550 
SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY, 
-instead of, as usual, twenty—with indices, list of subscribers, preface, &c. Of 
these latter we shall speak after supplying our customary analysis of the letter- 
press. First, then, we find the— 
Imperial Eagle, Aquila imperialism —Aigle imperial, Fr. —Konigs Adler, G. 
“ An a dult and a young bird are figured, one-third of the natural size. Abundant 
in, but confined to, the Eastern portions of the European Continent, building 
either in the mountain forests or on high rocks, laying two or three eggs of a dull 
white. The adults have the scapularies entirely white, a character which at once 
distinguishes this species from the Golden Eagle. 
Pallid Harrier, Circus palhdus , Sykes. —This species, recently introduced 
into the European fauna, is probably common in Spain and North Africa. One 
individual has been killed on the banks of the Rhine. The figure is of the 
natural dimensions. Until 1832 this bird was confounded with Circus eijaneus, 
from which, however, the male of the former species differs in several particulars, 
among which it may be mentioned that the bars of the under tail are seven 
instead of four. The female resembles the female of C. cyaneus , but the bars arO 
six instead of four. I frequents plains, and never perches on trees. 
Lesbian Bunting, Fmberiza Lesbia ,—Bruant mitilene, Fr. —The plate con¬ 
tains a pair of these pretty birds, figured in an admirable manner. Sparingly 
inhabits the Eastern parts of Southern Europe; occurs, but rarely, in Italy, 
Provence, Greece, Japan, &c. The spots on the breast are more numerous in the 
female than in the male, but the general similarity of the sexes accords with the 
uniform plumage observed in the rest of the genus. 
Yellow Warbler, Sylvia icierina ,—Becfin icterine, Fr. —An adult is figured 
in the plate. Occurs in Holland, the Roman States, France, &c., and may 
perhaps be more abundant and more widely distributed than is at present 
suspected. The length and forked shape of the tail, and the length of the tarsi, 
as compared with S. trochilus and S. rufa , induce the Continental naturalists to 
consider it a distinct species. It is only further known that it feeds on insects, 
but we have no doubt whatever that its habits closely resemble those of our 
British Sylvice. 
Velvet Scoter, Oiclemia fusca, —Grande Macreuse, Fr. —Rustfarbige Ente, 
G. —A male is finely represented, natural size. Common in the Northern 
regions of Europe, Asia, and America, as well as on the Northern coasts of 
Britain, passing the Summer within the Arctic Circle, and migrating Southwards 
in Winter. Feed on molluscs, which it obtains by diving. It breeds inland, 
making a nest of Grass, lined with down, in which it lays eight or ten white 
eggs. It is readily distinguished from its congeners b}' - the white mark across 
the wing, and the white patch behind the eye. The sexes differ considerably, the 
female closely resembling the Surf Scoter. 
