402 
SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
be settled by the zealous ornithological reformer of Derby, and the acute, but too 
bitterly “ sarcastic, Senex.” 
Red-footed Falcon, Falco rufipes (Ingrian Falcon, and Orange-legged Hobby, 
of Latham, — Falco vespertinus , of Gmelin), le Faucon a-pieds-rouges, Fr .,— 
( Variete singuliere du Hobereau ,—singular variety of Hobby, of Buffon),— 
Falco barletta-piombina , It .,—Rothfussiger Falk, G. —This fine species, previously 
known as principally inhabiting the Russian province of Ingria, where it is named 
Kobez, will acquire a peculiar interest in the eyes of the British ornithologist; 
since it is now formally recognized, from re-iterated instances of capture in our 
island, as a British bird. It is distinguished from all the other Falcons, and 
especially from the Hobby, to which it is most nearly allied, and of which Buffon 
considered it a mere variety, by the orange-red colour of its feet. Hence, its 
specific designation is most apposite and unobjectionable: and the lucky bird, 
unlike certain other aspirant and predatory animal bodies exhibiting orange 
members , may set reformers and reform, and even the menaces of the great Philo- 
Hellenic Hume himself, at utter defiance. The plate exhibits specimens of an 
adult male and female, exquisitely drawn and coloured. The corresponding figure 
in Werners second number, although excellent, must at once succumb to the 
superiority of talent evinced by Gould. Omnia cedant Auro. 
The Kingfisher, Alcedo ispida, —Martin-pccheur alcyon, Baboucard, Fr .— 
Gemeine Eisvogel, G.—It hath often strangely perplexed us to divine where and 
from whom this beautiful little creature acquired its specific designation. Time after 
time have we rumaged lexicons and other musty repositories of ancient lore in 
search of the unknown epithet: yet no such term as tempos in the Greek, or 
ispidus in the Latin, has been found to reward our patient scrutiny. Peradven- 
ture, that profound ornithologist and erudite scholar. Professor Rennie, should 
these humble pages be honoured with his glance, may commiserate, and deign to 
44 enlighten our ignorance” on this subject. As ispida is the only European 
species of the Alcedo genus, we shall not pause to trace its specific characters. A 
more apt and significant designation might be surely taken from the bright and 
strongly-marked colours of the bird. The generic characters may be seen in 
Temminck, Manuel d’ Ornithologies p. 418 ; Selby, Illustrations of British Orni¬ 
thology , Vol. I., p. 135; and Gould’s letter-press accompanying the plate. The 
genus Alcedo composes, with Merops , the seventh order, Alcyones , of Temminck ; 
and constitutes, alone, the fifth family, Halcyonidce , of the British Insessores , of 
Vigors and Selby. The colouring of the Kingsfisher by Mr. Gould, is as extra¬ 
ordinarily accurate, as soft and splendid. The figure, however, as regards the 
body of the bird, is unnaturally thick and clumsy; and by no means equal, 
in fidelity and spirit, to the more humble production of Bewick’s graver : nor is 
the attitude of the voracious little creature, silently watching over the stream for 
