190 
SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
we shall not he expected to give a minute account of this familiar chorister. It 
abounds in almost every part of Europe, and in the adjacent portions of Asia 
and Africa. In Winter they become gregarious, and frequently effect partial 
migrations in severe seasons, even in England, betaking themselves to more 
sheltered spots. 
Common Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus ,—Coucou gris, Fr.— Cucule cenerino, It. — 
Cemeine Kukuk, G.—An adult, and a young bird in the first Autumn, are 
beautifully represented. Inhabits Europe, and a considerable portion of Asia and 
Africa. Its habits are fully detailed in almost every treatise on birds, whether 
scientific or popular. There is, therefore, nothing to detain us here. 
Brake Nightingale, Philomela luscinia ,—Rossignol, Fr. —Nachtigall, G. — 
The plate contains a good figure of an adult male. We shall here content our¬ 
selves with quoting the following paragraph from Mr. Gould’s letter-press:— 
“ So much attention has been lately paid by Mr. Blyth to the migration and 
localities frequented by this species, that we consider it only our duty to refer 
our readers to that gentleman’s paper on the subject published in the 15th and 
16th Nos. of The Analyst , which will require but little addition of our own to 
render the matter clear to every one.” Inhabits Europe, especially the South, 
migrating in Winter to the North of Africa. In England we have traced it 
several miles North of Doncaster, which place has hitherto been considered its 
Northern limit in this country. Charles Waterton, Esq., informs us that it 
is not uncommon near his seat, Walton Hall, four miles from Wakefield; and 
W. H. R. Read, Esq., meets with it in due season on Hooton-Pagnell Common. 
White Heron, Ardea alba ,—Heron aigrette, Fr. —Federbusch Reiher, G.— 
An adult male is figured rather more than half the living size. It is not one of 
Lear’s best, his powers having been cramped by the, in this case, insufficient 
size of the paper. Rare in England, more common in the East and South of 
Europe, and the adjacent parts of Asia and Africa, where, however, it is still 
local. Feeds on various reptiles and fishes, and resembles the Common Heron in 
habits. 44 Builds in trees, and lays from four to six eggs, of a bluish white.” In 
Spring the adult is adorned with a beautiful plume of feathers on the back, ex¬ 
tending beyond the tail. This ornament is absent in young birds. 
Common Creeper, Certhia familiaris ,—Grimpereau, Fr. —Picchio passerino, 
It. —Gemeine Baumlaufer, G.—An adult male is figured, but the bill is too thick 
and large, and the whole bird not over and above characteristic. Common in 
almost every part of the European Continent, but becomes more rare towards the 
North, as might be expected from its delicate form and texture of plumage, and 
its insectivorous diet. In this country it is a well-known and most interesting 
resident. 
Bewick’s Swan, Cygnus BewicMi ,—Cygne de-Bewick, Fr. —A male is re- 
