SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
257 
distinguished from its European congeners by its superior size. In habits and 
changes of plumage it resembles other Wagtails. 
Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea, —Heron pourpre, Fr. —Purper Reiher, G. — 
An adult male, two-thirds of the natural size, by Lear. This bird seems to form 
a link between the more typical Herons and the Bitterns. Frequents Reedy 
marshes, hiding itself in dense herbage. Incubates on the ground, laying three 
pale bluish-green eggs. Subsists on Frogs, Mice, fish, insects, and the like. The 
sexes are similar, but young birds want the pendent crest of adults. Inhabits the 
whole of Europe, Asia, and Africa. 
Pallas’s Dipper, Cincius Pallasii ,—Cincle de-Pallas, Fr. —This bird has only 
receitly been met with in Europe, a few specimens having occurred on the Eastern 
confines. An adult and a young bird are figured, with great truth and beauty. 
Habits not. ascertained. The adult is of a uniform chocolate colour, but the 
immature birds are grey with crescent-shaped markings. Mr. Gould believes 
the Japan Dipper to be identical with this species, which, however, yet remains 
to be determined. 
Fen Reedling,* Salicaria palustris ,—Becfin verderolle, Fr.-— Sumpf Sanger, 
G .—The plate represents an adult. Common in central Europe, and on the 
banks of the Po and Danube, &c. Mr. Gould observes that it so closely as¬ 
similates to 8. arundinacea (or hirundinacea , as, by an unaccountable over¬ 
sight, it stands in our authoPs letter-press) as to render it impossible to distinguish 
the two as species from an inspection of preserved specimens. We, however? 
believe that the superior size of the bill in the present species is an amply sufficient 
distinctive character. “ Its song,” says Temminck, “ is singularly varied.” 
Builds on the ground, in marshy places, among the roots of Willows, &c., the 
nest being spherical, and constructed with considerable art. Lays four or five 
Ash-coloured eggs, spotted with light blue. Feeds on insects and berries. 
Lead-coloured Falcon, Falco concolor, —Faucon concolore, Fr. —One figure, 
natural size. The head, in a difficult position, we were almost going to say, 
better than Nature. It certainly is true to Nature. Inhabits the North of Africa, 
and occurs in the Western portions of Abyssinia. Mr. Gould believes his figure 
represents an adult male. This bird is distinguished from the Hobby and other 
Falcons by its uniform Lead-colour. It is supposed to feed on birds and insects, 
and to resemble the Hobby Falcon in habits. This, however, is derived not from 
facts but from a priori reasoning. 
American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus ,—Butor de-l’Amerique, Fr. —An 
adult is beautifully represented, two-thirds of the natural dimensions. This very 
* Termed by some authors the Marsh Warbler. It would, therefor©, be our Marsh Reedling, 
were that name not already applied to S. arundinacea of Britain. 
