SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
299 
Dipper of Britain, has a darker and more uniform colour, and the boundary of the 
white chest is more distinctly marked, especially near the belly. We trust this 
will eventually prove to be an addition to the interesting genus of Dippers. 
Sabine’s Xeme, Xema Sabini ,—Mouette de-Sabine, Fr. —An adult male is 
delicately figured, in Summer attire, and of the natural dimensions. The only 
two specimens which have been known to occur in Britain were shot in Ireland 
as noticed in the Magazine of Zoology and Botany , No. v. It was discovered 
by Capt. Edward Sabine, and is a pretty general Summer visitor to the Arctic 
seas, laying two eggs on the bare ground, and hatching at the close of July. 
The eggs are an inch and a half long, and olive-coloured, with blotches of a 
darker hue. Agrees with the Terns in its forked tail, its choice of a breeding 
place, and its bold habits. Young birds have the head mottled with grey 
and white, instead of being of a uniform blackish-grey, as in the adult Summe 
plumage. 
Willow Locustell, Locustella luscinoides ,—Becfin des saules, Fr. —One 
figure is supplied, it is confined to the South of Europe. According to Dr. 
Savi it arrives in Tuscany about the middle of April, frequenting Willows, 
Reeds, &c., in marshy places, and being easily approached. Mr. Gould observe 
that it runs on the ground. We should be glad to know if this is actually the 
case, contrary to the habits of our Brake Locustell, which hops. Feeds on 
insects and their larvae, but as it is only a recent addition to the European Fauna, 
little or nothing is known of its habits. 
Noddy Tern, Sterna stolida ,—Mouette brun, Fr. —Mr. Gould has figured an 
adult of the natural size. The general appearance of this bird, and especially 
its low head, appear amply to justify the name which it has received. The 
only known European specimen of this species was shot in Ireland in 1830. 
Inhabits America, laying three reddish eggs, marked with dull red and purple, on 
the shelves of rocks. It also builds in bushes or low trees, constructing a large 
nest of twigs and Grass, 64 while hovering over or near which the old birds utter 
a low querulous murmur.” Unlike the rest of the family it takes its prey 
skimming along the surface of the water, and the old birds seek their food 
—small fishes, &c.—at a greater distance from land than the other Terns are 
observed to do. 
Bifasciated Thalamet, Certhilauda bifasciata ,—Alouette bifasciee, Fr. — 
An adult male, natural size, of a bird apparently as little like either a Lark or 
a Creeper as can well be imagined, is figured. To the systematise however, the 
relationship to the sub-family Alaudince will be obvious on examination. Com¬ 
mon on the banks of the Nile and in Abyssinia, and is a rare straggler in the 
South of Europe. Habits unknown. The sexes do not differ. The long curved 
vol. iv.— no. xxx. 
R 
