298 
SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
Europe, Egypt, and Barbary. To detail the habits and appearance of this well- 
known delicacy, would, we conceive, be a work of supererogation. 
Silky Reedling, Scdicaria sericea ,—Becfin soyeux, Fr. —An adult male is 
sweetly represented. Frequents low bushes “ bordering the ditches between the 
vineyards near the Brenta ; and has a loud and tolerably fine song.” No further 
particulars are known. This bird appears to us—as far as can be judged from 
the inspection of a figure—to be intermediate between the Reedlings ( Salicaria ) 
and the Locustells ( Locustella ). 
Common Pheasant, Phasianus Colchicus ,—Faisan vulgaire, Fr. —Fagiano 
commune, It. —Gemeine Fasan, G.—Splendid as is this plate—representing a 
male and female one-third less than the natural size—it will not be difficult to 
believe that it does not come up to Nature. Long as the Pheasant has been 
naturalised in Europe, it was originally imported from Colchis and from the 
borders of the river Phasis, in Asia-Minor, whence its name in various European 
languages. The Pheasant is too well-known and too generally admired to require 
any further description. 
Whimbrel Curlew, Numenius phceopus ,—Courlis courlieu, Fr. —Chiurlo 
minore, Fr. —Regen Brachvogel, G.—An adult is figured of the natural size. It 
is widely dispersed over the old world, being common in India and the North of 
Africa. In the temperate latitudes of Europe it is migratory, spending its 
Summer within the Arctic Circle, where it breeds in the extensive flats and 
morasses of those desolate regions. It is common on the flat parts of our shores 
in Winter, and especially at the mouths of large rivers, feeding on molluscs, &c. 
“ It is generally seen in small flocks, which on being approached take wing and 
fly off with great vigour and rapidity. Dr. Fleming states that it has been 
known to breed in Scotland, constructing its nest on the exposed Heath and moor 
lands. Its eggs, four in number, are of an olive-brown colour, blotched and 
spotted with darker reddish brown.” Mr. Gould has, however, never seen the 
eggs. The sexes are similar. This bird is smaller than N. arquaia , which in 
many respects it closely resembles. 
Desmarest’s Cormorant, Cormoranus Desmarestii , N. Wood, —Cormorant 
de-Desmarest, Fr .—Mr. Lear has figured an adult of the living dimensions. 
Inhabits the East of Europe, or rather the shores of the Black Sea and its tribu¬ 
tary streams. This bird closely resembles the Shag Cormorant, but has longer 
wings, and a much longer and more attenuated bill. Habits unknown. 
Black-bellied Dipper, Cinclus melanogaster ,—Cincle a-ventre-noir, Fr. — 
The figure, of a male, is exquisite. Mr. Gould agrees with Brehm in questioning 
the distinctness of this bird, but, supposing the plate to be faithful, we think there 
can be no doubt but it is a true species. It is rather less than the Common 
