258 
SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
rare European species—a specimen of which, forwarded by a correspondent, now 
lies beside us—was first shot in Britain in 1804, and described by Montagu as 
the Freckled Heron ( Ardea lentiginosa) . A second specimen occurred near 
Plymouth in 1829 (See M. N. //., for June 1837). Inhabits America, where it 
is sparingly diffused over the marshy and well-watered parts of the country, and 
being nocturnal in habits, resting in the day among the long herbage. Its 
sight is, of course, acute during twilight, and its hearing, says Wilson, is at all 
times excellent. Breeds in swamps, laying four greyish-green eggs among the 
long Grass. The food appears to consist of fish, Frogs, &c. According to Dr. 
Richardson it is 44 common in the marshes and Willow-thickets of the interior of 
the fur countries up to the fifty-eighth parallel. Its loud booming, exactly 
resembling that of the Common Bittern of Europe, may be heard every Summer 
evening, and also frequently in the day.” 
Toupet Tit, Varus bicolor ,—Mesange bicolore, Fr.— An adult figures in the 
plate. Inhabits America, but as Mr. Gould has received a few specimens 44 un¬ 
doubtedly killed in Russia,” he has no hesitation in placing it in the European 
Fauna. Its habits and food, as detailed by Audubon, appear closely to resemble 
those of our Garden Tit, Varus hortensis (or major ). Its notes are 44 loud and 
mellow.” Like the Garden Tit, it is of a fierce and destructive nature, sometimes 
killing small birds, by repeated blows on the skull. Builds a warm nest in the 
hole of a tree, laying six or eight pure white eggs, spotted with red at the large 
end. The sexes are nearly similar. 
Rufous-backed Heron, Ardea russata ,—Heron roussatre, Fr. —The figure, 
natural size, represents an adult, but we know too little of this rare species to 
venture an opinion respecting the ornithological execution of the plate. The first 
specimen killed in England was in 1805, and is now in the British Museum. 
Extremely rare in Europe, but occurs mostly in the Southern and Eastern portions. 
Dispersed over nearly the whole of Asia and Africa, in some parts of which it 
abounds. Feeds on fish, Frogs, insects, &c. ' Habits unknown. The beautiful 
contrast of the white and rich orange colour gives the adult of this bird a strikingly 
handsome appearance. 
Red-chested Plover, Charadrius pyrrhothorax , Temm. — 44 Faithful represen¬ 
tations” of an adult and a young bird, living size, appear on the plate. All Mr. 
Gould appears to know of this species is that he has received a specimen from 
Temminck as a European bird, and that, having seen it in many collections from 
India, he believes it to be only an occasional visitant to the East of Europe. 
Slender-billed Curlew, Numenius tenuirostris , Savi. —The plate represents 
an adult of the natural size. The size of the bill, and the singularly-contrasted 
markings of the under parts, at once distinguish this bird from our British 
Curlews. Inhabits the South of Europe, and was discovered by Dr. Savi. Of 
