic Circle, but its residence 
is probably not permanent in North America. It is migratory with us, and its 
abundance varies in different seasons. It feeds on Wild Ducks, Rabbits, Moles, 
