352 
SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
much larger and the tail shorter in proportion.” Resembles its congeners in habits, 
subsisting on almost any kind of animal matter thrown up by the tide, and 
frequents marshes and ploughed fields in search of Worms and Slugs. “ It 
usually breeds in the marshes near the coast, and lays three eggs, of a dull clay 
colour, thinly marked with irregular patches of pale purplish brown.” 
Semipalmated Sandpiper, Totanus semipalmatus ,—Chevalier semipalme, Fr. 
•—Two birds are well figured, of the natural size, one in Summer the other in 
Winter plumage. America is the true habitat of this bird, but a few specimens 
have been met with in the North of Europe. Seeks its food—shell-fish, Worms, 
and aquatic insects—on the muddy shores and flats at low water. In the Sum¬ 
mer plumage the upper parts are olive-brown, the under white; in the Winter 
attire the whole plumage is light-brown, barred with black. This bird is 
familiarly known in America as the Willet, and for an interesting account of its 
habits we refer our readers to Alexander Wilson. 
Snow Goose, Anser hyperboreus ,—Oie hyperboree, Fr .—Schnee Gans, G.— 
An adult is figured, one-third less than the natural size. The snowy plumage is 
delicately executed. Inhabits the Arctic Circle, but especially those portions 
belonging to America. In the Antarctic Circle its place is supplied by another 
species. From the North of Europe and Lapland it regularly migrates to the 
East of Europe, but the Polar regions form its true habitat. “ It retires to those 
remote parts early in Spring, to perform the duties of incubating and rearing its 
young.” “ The eggs are of a yellowish white, of a regular ovate form, and 
somewhat larger than those of the Eider Duck.” Feeds on insects and the roots 
of plants, which latter it grubs up from the marshes like Swine, and for which 
operation its strong serrated bill is of course admirably adapted. In Autumn 
it subsists on berries, especially those of Fmpelrum nigrum. The sexes are 
similar. The whole plumage is almost pure white, but the wing primaries are 
black, the bill is orange colour, the parts of the head immediately surrounding it 
being tinted with a lighter hue of the same colour, and appearing as if the colour 
of the bill had been artificially shaded off on all sides. The late Dr. Latham 
Informs us that this bird is common at Hudson’s Bay; that it visits the'Severn 
River in May, and after having proceeded further North to breed, returns to 
Severn Fort in the beginning of September, and remains to the middle of October, 
when they depart Southward with their young, in flocks innumerable. At this 
time many thousands are killed by the inhabitants, who pluck them, and, taking 
out the entrails, put their bodies in holes dug in the ground, covering them with 
earth, which, freezing above, keeps them perfectly sweet throughout the severe 
season. 
Creeping Locustell, Locustella eerthiola ,—Becfin trapu, Fr .—Two figures 
are executed in a manner every way worthy of the Birds of Europe. Inhabits 
