ee ped ete Nap Sat At rea titeser ce + Sa 7 art dee my te a SASas ys asa eens rsp eh Seite ee Ei kA SP, SP neta en, 4 PE oars SPAN pol ry lal THE BIRDS OF EUROPE. BY JOHN GOULD, F.LS., &. Ms IN FIVE VOLUMES. VOL. V. NATATORES. LONDON: PRINTED BY RICHARD AND JOHN E. TAYLOR, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET. PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, 20 BROAD STREET, GOLDEN SQUARE. 1837. pues eee (ess Li Mas LIST OF PLATES. VOLUME V. Norr.—As the arrangement of the Plates during the course of publication was found to be impracticable, the Numbers here given will refer to the Plates when arranged, and the work may be quoted by them. NATATORES. Snow Goose j Anser hyperboreus, Pall. . 346 Grey Lag Wild Goose ferus, Steph. . . 347 Bean Goose ‘ — segetum, Steph. . 348 White-fronted Goose — albifrons, Steph. . 349 Bernicle Goose — leucopsis, Bechst. . 350 Red-breasted Goose — ruficollis, Pall. . 351 Brent Goose Brenta, Flem. : 5 BY Egyptian Goose Chenalopex Egyptiaca, Steph. . 353 Domestic Swan : Cygnus mansuetus, Gimel. . 354 Whistling Swan, or Hooper ferus Ray. . 355 Bewick’s Swan : Bewickii, Yarr. . 356 Common Shieldrake Tadorna vulpanser, lem. . 357 Ruddy Shieldrake - rutila, Steph. . 358 Widgeon Mareca Penelope, Selby. . 359 Shoveller Duck Rhynchaspis clypeata, Steph. . 360 Common Wild Duck Anas Boschas, Linn. . 861 Common Teal Querquedula Crecca, Steph. . 362 Bimaculated Teal glocitans, Vig. . 363 Gargany Teal . —— circia, Steph. . 364 Pintail Duck Dafila caudacuta, Leach. . . 365 Gadwall . ; Chauliodes strepera, Swains. . 366 Red-headed Pochard Fuligula ferina, Steph. : . 367 White-eyed, or Castaneous Duck leucophthalma, Steph. . 368 Red-crested Duck — rufina, Steph. . 369 Tufted Duck ——— cristata, Steph. . 370 Sceaup Pochard — marila, Steph. 3 Sai Western Duck ——- Dispar, Steph. . 372 Marbled Duck marmorata. _ . 373 Rider Duck Somateria mollissima, Leach. - 314 King Duck spectabilis, Leach. . 375 Surf Scoter Oidemia perspicillata, Flem. . 376 Velvet Scoter . fusca, Flem. 5 Bea Black Scoter . nigra, Flem. . 378 Golden Eye Clangula vulgaris, Leach. . 379 Barrow’s Duck ———— Barrovii, Sw. & Rich. . 380 Harlequin Duck histrionica, Leach. . 38] Long-tailed Duck Harelda glacialis, Leach. . . 382 White-headed Duck Undina leucocephala. . 383 Goosander ; ' Mergus Merganser, Linn. . 384 Red-breasted Merganser serrator, Linn. . 385 Hooded Merganser — eucullatus, Linn. . 386 Smew : ; == albellus, Linn. . 387 Great-crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus, Lath. . 388 Red-necked Grebe . rubricollis, Lath. . 389 Horned Grebe ———— cornutus, Lath. . 390 Eared Grebe . ———— auritus, Lath. . 391 Little Grebe, or Dabchick ——— minor, Lath. 392 Northern Diver Colymbus glacialis, Linn. . 393 Black-throated Diver arcticus, Linn. : . 394 Red-throated Diver septentrionalis, Linn. . 395 Foolish Guillemot Uria Troile, Linn. Bridled Guillemot lacrymans, Lapyl. 1397, Brunnich’s Guillemot — Brunnichii, Sab. . 898 Black Guillemot Grylle, Lath. . 399 Great Auk Alca impennis, Linn. . 400 Razor-billed Auk Torda, Linn. . 401 Little Auk Mergulus alle, Bon. . 402 Puffin 5 Mormon Fratercula, Temm. . 403 Northern Puffin —— glacialis, Leach. . 404 Pelican ; Pelecanus Onocrotalus, Linn. . 405 Dalmatian Pelican . crispus, Feld. . . 406 Common Cormorant Phalacrocorax Carbo, Steph. . 407 Black Cormorant Graculus, Briss. . 408 Little Cormorant pygmeus*, Steph. | . . 409 Shag, or Green Cormorant —— cristatus, Steph. & Flem. . 410 Desmarest’s Cormorant . Desmarestii. ee ANlah Solan Gannet . Sula Bassana, Briss. 5 EO Black-tailed Gannet melanura, Temm. 4h133 Caspian Tern . Sterna Caspia, Pail. . 414 Sandwich Tern cantiaca, Gmel. 5 Zbl Gull-billed Tern ——— Anglica, Mont. . 416 Common Tern ——— Hirundo, Linn. eel, Roseate Tern . Dougallii, Mont. . 418 Arctic Tern ——— Arctica, Temm. . 419 Little Tern minuta, Linn. . 420 Noddy Tern stolida, Linn. . 421 Black Tern : ; Viralva nigra, Leach. 2422 White-winged Tern : leucoptera, Leach. . 423 Moustache Tern leucopareia, Steph. - 424 Laughing Gull Xema ridibunda, Boje. = A225 Black-winged Gull . atricilla}. . 426 Black-headed Gull . —— melanocephala, Boje. : 427 Little Gull —— minuta, Boje. . 428 Sabine’s Gull . : , Sabinii, Leach. . 429 Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus, Linn. . 430 Lesser Black-backed Gull fuscus, Linn. . . 431 Glaucous Gull —— glaucus, Brunn. . 432 Iceland Gull — Islandicus, Edm. . 433 Herring Gull . argentatus, Brunn. . 434 Kittiwake Gull — Rissa, Linn. - 435 Ivory Gull — eburneus, Gmel. . 436 Common Gull — canus, Linn. . . 437 Audouin’s Gull Audouinii, Temm. . 438 Skua ‘ Lestris catarractes, Temm. . 439 Pomarine Gull Pomarinus, Temm. . 440 Richardson’s Lestris Richardsonii, Swains. . _ 44) Parasitic Gull Parasiticus, J7I. . 442 Manks Shearwater . Puffnus Anglorum, Ray. . . 443 Dusky Shearwater . obscurus. . . 444 Cinereous Shearwater cinereus, Steph. . 445 Fulmar Petrel : Procellaria glacialis, Linn. . 446 Fork-tailed Storm Petrel Thalassidroma Leachii : . 447 Common Storm Petrel — pelagica, Selby. . 448 Bulwer’s Petrel ? Bulwerii. . 449 LIST OF PLATES. . 396 * Named erroneously Carbo pygmeus. + Named erroneously on the Plate Larus atricilla. 1. e 19 ays ff ti Pe, ah 3 _ i” fia: eae a ‘gepuconpny 9 Aa pagar wpmon iz py ty nruaag Ho ay aceranayp uoL/ andar (YY) Shatoqrodsy Iosuy aASOOD MONS Ps vi ae Genus ANSER, Briss. Gren. Cuar. Bill as long as the head, straight, conical, thick, higher than broad at the base, depressed and flattened towards the tip; entirely covered with a cere, except the nails at the tip, which are horny, orbiculate and convex; lower mandible narrower than the upper ; the edges of both laminato-dentated. Nos¢rz/s lateral, placed near the base of the bill. Wings long, ample, tuberculated. Legs placed a little behind the equilibrium of the body, and clothed nearly to the tarsal joint. Fee¢ four-toed, three before and one behind; the former united by a membrane, the latter free. az/s falcate, their inner edges dilated. SNOW GOOSE. Anser hyperboreus, Pall. L’Oie hyperborée, ou de neige. Tus fine species of Goose inhabits all the regions of the Arctic circle, but more especially those portions appertaining to North America; it has also been said to inhabit the Antarctic circle, but this we find is not the case, its place being there supplied by another distinct species. From the northern portions of Russia and Lapland, where it is sparingly diffused, it regularly migrates to the eastern portions of Europe, and is occasionally found in Prussia and Austria, but never in Holland. The polar regions being its true and congenial 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. Dr. Latham informs us that the Snow Goose is very numerous at Hudson’s Bay; that it visits 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 into holes dug in the ground, covering them with earth, which, freezing above, keeps them perfectly sweet throughout the severe season ; during which the inhabitants occasionally open one of these storehouses, when they find them sweet and good.” Its food consists of insects, rushes, and the roots of reeds and other vegetables, which, says Wilson, it tears ‘up from the marshes like hogs,” and for which purpose its powerful serrated bill would seem to be expressly adapted: in autumn it feeds principally upon berries, especially those of the Empetrum mgrum. Like all the other vegetable feeders of the family, its flesh is very juicy, and forms an excellent article for the table. The sexes are alike in colouring and may be thus described : Forepart of the head as far as the eyes yellowish rust colour; the remainder of the plumage pure white, with the exception of the nine exterior quills, which have their bases and shafts white and the remainder black ; bare space round the eye, bill, and feet rich reddish orange; nails of the mandibles blue; irides greyish brown. | The young exhibit a very striking difference from the adults, and have the head and upper part of the neck white ; the remainder of the neck, breast, and upper part of the back purplish brown ; all the feathers finely tipped with pale brown; wing-coverts, lower part of the back, and rump pale ash; primaries and secondaries black ; tertials centred with black, and edged with light blue ; tail-coverts white ; tail blackish brown edged and tipped with white; belly and vent greyish; bill and feet light reddish purple. We have figured an adult about one third less than the natural size. - . } d * 7 ' . ee ie ; : “ As es : ve ; * . / ' * of \ r , : iz : ’ A * ~ ; ” 5 Poa al . ‘ -7 : . : wt) ‘ ; . . ‘ 1‘ 5 . . a - € gal i t= *K s . “a " en , r . o . , - Se » . . -* . ‘ i > s re ‘ . » , 4 * * re * 4 . *. * e ° + " * . ‘ : 2 * i i. a * . 2, _ Y ‘ . = = * i ! 4 i 2 + ' : 4 ; ' - ta = 4 2 io 4 A s i i ' = hee 1 - a i a 7 - 4 * 7 ’ oeuinll * be | ¥ ~ ’ f . ‘ i . a . 2 ES = “h 4 : . ’ Mi ‘ e L Ce el « J "sane a (Uy) sunsnyed Josuyy "TSOOD GTIM DVI AMMA GREY LAG WILD GOOSE. Anser ferus, Steph. LOie cendrée ou premiere. Notwirustanpine the variety of plumage which exists in our race of domesticated Geese, there is so striking a similitude in the form of the body, the shape and colouring of the bill, and other characters, as to leave no doubt in the minds of naturalists that they have descended from one common stock, of which the figure in our plate is a representative in its wild or natural state. ‘The value of this bird as an article of food, and the various uses made of its feathers, are so well known to all our readers that it will be quite unnecessary for us to describe the management and rearing of the numerous domestic varieties, a subject so well understood by every one, and for a full account of which we refer our readers to the works of Pennant, &c. Although we learn from the testimony of older authors that this bird was once a permanent resident in the British Islands, it is now scarce, in consequence of its not being able to find a secure retreat where it may rear its young, the progress of cultivation and the drainage of the land compelling it to retire to more distant coun- tries, where it may still breed unmolested. The Grey Lag is known to inhabit all the extensive marshy districts throughout the temperate portions of Europe generally ; its range northwards not extending further than the fifty-third degree of latitude, while southwards it extends to the northern portions of Africa, eastwardly to Persia, and, we believe, is generally dispersed over Asia Minor. The Grey Lag assembles in flocks, and like the Bean Goose seeks the most open and wild districts, often descending upon fields of newly sprung wheat, which, with the blades of fine grasses, trefoil, and grain, constitute its food. The nest is said to be placed among rushes, and is formed of a large quantity of various vegetable matters: the eggs, from six to twelve in number, of a sullied white. The sexes are nearly alike in plumage. Head and neck brown, tinged with grey; back, scapulars, and wing-coverts brown, tinged with ash grey, all the feathers being broadly margined with greyish white; lesser wing-coverts bluish grey; upper tail- coverts white; breast and belly greyish white, crossed with bars of a deeper tint; vent and under tail-coverts white ; bill reddish orange, the nail greyish white; legs and feet dull red. The Plate represents an adult male about two thirds of the natural size. Ei atuact art Ba a epucounguyy 7 ho pomany (YIC) TMIZIS OSU “ASOOD NVA 2090 M0927 STS BEAN GOOSE. Anser segetum, Steph. LOie vulgaire ou sauvage. In the temperate portions of Europe, and particularly on the British Islands, the Bean Goose is rather a winter visitor than a permanent resident : after passing the summer within the arctic circle, it migrates early in the autumn to more southern latitudes; hence in October and November considerable flocks arrive in the northern counties of England, and afterwards disperse themselves over the greater portion of our island. Like the other members of its family it is extremely shy and difficult of approach, cautiously avoiding danger by resorting to wild and open parts of the country. These birds feed principally by day, when they resort to stubble lands, and not unfrequently to grounds lately sown with peas, beans, and pulse, and they have been known to commit considerable havoc on young wheat. Extensive marshes and fenny districts also form a place of favourite resort, the large sheets of water which there abound affording them a safe retreat in cases of danger, and to which they frequently retire for the night. From the delicate quality of their food, the flesh of the Bean Goose is well flavoured, hence it is highly esteemed for the table, and numbers are annually sent to our markets, where they may be frequently observed exposed for sale, accompanied by their near ally the Grey Lag. On the approach of spring they commence their migrations northward; and notwithstanding the assertions made by some authors, that they remain and breed in our western and northern islands, we feel confident that the greater number make the high northern latitudes the place of general rendezvous. The power of flight of the Bean Goose is very great, and when at a considerable elevation, with a favour- able breeze, the rate at which it passes through the air has been estimated at from 60 to 80 miles an hour at least. From the great similarity which exists between the Bean Goose and the Grey Lag, the two species have been often confounded; on a close examination, however, we cannot but observe the great difference which exists in the form and colour of their bills, as well as other peculiarities, which will be found in comparing the descriptions of the two birds. In size the Grey Lag has the advantage of the present species, although in this respect the male of the latter often exceeds in weight the female of the former. The black colour and di- minutive bill of the Bean Goose, when opposed to the robust and flesh-coloured bill of the Grey Lag, forms perhaps the best and readiest mark of distinction between the two species. The sexes are so nearly alike in the colour of their plumage that one description will serve for both; nor does there appear to be any perceptible change in their plumage at opposite seasons. It is said to breed in low marshy situations, the female laying from eight to twelve white eggs. The whole of the bill is black, with the exception of a band of pinky yellow (sometimes inclining to red) which surrounds both mandibles near the point ; irides and orbits brown; top of the head and back of the neck brown, the latter having longitudinal furrows, giving this part the appearance of being marked with dark lines; the whole of the back, wings, flanks, and tail dark clove brown tinged with grey, each feather being tipped with white; breast and abdomen greyish brown; vent, under tail-coverts, and rump white ; legs and webs orange. The Plate represents an adult male about a third less than the natural size. Ne ee tet at ae ahr ; kf is a; epranunpngy Mypmets (YO) ‘stowage iwswy —ASOOD CW NO Wel- Al TALM. pynng Pop L ha ming uo y auspyy riod) useesiy vy ¢ ve 4% ‘ tt & a ‘ LA WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. Anser albifrons, Lznn. LOie rieuse, ou a front blanc. We have not been able to ascertain with any degree of certainty whether the jet black markings which ornament the breast of this species are only assumed during summer, or whether they are confined to certain examples. While describing this bird in his ‘‘ Manuel d’Ornithologie,” we find M. Temminck equally at a loss with ourselves, for in a note appended to his description he states, that ‘‘ after inspecting the plumage of this Goose, I suspect that the species moult twice in the year, and that in summer the belly and chest are of a deep black, while these parts in winter are pure white. I say only that case appears to me such, for it is by the naturalists in the North alone, who are able to observe this bird during the period of incubation, that this circumstance can be decided.” The great numbers of this species brought to the London market during the first fortnight of January 1835, afforded us ample opportunities of examining a great variety of specimens; which examinations have led us to doubt if the irregular markings on the breast are ever assumed by many of these birds until they have attained a considerable age, there having been numerous ma- ture individuals among those examined which had not the slightest trace of this peculiar feature, while in others it was slightly apparent ; yet the majority of both sexes possessed the character in question, displayed in the most conspicuous manner. Some few birds of the year were observed, many of which had already the black feathers appearing ina slight degree; from which circumstance it is clear that a still further knowledge of the habits, changes, and economy of this fine Goose is required to render its history complete ; and it is to be regretted that our island does not afford a retreat for so valuable a bird, in which it might breed and rear its young. It is just possible that the individuals examined by us at that early period of the year might not have commenced their spring moult; and if so, it-is singular that others should have acquired so much of the black, which, according to M. Temminck’s theory, is characteristic of the plumage of summer. The summer residence of the White-fronted Goose is the high northern latitudes of both worlds: in these countries it finds a place of security wherein to incubate. It commences its migrations southwards early in the autumn, at which period great numbers pass into Holland, Germany, and France. In the British Islands it is tolerably abundant, particularly in the midland and southern counties, giving a decided preference to low marshes and fenny districts. Its food consists of aquatic vegetables of various kinds, small snails, &c. Its weight generally varies from five to seven pounds, and as an article for the table it is not surpassed by any of its tribe, its flesh being finely flavoured and tender. Bill pale flesh-colour, nail pure white; forehead white; head, neck, and upper part of the chest greyish brown ; breast, belly, and abdomen black marked with irregular bars and blotches of white; back brown, each feather being margined with greyish white; wing-coverts grey edged with white; quills dark greyish black ; vent and upper tail-coverts white; middle tail-feathers grey, with white tips, the remainder becoming gradually lighter, to the outer ones, which are wholly white; legs and toes orange; claws whitish. The Plate represents an adult and a young bird of the year about three fourths of the natural size. yo ied (a Sk “2 r =” v aoa e hs ae : : be i & *. ~~ _ ~ ‘ Pa ~ % + * aa a é thy 5 : iH, He yy Bev ae (| Maa t y ig babe int inte , H ‘ peut lee B ; (ISY7G) ‘SISdOONIT Jasuy ; ‘coe aad “TSOOD WIOINWAA i a i aa ae BERNICLE GOOSE. Anser leucopsis, Bechst. LOie Bernache. Ir is only during the months of autumn and winter that the British Islands are visited by the Bernicle Goose, the extreme cold of the northern latitudes, where it sojourned during the summer season, having driven it southward into climates where its food is still accessible. The portion of our island in which it is most abundant is along the whole of the western coast from north to south. In Lancashire it appears especially abundant: the North and West of Ireland is also visited by it in large flocks. On the Continent Holland, Germany, and France offer an extent of coast and inland meres and marshes highly acceptable to the Bernicle, to which localities it resorts in great numbers. It is decidedly one of the handsomest and most elegant of the Geese that sojourn in the British dominions, and when domesticated forms a graceful ornament to our aviaries. When wild it is extremely shy and wary, so much so that it cannot be approached without the utmost circumspection. Its food consists of various aquatic and terrestrial vegetables, seeds, and grain. It breeds in the regions of the arctic circle, but we have no correct information as to the description of its eggs, or its peculiar habits of nidification, in which, however, we conceive it agrees with the rest of its - congeners. The sexes offer so little difference in the colouring of their plumage that one description will serve for both. The adult has the forehead, cheeks, and throat yellowish white; a narrow black mark passes from the bill to the eye; the top of the head, neck, and chest black; the upper surface fine blueish grey, the tip of each feather edged with brownish black and a margin of greyish white beyond; primaries greyish black ; upper tail-coverts white; tail black; the whole of the under surface silvery white; flanks strongly marked with grey in waved bars; feet and bill black ; irides dark brown. The young are easily distinguished from the adults, by the light colouring of the face being more clouded with black, and by the general plumage being less pure and decided. The Plate represents an adult about three fourths of the natural size. peprcouinyayy 2 ha pon]: (P27) Soyns rsuy aT Tore “ASOOD AAILSV awa - daw RED-BREASTED GOOSE. Anser ruficollis, Padll. LOie a Cou roux. Ws regret that we are unable to give any detailed account of this beautiful Goose. Only four or five instances are on record of its having been captured in the British Islands; and its occurrence on the European conti- nent appears to be equally rare, except in the most north-eastern portions, where it is rather more plentiful. The countries to which it habitually resorts are doubtless the extreme northern parts of Asia and Siberia, its migrations in summer extending to the shores of the Frozen Ocean, where it breeds and rears its young. Ex- traordinarily severe seasons or other unusual circumstances, driving it out of its usual course, are in all pro- bability the causes of its appearing occasionally in this country, and in other temperate portions of the globe. The first example captured in England was taken near London in 1776, passed into the hands of Mr. Tunstall, and is now in the Museum at Newcastle-upon-Tyne ; another was captured alive near Wycliffe, and was kept in confinement for some years by the gentleman above mentioned ; a third was killed near Berwick-upon Tweed, and formed a part of Mr. Bullock’s celebrated collection; and others, Mr. Stephens informs us, were killed in the severe winter of 1813 in Cambridgeshire. In its habits, disposition, and food it doubtless offers a strict resemblance to the other members of its genus : that it feeds on vegetables is pretty certain, from the circumstance of its flesh being free from any fishy taste and in great esteem for the table. Weare not aware whether the sexes exhibit any difference in their colouring, but judging from analogy we should conceive that they do not vary much, if any. Forehead, top of the head, stripe down the back of the neck, chin, throat, and a band scence upwards to the eye, black ; on each side of the head a patch of reddish brown surrounded by a stripe of white, which is extended down the sides of the neck, and separates the black stripe down the back of the neck from the reddish brown of the lower part of the neck and breast, which latter colour is margined with black, to which succeeds a stripe of white ; upper surface, fore part of the belly, wings, and tail black ; hinder part of the belly, vent, thighs, upper and under tail-coverts white; greater wing-coverts margined with white ; bill and legs blackish brown. We have figured a male somewhat less than the natural size. j ist eZ rr sett Par) BRENT GOOSE. Anser Brenta, Flem. LOlie cravant. Tuts well-known species is the least of the European Wild Geese, and is one of our winter visitants, at which period it resorts in great numbers to the inlets of the sea and the bays around our coast. Being driven from the icy regions of the polar circle by the approach of inclement weather, it not only visits the shores of the British Islands, but appears to radiate in every direction, spreading itself over almost all the maritime por- tions of Europe, Asia, and America. ‘‘ Upon the Northumbriam coast,” says Mr. Selby, ‘a very large body of these birds annually resorts to the extensive muddy and sandy flats that lie between the mainland and Holy Island, and which are covered by every flow of the tide. In this locality tolerably sized flocks usually make their appearance in the early part of October, which are increased by the repeated arrival of others till the beginning of November, at which time the equatorial movement of the species in this latitude seems to be completed. This part of the coast appears to have been a favourite resort of these birds from time im- memorial, where they have always received the name of Ware Geese, given to them, without doubt, in conse- quence of their food consisting entirely of marine vegetables. This I have frequently verified by dissection ; finding the gizzard filled with the leaves and stems of a species of grass that grows abundantly in the shallow pools left by the tide, and with the remains of the fronds of different Alg@, particularly of one which seems to be the Laver (Ulva latissina). These were mixed with a considerable quantity of sharp sand, but without any portion of animal or shelly matter, although Wilson states that they feed occasionally upon small univalve and bivalve mollusca. In this haunt they remain till the end of February, when they migrate in successive flocks, as the individuals happen to be influenced by the season, and before April the whole have disappeared. When feeding (which they do at ebb tide) or moving from one place to another, they keep up a continual hoarse cackling, or, as it is termed, honkeng noise, which can be heard at a great distance.” The Brent Goose is always extremely shy and watchful, and can only be approached by the sportsman concealing his person. This wariness has induced those who procure these birds for the market to resort to various contrivances to effect their object, for an account of which we beg to refer our readers to Colonel Hawker’s ‘Instructions to young Sportsmen,’ an amusing treatise, where a full description is given of this kind of sporting. They breed and rear their young in the security of high northern latitudes; the nest being formed of various vegetable materials, and the eggs, which are white, being ten or twelve in number. The male has the head, neck, and upper part of the breast black ; on each side of the neck a patch of white ; back, scapulars, and wing-coverts brown, each feather being margined with paler brown ; under sur- face dark grey, each feather margined with paler grey; vent and upper and under tail-coverts white ; lower part of the back, the rump, quills, and tail black ; bill black ; irides brown ; legs and feet brownish black. The female resembles the male in colour, but is not quite so large. Our Plate represents an adult male rather less than the natural size. a ¢, Hie mei! J ii ith i ee Se ee PF Ne re ey ee TaOPT (Ydae) erendsyy xadoyeusy) “HSOOD NVILdADT Sosy eas Genus CHENALOPEX, Antigq. _ Gen. Cuar. Beak as long as the head, slender, straight, its tip rounded, the margin lami- » nated ; the upper mandible curved, its tip hooked; the lower mandible flat. Nostrils _ placed at the basal portion of the beak. Wings armed with spurs. Legs placed in the equilibrium of the body, four-toed ; the anterior toes entirely webbed, the hinder one simple ; tarsi somewhat elongated. EGYPTIAN GOOSE. Chenalopex Egyptiaca, Steph. LOie dEgypie. On comparing the present species with the other members of its family, it will be found to differ in form from every one of them, on which account it has been formed by Mr. Stephens into a distinct genus, to which he has been induced to give the above generic title, in consequence of this bird being in the opinion of M. Geof- froy St. Hilaire the Chenalopex or Vulpanser of the ancients. In figuring this fine species of Goose as a member of the European Fauna, we are not instigated by the occurrence of numerous half-reclaimed individuals which are yearly shot in our island, but from the circum- stance of its occasionally visiting the southern parts of the Continent from its native country Africa. M.Tem- minck particularly mentions the island of Sicily as one of the places frequented by it. This is the species which would appear to have been held in great veneration by the ancient Egyptians, as we frequently find a figure of it among the stupendous works of that celebrated people. It is abundant on the banks of the Nile, and is distributed over the whole of the vast continent of Africa. It readily breeds in confinement, and forms a beautiful and interesting addition to the menagerie. The sexes are alike in plumage, but the female is somewhat smaller in size, and has the whole of the markings less decided than in the male. Feathers immediately behind the base of the bill, a narrow line running from the upper angle of the gape to the eye, and a large patch surrounding the eye, rich chestnut; sides of the face, crown of the head, and the fore part of the neck buffy white, gradually passing on the back of the neck into rufous brown; this reddish tinge also predominates on the lower part of the neck, and forms a faint collar; upper part of the back light chestnut brown, transversely rayed with very minute and irregular lines of blackish brown ; centre of the back and upper part of the scapularies dark reddish brown, minutely rayed with irregular transverse lines of blackish brown and grey ; lower part of the scapularies and tertiaries rich reddish chestnut ; lesser wing-coverts pure white with the exception of the posterior row of feathers, which are crossed with a strongly defined mark of black near their extremities, forming a narrow band across the wing ; primaries, lower part of the back, rump, and tail black ; secondaries rich glossy green, with purple reflections ; on the centre of the breast a large irregular patch of deep rich chestnut ; all the remainder of the under surface from the collar to the thighs pale buff, transversely rayed with very minute and irregular lines of blackish brown; vent and under tail-coverts rich buff; upper mandible margined all round with brown, the centre being reddish flesh colour; legs and feet reddish flesh colour ; irides orange. We have figured an adult male about one third less than the natural size. TOMA “a Wo “arta | ¥ : a Eid . é od A ‘ ® 4 . Pa As r we ai Pos * vy - ‘ i ; MAS re Sh brag hp Sif an wera _ at Piso. cidbbaae \ Vea & aut ; 4 i 4a | ‘ . ' ; 4 ae f SEE CE a ete: th TY ‘reStig etait é ¥ } i H fi ey : eu ea Ep | S58) SOG Ea c faaad li he il . ; , ‘ . ” 4 ob i - ? ‘vege : F } : : ir? ta | \4 CV Re CEPR ae ie ELE S EPS EA ES yeh ft coal relents | ; 4 be \ é ] * 7 na} "4 Gehar vir ‘ Sees 1i0)4. a‘ . . : a esi 4 * \ a t . ’ r V . y - ni - P by mT, : g | Ps “a \ i ' . Wy * saa : 4 vg * y ; ; " * utiles | - he a TE te 7 * r bg , AG ; ? . aie it re ‘ . aly M + F hog ; i" | ; 4 ‘ { cca iy P ‘ j s : i: we - A, i oi aa one Vane tee shes mes Fienet: COC Tepe ee anit! § } ! vu ’ j ’ . ; A 2 +f ie F iit Faiip ath 3c FO WE vee SE eal i at ” vegan a eee Pe An Th .y or x Het ii” ine i Fanitaiy : - y > aan ( * i 5 “ hay Fret ; $ 1h ris i acd ah try, ; i 5 eo all , i. 7 j (Ae tae wet bates tel re jared 38 ft: ehh i ae rae At gy as, : | . ‘1 dad tele dow ting alin en ide ite pial ’ ; bP a: “Meek fd ror wi: itis nants ap : . * ro “4 1 sah c ii Nth, ih SAG Aes } ; aah t ;'? ‘gale di MS | "nk i = 7 ; ids i ve iy : mf sd fend ibe. ma (anirnih rtsel som ~ w y : Wi Eigen te ee ‘on -) - Vie A a ‘ eS i ~ AS ya Se ea ' gapuarueyrerg ly pany fa eS ee ae p (geuy) stoustent snugA%) "NVMS OLLSANWOod sSlesatenigiy a teas Genus CYGNUS. Gey. Cuar. Beak equally wide throughout its length, much higher than broad at the base, where it is swollen or tuberculated ; depressed towards the tip ; nail of the upper mandible deflected, and covering that of the lower, which is flat. Both mandibles laminato-dentate, with the lamelle placed transversely, and nearly hidden from view when the beak is closed. Nostréls oblong, lateral, placed near the middle of the beak. Wings large and long. Legs short; feet four-toed, three before, one behind; the front toes entirely webbed, the hind toe small and free. DOMESTIC SWAN. Cygnus mansuetus, Gmel. Le Cygne. Tue Domestic Swan, the stately ornament of our lakes and rivers, is too well known to render much descrip- tion necessary. ‘The ease and grace with which this bird ploughs its course along the rippled surface of the water, has raised it to that high rank in general estimation to which its extreme beauty and peaceful habits so fully entitle it. The Swan is one of the largest of our indigenous birds, frequently weighing from twenty to twenty-five pounds. ‘The bill is orange colour, the base and cere reaching to the eye, black, and surmounted with a fleshy knob of the same black colour; the legs and feet are also black ; all the other parts in the adult bird are of a pure and spotless white. The first plumage of the Cygnet, or young Swan, is of a dull brownish ash colour, afterwards varied with white ; but the young birds do not attain their pure and perfect white appearance till their second year, and are incapable of breeding before the third year. The parent birds drive away from them the brood of the previous year as soon as the revolving seasons again produce the period of incubation. At this time the male assumes an appearance of boldness and contempt of danger which plainly indicate the change in his habits which the season has produced. The male may be distinguished from the female by his thicker neck and his wider and shorter body ; and the female appears to swim deeper in the water. The female lays six or seven long oval-shaped eggs, of a greenish grey colour, and sits about forty-five days. During this extended period, the male keeps watch at a short distance from her nest; and when the young brood are produced, and take to the water, he is incessant in his care and guardianship, and boldly advances to repel the intruder upon every appearance of danger. Formerly young birds of the year were in great request as an article of food, and were frequently served up as a choice dish on great occasions ; even now young Swans, intended for the table, are occasionally to be seen, in their grey plumage, at the shops of our London poulterers. Although a few Swans may be observed on most of the lakes which ornament the parks and grounds of the nobility and others, they are nowhere very numerous, if we except the swannery of the Earl of Ilchester, at Abbotsbury in Dorsetshire, where a large stock has been maintained for many years. ‘The various parts of aquatic plants are the natural food of these birds, in search of which they examine all the shallow parts of the water they inhabit, and are able to keep their head below the surface for a considerable length of time, but are never seen to dive. In confinement they feed readily on grain, for the comminution of which their large and powerful gizzard seems well adapted. The voice of the tame Swan is feeble, plaintive, and not unmusical; but this bird does not possess internally that convoluted structure of trachea which has made the examination of the various wild species an object of so much interest, and which we shall have occasion to notice more particularly when describing the Hooper and Bewick’s Swan. Our Domestic Swan is said to exist in a wild state in Russia and Siberia ; but we must not omit to mention, that a species called the Polish Swan has lately been introduced to this country, which, compared with the subject of our present Plate, exhibits a slight difference in the distribution of the colours on the beak, and in the situation of the nostrils: the legs and feet are of a greyish ash colour, and the young birds are said to be white from the egg, never afterwards assuming any of that ash colour which distinguishes till their second year the Cygnets of other white Swans. gi a Se aa ty anes UP oo vy ROY] tc ! € a ncaames: WHISTLING SWAN, OR HOOPER. Cygnus ferus, Ray. La Cygne a bec jaune ou sauvage. Ws refer to the present species of wild swan by the name of Whistling Swan, or Hooper, in order to distin- guish it from two other species of wild’swans which have recently been added to this genus, one of which, an occasional visitor to England, Ireland, and other parts of Europe, we have figured in this work. The term Hooper has the advantage of referring to a peculiar character of the voice in the present bird, which is as yet considered to be specific: its usual call-note resembles the sound of the word hoop, loudly and harshly uttered several times in succession. The Hooper has usually been considered an inhabitant of North America, but anatomical examination of the two species of wild swans most numerous there proves that they are both distinct from the Hooper ; and it will probably be found that this last-named species is exclusively confined to the northern parts of Europe and Asia. The Hooper is only a winter visitor in England or in the southern countries of the European continent, and the number seen there during that season of the year generally bears some proportion to the degree of severity in the weather. During long-continued frosts large flocks are not uncommon, and our markets afford numerous examples; but in mild winters few are obtained or even seen. The summer residence of the Hooper is within the Arctic circle, in Iceland, Scandinavia, and the most northern countries of Europe. Formerly a few pairs were known to rear their young among the islands of Shetland and Orkney, and even in Sutherlandshire. In a half-domesticated state, with pinioned wings, the Hooper breeds about the lakes and islands in the parks of some English noblemen, but it does not, in such situations, associate much with the Domestic Swan, which is the more usual monarch of ornamental waters. The food of the Hooper are aquatic plants and insects, feeding in shallow water: it makes a large nest on the ground, collecting leaves, rushes, or flags, and lays six or seven whitish eggs, which are tinged with a yellowish green; the length of the egg four inches, the breadth two inches and three quarters. The parent bird sits six weeks: the young are at first of a uniform dark grey, acquiring a white plumage by slow degrees about the time of completing their second autumn moult, previous to which the dark anterior part of the beak is not decidedly black ; the base of the beak and the cere are more of a fleshy tint than yellow, and the legs are also lighter in colour than those of the old birds. The adult female only differs from the male in being smaller, and the neck is more slender. In the adult male the plumage is perfectly white, if we except an occasional tinge of buff-colour on the top of the head; the beak black, the base and cere yellowish orange, this colour extending forwards along the edges of the upper mandible as far as the line of the most anterior part of the nostrils, and posteriorly surrounding the eyes; irides brown; the legs and feet black ; the whole length of the bird about five feet; the breadth with extended wings nearly eight feet. The papers of Dr. Latham and Mr. Yarrell in the Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, on the organs of voice in birds, contain descriptions and figures of internal peculiarities by which the species of Swans most likely to be confounded may be readily distinguished. The Plate represents an adult about one third of the natural size. 14! ein aes ts i . , as , ) ~ if J P “_- ty as a "hws : s pridiere) (ae ue poee | ee ce a eT ee les; A Prnae 3h, iat od of GIMP UAiiee aed ih obit Hlaiyish ye DAF 3 sivieah eel arsine tht: Had Poe _. , a 5 ; eo ca s) 2 ote P ? sh j a aye are abs ed: AS ; } oe f See yl ets as ee Le a4 adams) wkdlies J ode dealing: natal aie ad aici dF Laugreliine. oe agli ie TG . . = re ~ ; iy 2 bas may 7 ; , * v cay ’ ary i ; s ta wry Phare : prreouypyy 9 ho pops YOYWOD TfL ho QUAY? UO yyy) veyeydoso.oone, BUurptiy, “STD OLE Chat CLV er al JJM. PAAR YY” nua { Unt Myf a Genus UNDINA, Mihi. Grn. Cuar. Beak elevated and protuberant at its base, with a furrow on the upper ridge ; anterior half very much depressed and broad. Nos¢rdds situated at the junction of the elevated and depressed portion. Wings very short, pointed, and concave; the first quill- feather the longest, the scapularies reaching to the end of the wing. Taz cuneiform, and composed of twenty narrow stiff feathers, unprotected at the base by coverts both above and below. Legs placed far behind. ‘Tarsz flattened, and much shorter than the toes. Toes long, and fully webbed, the outer one the longest; hind toe situated high on the tarsus and lobated. General plumage dense, glossy, and adpressed. WHITE-HEADED DUCK. Undina leucocephala, Mzhi. Anas leucocephala, Linn. Le Canard couronné. Ow attentively inspecting the genera comprising the European Ducks, as instituted by modern naturalists, it is evident that the present species is not referrible to any one of them at present recognised. The contour of its form, the character of its plumage, and especially that of its graduated tail, composed of stiff elastic feathers, together with the large feet and the elevated position of the posterior lobated toe, indicate it to be exclusively aquatic in its habits; so near, in fact, does it approach the genus Hydrobates of M. Temminck, containing the Lobated Duck of New Holland, that we have no hesitation in asserting it to form the type of a closely allied genus. The White-headed Duck is almost entirely restricted to the eastern countries of Europe, being very abundant in Russia, Poland, Hungary, and Austria; hence in Germany, France, and Holland it may be considered unknown. In its native countries it chiefly inhabits large sheets of saline waters and arms of the sea; and we are informed by M. Temminck, that so exclusively aquatic are the habits of this bird that its nest is even so constructed as to float upon the water, being composed of reeds and other water-plants. Although we have no account of its powers of diving, or mode of progression in its native element, we cannot for a moment doubt that it possesses every facility for making active and vigorous exertions in its con- genial element. Its stiff elastic tail and waterproof plumage tend to support an opinion that, like the Cormo- rant and Darters, it swims almost entirely submersed beneath the surface, while its short concave wings and broadly webbed feet also assure us that in the power of diving it is second to none. Its food is said to consist of molluscous animals and fishes. The female differs from the male more in the obscurity of her markings and in the general dullness of her colouring than in any decided contrast, a circumstance in which we may again trace a resemblance to the New Holland Duck already alluded to. Beak fine bluish lead colour; crown of the head black; forehead, cheeks, throat, and occiput pure white ; chest, flanks, scapularies, and the whole of the upper part, of a fine reddish brown, transversely intersected with irregular zigzag lines of blackish brown; quills and tail black; under surface dull russet brown; tarsi and feet brownish ; irides fine yellow. | The Plate represents an adult male of the natural size, vi 14 ee ; it 7a Biv me ANS aah uh ¥ ‘ut Pl eater Siria nye : . hia: ae tov Be ¥ oy ae aytel ' 7 yor P alle Wi Bea sift ob Qubkieae sgt Rate eo alive hot if rat | ‘ 1 ogee ut batt alia, Ht tne mL a al vii sis bute) & devil a Bodie 4 deg Me b paad ssrtvaelli a” ph fine fiw rte Tar ws, 8 ba xf vat Te Parra fivit atiit fash a ia n i (a ‘afer ty Peon ,! ; 7 fis fine heatle een ‘bane ot Wyatt Anti ‘wal 7 a eg I p a ae Hinds Py une ee ; ant TA ere E : } | ; “dl s ' ~ = ’ . ft é i 6 : ’ p n . rh rity v3 | Le yoerts F ‘ ié SeLILe j PARTLY DT 22 ABE “ull elitr : : i ‘ ; 7 om : - ‘ o rT | 4 ; eS i 4 a 3 hea a | “7 ‘ . a ‘ + , j * i , ‘5 * . : “+ ih , 4 iit aa | } i $ ' jas Ae : - ‘ ia 1 - re : ins ‘ i . ry i : . | 4 7 titi , ‘ . ' ! ‘ te an ' Ly ie ; ft ' yivti; . ’ 11 sy! nt i ap 28 ' Y MARE 6). 28 ae i i hil Vik Ate Tete Ea oh f ® sat ia © =m wiry eae A y wei 5) nud Tre 1h)> fe ve 4 ad ‘ wLiy iy si} ay ; Te y ontealy, OF: fitl's UNE UE “hit ae Oia . ¥ — : ‘ = ‘ ; Pie net ee = hi ith “aly Vepehhid 4 td : ov jfen Aha re ay Dad ed if ain ite sith wt! ene a leltiees ‘ : ; » : re. 2 fi ‘ a ee 9 li Sorat, wot} in ayes ih iets | 7.87 eres, See: awe i ee al a a a r 4 : _ J .. rh Hag 2205) TH,\ tS yieig OD NU pa eine edt «tte AU pa et ¥ iy i. : ; =i ' AN tt i ik. wifi gis i MA at ide Dis WA) i ~ ivi ol ve SL . les ny nah al EL ‘a4 ie 4 cai ch a abn SAR Wenge % vAu ; a : - 36 7 ‘ Wea 8 n 4 re aa ee 4} age! meth ie 4 ane fue apiat] oil a a | a lilt iid ita B's bi d inf leh mh gntivg ik eee “ul ti ft >. ae ‘ii ib at & We Plage aid la ete “ath! Navel coal ete areas: biel DW ob oaytnn a ve ites pe rt en) ind Wine! Brit iy ao gnete ae ee a fary Aaa: Act Py Mm ae of ; : oh on tcaapaythet i 1 pike wrt ed me aw | ; a 1 i (M07) IISULBBY, SUSY rl * UW A CNV S O O-D Genus MERGUS, Linn. Grn. Cuar. Beak lengthened, nearly cylindrical, largest at the base, curved at the tip, nailed ; both mandzbles armed at the edges with sharp angular teeth directed backwards. Nostrils one third from the base, oval, longitudinal, lateral, near the centre of the man- dible. Feet webbed ; outer toe longest ; hand toe lobed and free ; tarsi compressed. Wings moderate ; second guzll-feathers the longest. GOOSANDER. Mergus Merganser, Lnn. Le Grand Harle. Pre-EMINENTLY distinguished by the breadth and boldness of its colouring, and the delicacy of some of its tints, the Goosander, both from its beauty and its superiority of size, is éntitled to rank as the finest of its genus ; admirably adapted for diving, it possesses great power and agility in the water ; its flight also, when once fairly on the wing, is strong and rapid. Its native locality appears to be the northern regions of the continents of Europe and America, where, among large and unfrequented lakes, it fds an asylum and breeding place: from these, its summer haunts, it migrates southwards on the approach of the severities of winter, seldom appearing in our latitudes unless the season indicates an extremely low temperature in the Arctic circle; at such times it frequents our shores and unfrozen lakes, either in pairs or in small flocks of seven or eight : but the extensive inland waters of Holland and Germany appear to be its favourite place of resort. The form of the body is long and compressed ; the total length twenty-six inches ; the weight four pounds. Beak red on the sides, darker above, edges serrated ; armed at the end with an abruptly hooked nail. Head ornamented with slender elongated hair-like feathers, forming a voluminous crest of a rich glossy black with green reflections, which colour is continued half-way down the neck, where it terminates abruptly. The back and scapulars of a fine black ; wing-coverts and secondaries white. Quills blackish-brown ; rump and tail grey, the sides irregularly marked with fine waved freckled darker lines ; tail-feathers eighteen. The whole of the under surface of the body of a delicate yellowish cream-colour. Legs placed very far back. Tarsus and toes of a rich orange-red ; interdigital membrane rather darker. The trachea presents two enlargements of the tube before it enters the labyrinth or inferior larynx, which consists of two irregular cavities divided from each other by a membranous partition. The female is considerably less than the male, and differs from him not only in plumage but also in the anatomical structure of the trachea, which wants the enlargement both of the tube and the bony labyrinth. The beak, irides and feet are less brilliant in colour. Head, neck and crest rufous brown ; chin white; the uppersurface of the body uniform dark ash grey; the under part lighter with a tinge of cream-colour. These differences in the female, connected with the similarity of plumage characterizing the young males of the year, (which are only to be distinguished by the masculine structure of the trachea, and rather larger size,) have induced early writers to consider them as a distinct species, to which they have applied the name of Dundiver ; an error corrected by more recent observation. Its food consists of fish, small crustacea, and molluscous animals. Its flesh is rank and unpalatable. The female is said to lay twelve whitish eggs, but the nidification of this bird is little known. Our Plate represents a male and female in full plumage, two thirds of the natural size. ; BATA 2 vehi Level rE Hadehien 10 ib: nt ve ot iva. ait i tt ote. ified veka. stneenagscikd old aint - f F fi syat } pialiae: uid “sot Lad abu fd dissin Karas § ) b visiat somo. iy fs ks. Teg orn y aden He tO g Sriten ae ; Sida oso soit : saute omihoal fier wuehyag as ebiil: ii 2 ted oyueal “poucnenns HAHA wo al sakesras sioblia ciatiine to eoninoiae ods YG denen add. 10 renee yc } eotangine rate fae te. nomik dove 3 (ods ai odiornpaed; wol ylone«s ae bolpatiiet meus lite Dagaiir oviagiqdxe oth duc 9 4 Lo alyoR indian af ae athe ‘ite ith todtia date seeotinss hrs thee To doalq oir owt aif ad GX ie: ape year) bits hitilintt abytigndey sash ds ghia, aval! od); boesonquions ins gyrol di yi if afi Yo wast 447 lise odo yiustudir ane bier bas’ odd iG bxacin : hadwvyae 20800 eit Honky vuaol dirraiio tsois widalawlos s gtatot srotinct on if Bei. Thies woke YP tod slion of ieroh vaw-Mad bouniiadaat i te 7owhind i vata ¥ iit) git (vy a rh Hirei93 fern theo prk ) if [ a io) dy i Fite its! = sil RIE haf Say B wi 9ah il ii re Hae yi talires cis i yie ott Te Tits en Vad ast wey, baaaiy ead naltdenioa> darnolisy simatoh s ‘to hod odt Te o4ePite aobin asf ao Aiade (alters samidrasia Ldiyibvestad ; hee geass fe 8 to 290% wig tel gir sth eirilat-oae edad ti. 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IOYEIIOS SUZ * UL S NOW" SL aL TAL CW LSVAWsE Cae Soka ndly Woe " apes ene = ee RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. Mergus serrator. Le Harle huppé. Tur Red-breasted Merganser appears to be the only species of this genus which occasionally breeds with us, remaining the whole year in the Orkneys and about some of the inland lakes of North Britain, building its nest, which consists of dried bents, grass, &c., on any elevated situation, as a rocky bank near the water’s edge ; and laying from eight to twelve cream-coloured eggs. The British Islands appear to be the most southern limits of its summer abode ; but it is found in plenty on both continents within the arctic circle,—regions more congenial to its habits and more abundantly sup- plying its wants. Its powers of swimming and diving equal if not exceed those of the other species of this genus ; its food is in all respects the same, and its flesh is equally rank and disagreeable. The Red-breasted Merganser is one third less than the Goosander, which it resembles in its habits and manners, but differs from it extremely in colour. The beak is very long and slender, the sides red, separated by an upper line of black; the head furnished with a crest of long, slender, recurved feathers, the whole of which, with a third of the neck, is of a dark glossy green ; below this a broad white band encircles the neck, gradually losing itself in the colour of the breast, which is of a chestnut-red, longitudinally blotched with dashes of black. The back and tertials are of a deep glossy black. On each side of the chest, overhanging the shoulders, is situated a singular tuft of broad and peculiarly formed feathers, the centre of each of which is occupied by a large white triangular spot, surrounded with a border of black; the whole presenting a beautiful chequered appearance. The centre of the wing is white partly crossed with two slender bars of black. The quills are blackish brown. The sides and rump light grey elegantly marked with zigzag lines of black. Tail dark grey. The under surface of the body of a dirty white. The irides, legs, and feet, of an orange-red ; the webs darker. During the period of incubation, however, the male undergoes a considerable change in plumage, losing the rich glossy green of his head and neck, which degenerates into an obscure brown, and the fine chestnut colour of his breast entirely disappears. The female is rather less than the male, and exhibits in the rufous brown of the head, crest, and neck, one of the peculiarities of the genus. The beak and legs are duller than in the male; the back and sides are grey; the chest barred with obscure transverse spots ; the middle of the wings white, with a dark bar. The under surface of a dirty white. The young male of the year resembles the female in colour, but possesses the characteristic conformation of trachea peculiar to the males. We have figured an adult male and female, two thirds of the natural size. rule eee ate 5a adhe) ayer LQ WHOA LUO prey BIT UtoLy UML T WIND LUUNT / STYCT[NOD) “SAS NW-D UH aL TAL © IH HOODED MERGANSER. Mergus cucullatus, Zann. LHarle couronné. Tue native locality of the Hooded Merganser appears to be the United States and the higher latitudes of North America. It is also found on the north and north-western coasts of Europe. We are indebted to that distinguished Ornithologist, Mr. Selby, of Northumberland, for a knowledge of the occurrence of this rare and beautiful species in England, and its consequent claims to a place in the Fauna of Great Britain. It is however but an accidental visitant, as this solitary instance only is on record of its having been taken in this country.—The following is the account given by that gentleman in the ‘“ Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle,” vol. 1. p. 292. ‘The other (alluding to the present bird), which we may claim as an acquisition, is the Mergus cucullatus (Hooded Merganser), upon the authority of a specimen killed at Yarmouth, in Norfolk, in the winter of 1829. The skin of this individual was lately sent to me by my esteemed correspondent Mr. Elton, of Redland near Bristol, to whom it was presented by a friend, who purchased it as a rare variety in a fresh state from the person who actually shot it. From the state of its plumage it appears to be a young female, the crest not being so full or large, and the white upon the secondary quills less extended than in the skin of an adult female compared with it.” We have not, it is true, examined the specimen from which Mr. Selby’s figure and description were taken ; nevertheless we are inclined to believe, from an inspection of the beautiful draw- ing which illustrates his work, that the bird in question is not a young female as Mr. Selby supposes, but an immature male, which in certain stages closely resembles the female in plumage, but may be distinguished by the larger and more rounded crest, which in the latter is long and thin. In size the Hooded Merganser is intermediate between the Red-breasted Merganser and Smew, and partakes strongly of all the characters which are peculiar to the genus. The irides are golden; the bill elongated, narrow, and of a dull red ; the head ornamented with a double row of long silky feathers, forming a beautiful compressed hood, which commences from the base of the beak, and when elevated forms a bold arch ending at the occiput. The head and its hood are of a glossy greenish black, with the exception on the latter of a large triangular fan-shaped spot of white the apex of which is situated just behind the eye, from which it diverges out- wards, having its external edge bordered by a margin of black continued from the surrounding colour; the neck and back black; the chest white, with two beautiful crescent-shaped lines proceeding from the back and arching forward in a point near the centre of the chest ; wings dark, with four alternate bars of black and white ; quill-feathers brown ; tertials consisting of elongated slender and pointed white feathers, with a broad black border, hanging gracefully over the wings ; rump and tail dark umber; sides ferruginous brown, marked with minute undulating transverse lines of a darker colour ; under surface white ; feet and webs flesh- coloured. The description of the female of a single species applies more or less to the same sex throughout the whole of the genus; as will be readily perceived in the present instance. Bill and feet as in the male; the head fur- nished with a small crest of slight hair-like feathers, of a dull ferruginous brown ; the neck dusky brown, slightly barred towards the chest with white ; the whole of the upper surface of a deep and rich umber ; the wings bearing traces of the white bars, which are distinct in the male ; the under parts white. We have figured a male and female, two thirds of their natural size. ) ~ nes wil yates Bae f iteidieny doitiet saul esdiedtdiaig y atthe Germs wie Wut al Pusat mn ex fyie dt Pld beoid. Ay init. * : . - ‘ o ints + Py F 4 = 4 ae i is 7 {t Pit ge - a 7 . ’ ‘ x it ‘ al ja a ifs “2 « uf H Ly | coal At _ 4 ‘ f rr = tr a ball | ar : ' wet dotulebue sinater db hevdhans . Cee Levinolon r J alsaed stucla o Wf afar alt We aoliqhtecah ofT 7? . : ; Fe » ie » " sk < oF ad hauloa - vlitwon, sd fie ee setter odd To eat Li ttaule atibalad td flees, sets ifgura 4 titi Dodeig, ee Se igh add gated the ing: aiff abrinngt Havind ylatgile ns . ie et diritails vad dole ee Ric “at ‘oe yoodad nuihiaod agate - = es a £43 og sie shat ié Region! ait 4 a SMEW. Mergus albellus, Linn. La Piette. Tuis bird interests us more by the purity and contrast of its colours, than by its brilliancy or variety ; the snowy whiteness of its plumage, broken by irregular markings of a jet black, in conjunction with the neatness of its general figure, producing an extremely pleasing effect. The Smew is the smallest of the genus Mergus, and offers considerable deviation in some points from the typical form : the body is less compressed and elongated, the beak shorter, with feet of diminished size ; which peculiarities, conjoined with the dark colour of the latter, evince a departure from the usual characteristics of this genus, and would seem to indicate an approximation to the more true Anatide or Duck tribe. Still however it must be conceded that it retains many prominent features of the genus, its habits and manners being in all respects the same; visiting us during inclement winters, at which time it is found in small numbers on the coasts and inland lakes of these Islands, and in much greater abundance in the more extensive waters of Holland and Germany ; but, as far as observation goes, it has never been known to breed with us. The arctic regions of both continents seem to be selected for its summer residence and breeding place. The bill is shorter than the head, and tapers suddenly as it approaches the point; its general colour, as well as that of the feet and legs, is a blueish lead, the webs more dusky ; irides dark hazel. The head is ornamented with a snowy pendent crest; a large greenish-black circle surrounds the eye; the occiput, over which hang the drooping feathers of the crest, is also black, with green reflections ; the neck pure white, as is also the chest, on the sides of which two crescent-shaped lines of black bend forward, continued from the back, which is black, becoming grey towards the rump and tail. The scapulars are white, marked with oblique lines of black ; the lesser coverts white, forming a broad band across the wing; secondaries and greater wing- coverts black, with white edges producing two smaller white bands; quills blackish-brown ; tertiaries light blueish-grey ; under parts pure white. The trachea of this species differs from those of its congeners in having no enlargement of the tube, which is formed by a series of firm rings gradually increasing in size from the larynx to the labyrinth, the latter being small and irregular in its figure; the tongue also is rather more rounded, and in form approaches to that of the Ducks. The female is smaller, and, although a pleasing bird, does not present the contrast of colouring so attractive in the male. ‘The beak and legs are lead-coloured ; the crest, as usual throughout the females of the genus, ferruginous-brown ; a black oval spot below the brown extends from the base of the bill, covers the cheek, and surrounds the eye,—a marking which seems to have been entirely overlooked by European ornithologists. The occiput and neck are dusky-white ; the chest light-grey, faintly clouded with obscure bars of a darker colour ; the back, rump and tail deep greyish-brown ; the wings, as in the male, are distinguished by a broad band and two lines of white ; shoulders, quills, and tertiaries brownish-black ; the under surface of the body white. The young birds, both male and female, during their first winter are alike in plumage, but both want the black circle round the eye which distinguishes the adult female. Its weight is about twenty-four ounces ; its length is from fifteen to sixteen inches : its food consists of marine insects, mollusce, small fish, and water plants. The annexed Plate represents an adult male and female in their winter dress, two thirds of their natural size. . r é Per al Laie, i ae P ry z ee ; > bs a ; ‘+ eth We 4 flux etryhg ot ak dh et eeestet ik aT F . ; * Py . * , _ , : j FE fi 5 . i : 7 - ‘, Z 3 7 i = - y - : * - ‘ t td - J . i. * uF ft : Ne | ry 5 dil aah rik, ushers oF; seks tf spoil) ah he aoastide trom sie ri tent eu etal | an hy ; we 2 it oka "bik Ti ern ot “ere al ma H Vite WUD eae iaiapy? OF ,2 ate i Lie: ia relies weal ¢ qe . fa ‘- 4108 Sat ee ee UG ' Le AE AL BETTE ; oie alia iy 1 liar ow qed et ald ary hiueade 2 on dre ia eat awd ct digd atvek grcoe $8P r : doida oie odd Danire oft seule A dion ee decal : . ata t ” baxaaee of T my abeigeomy re SHS ) ue ATS Th ASE, (YET) SUYESLIO Sdoo1pog ee SSO Nuon Genus PODICEPS. Grn. Cuar. Bill lengthened, strong, slightly compressed, straight, and pointed. Nostrils lateral, basal, linear, pierced in the middle of the nasal fosse ; space between the corner of the bill and the eye naked. Wings short and concave. Tail none. Legs placed at the posterior extremity of the body, the tbze being inclosed within the integuments of the abdomen. Tarst much compressed. Feet consisting of four toes, three before and one behind ; the front ones much flattened, and each furnished with a broad membrane. Nails large, flat, and broad. Plumage soft, downy, and thick, with a silky lustre. GREAT CRESTED GREBE. Podiceps cristatus, Lath. Le Grebe huppé. Tur Podiceps cristatus is not only the largest of all the European species of its genus, but may be regarded as one of the most typical examples. It is a native of the British Islands as well as of all the temperate portions of continental Europe, everywhere frequenting lakes, large ponds, the mouths of rivers, or the borders of the sea. In these situations it remains during the greater part of the year, eluding pursuit by its extraordinary powers of diving, and capability of remaining submerged beneath the surface of the water. We have also received numerous examples from Asia and Africa, which proved to be strictly identical with European specimens. The Plate represents a young bird of the year, and an adult during the season of incubation, at which period it assumes the rich ornamental crest and tippet which are then so conspicuous. It is the immature bird which is described by the older writers as the Tippet Grebe, and which so nearly represents the adults in their winter dress, as to render any further description unnecessary ; a mistake which modern ornithologists have rectified. The full or red stage of plumage, in which the frill and crest appear, is not acquired until the third year, and even then, in its greatest luxuriance, is only the ornament of the season of pairing and incubation, the elongated plumes of the cheeks and head being lost, as we suspect, on the approach of winter. There is another peculiarity common to this and the rest of the Grebes which requires notice ; we allude to the circumstance of the stomach being found after death commonly filled with a mass of feathers from the breast, but whether swallowed for the purpose of assisting the powers of digestion or not, it is impossible to conjecture. ‘The nest is composed of masses of decayed aquatic vegetables, secured amidst the herbage on the margin of the water, with the variations of which it rises or falls. The eggs are three or four in number, of a greenish white stained with brown. ‘Their food consists of fish, crustacea, and aquatic insects. The plumage of this species may be thus described: Crown of the head and occipital tuft or ear-feathers deep greyish black ; the frill black at its extreme edge, and rich chestnut throughout the greater part of the rest of its length, gradually fading off into the white of the cheeks and throat; the whole of the upper plumage brownish black, with a white bar across the wings; the under surface silvery white, becoming rufous on the flanks ; the tarsus and toes dark olive green on the upper side, on the under side pale yellow ; bill dark horn colour ; irides red. In winter the plumage resembles that of the summer, except that the richly coloured frill and elongated ear-feathers are wholly wanting. ‘The sexes at either season offer no external differences in the plumage. The figures in the Plate are somewhat less than the natural size. he - t : i 5 S. ehys ‘ t : £ ‘ F bait SIN Ns - ) a ' * ‘ ‘ \ . > x z F ‘ } ' + Pai ; ‘ , " “ . ; : j i P { - j re ky es " Cet eel a | a ¥ ats : ar : x : ‘ % t ie, } eg 5 ‘ Me (YT) Syootuqna sdoo1p og “a a aD OL A YD) LN Cl aa RED-NECKED GREBE. Podiceps rubricollis, Lath. Le Grebe jou-gris. Amonc the European species of Grebes, the Red-necked is intermediate in size between the Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) and the Horned Grebe (Podiceps cornutus). From the former it may be distinguished by the more partial development of the frill, which, with the whole of the cheeks, are of a light grey, and by the deep chestnut of the front and sides of the neck; while from the latter it differs in having the red streak passing through the eye to the occiput in the form of horns, as well as by the grey colour of the frill and cheeks, which in the Podiceps cornutus are black. In point of rarity, particularly in our own climate, it is on an equal footing with the latter, being only an accidental visiter, though sometimes probably breeding with us. In food, habits and manners this rare bird closely agrees with its congeners, inhabiting large inland lakes, rivers, estuaries, and the borders of the sea. In France and Holland it appears to be almost as scarce as in this country. It seems to be more common in Germany and Sweden; but its true habitat is the eastern portion of Europe or the adjacent regions of Asia. It is, however, far from being uncommon in all our larger collections ; and we have ourselves seen both the young and adult in the London markets. In their mature plumage, the two sexes offer but little external difference, both, we believe, always losing the beautiful frill and red colouring of the neck in winter, and regaining them early in the succeeding spring. The young bird, when it has attained the full size, as in all this family, is of a greyish brown above, and white beneath, but may be distinguished by one character from the young of other species, namely, by the yellow colour of the whole of the lower mandible except at its very tip. The adult colouring is as follows. . The top of the head, the egrets, the occiput and back of the neck, black ; the back and whole of the upper surface of a brownish black, with the exception of the secondaries, which are white, so as to form a band across the wings ; front and sides of the neck deep chestnut; under surface white ; bill black, except at the base, which is of a rich orange yellow ; irides scarlet; tarsi and toes dull olive green. Our Plate represents an adult in the summer plumage, and a bird of the year, of the natural size. ‘Tk 99 tte ise ate i! is tor sfoudiek od ee aolas; Nich j . r aig : ae Be Dod ee, 7 ? ee ey : “6 nt penuoles. fabs ot ‘76 Maegan te * © é - ; 4 : : ad 9 a as i. J ic oe Pay : ’ “f° “lm ie : 5 ; yi : ‘7 i Me) ont ai » >", PS ils B, y {i673 sith 4 & i ara) aki r , : = sa 2 ay F TM ue lia tor ptt fiat 6 lat i it ta cee wel 2: hay wrk 616° SoaPire tek mates . a - . ‘ f , y A -e yy + Pes pS vf ¢ ee a f ao Vesey ri v 7 - i ad vi , ; a “5 pos i ee L &Pth: BRR CAAYERS @ eunre Gnd. 2a0voe ; more " : cK a Z : oP gh i es ae a ne Cane - - . } etry | ‘ Soy Ee AST oS FUP yee, gee te. itr’ at a jah eat ee a oe iy ‘ i ae 1 r F pees . é . ‘j F . > s * L fa Fux tns Pla oad oleic bokl ¢ beg: SR ROBiE rem Onne iy Tb Teenie cae Pepa ae Sie ake eet ‘ i a * a be eis pe AF te : “ 7 pamaciapia y Ap pring _ mpg i gr Ky acne no g aampoyy aay] nsandc (yge 7 / suymuaes sdsotpoy : “aa aD Cd aN O Al we HORNED GREBE. Podiceps cornutus, Lath. Le Grébe cornu, ou Esclavon. Tis beautiful Grebe is one of the rarest of those that occasionally visit the British Islands, particularly when it is adorned with the richly coloured plumes which characterize it in the adult state, a stage in which we have illustrated both sexes. We would however observe, that this fine plumage is only confined to the birds during the breeding season ; at other seasons the plumage is less diversified, the frill and horns being alike absent, and the chestnut colouring of the neck being exchanged for greyish white ; in this stage as well as that of the young it has been termed the Podiceps obscurus, Podiceps caspicus, &c. It is in the latter state that it is most frequently seen on our shores, and in which it so closely resembles the young of Podiceps cristatus as to require minute attention in order to distinguish them. To this difference we have alluded in the description of Podzceps auritus. Of all the Grebes, the present has the widest range of habitat, extending itself throughout the whole of the arctic circle, seldom venturing further south than the British Isles in Europe, and the middle of the United States in the American continent. Like all other species of its genus, it seems to prefer inland lakes adjacent to the sea, and the mouths of large rivers ; but still it is often found along low flat shores of the sea. In its nidification it agrees strictly with its congeners, constructing a nest of such water-plants as abound on the spot in the lake where it resides ; the nest being always on the surface of the water, attached to the strong reeds which rise from the bottom and secure it in its position. The eggs are four in number, of a dull white, exhibiting stains from the weeds upon which they repose. The plumage of summer may be thus characterized. ‘The top of the head, back of the neck, and upper surface black, with a slight tinge of green; a stripe of light chestnut which takes its origin from the base of the beak, and passes through the eye, is spread over two tufts of silky feathers, which rise like horns on each side of the occiput ; the feathers of the cheeks are lengthened and spread out into a beautiful frill of a rich greenish black ; the fore part of the neck and edges of the flanks of a rich chestnut ; the under surface silvery white ; tarsi and feet dull olive, with the exception of the anterior and posterior edges of the former, which are yellow ; beak black, tipped with yellow ; irides crimson, The female strictly resembles the male, except that her size is rather less, the plumes less brilliant, and the ornament of the head less developed. The Plate represents a male and female of the natural size. Wr Be ae! ti aan at ' as ee MA bee { Po iiue 8: ate t a, iy Hi , peprenuc pry) hy POWs DIODE P LAG PUMIMUOP YT MDL) UNDA pwuuy) ‘“styrane sdootpog “TT LAD) CEL le MemeeNttssi, KARED GREBE. Podiceps auritus, Lath. Le Grébe oreillard. Like the rest of the family, whose locomotive powers are ill adapted for land, the Eared Grebe inhabits the water as its native element ; not only obtaining its food there, but also carrying on the whole process of incubation, constructing a floating nest, composed of water-plants rudely matted together, which falls and rises with the influx and reflux of the waves. In size, the Podiceps auritus is somewhat less than the Sclavonian Grebe, or P. cornutus, from which it may readily be distinguished by the absence of the chestnut-coloured neck and rufous stripe which passes from the base of the bill through the eye to the occiput. The present species may be considered as one of the rarest of the genus in this country; but we are led to suppose, from the seasons in which it is taken, that it sometimes resorts to our inland waters for the purpose of breeding. The female lays about four eggs, of a dirty white colour. The young differ very considerably from the adult; the characteristics of which we have faithfully portrayed in the annexed Plate, where it will be seen that the prevailing colour of the immature bird is a uniform grey on the upper surface, with a silvery appearance spreading over the whole of the under parts. Reasoning from analogy, we may suppose that the Podiceps auritus undergoes the same variations at different seasons of the year which we know to take place in the other species of the genus; gaining its darker colour and ornamented ear-feathers only as the breeding season advances. When this period is past, and during the winter, we believe the adult to bear a close resemblance in plumage to the young of the year which have not yet undergone any change. The male and female offer but little difference. M. Temminck informs us that it is extremely rare both in the marshes and on the coasts of Holland, its native locality appearing to be more especially confined to the rivers and fresh waters of the North of Europe. Its food consists of small fishes, crustaceous animals, the larve of water insects, &c. The bill is black ; the irides bright red ; the ear-feathers long and silky, radiating from the eye to the occiput, and of a light glossy chestnut ; the head ornamented with a short full crest, which, with the throat, neck, and upper surface, is of a uniform blackish brown. The quill-feathers dark brown, secondaries white ; sides of the rump dark chestnut brown. The whole of the under surface a pure silvery white ; legs greenish- black. Weight thirteen ounces ; length twelve inches and a half. lseitiegh 6 ee P aN i avaiiiast ie atta papery a hy wogualy ; ‘ppnan ipy p hg nung uo afiyruunsf rumen ' funy) ‘xsourut sdeoipog al Gl St WD ITE alls alls ETL LITTLE GREBE, or DABCHICK. Podiceps minor, Lenn. Le Grébe custagneux. Tue changes in plumage which even a bird so common as the Dabchick undergoes, have been until lately so little understood as to have produced for a single species a double nomenclature. It is now, however, known that the black-chinned Grebe of older authors, and by them supposed to be a distinct species, is the Podiceps minor in its summer plumage. In this state, as well as in that which it assumes in winter, we have introduced it in our Plate. To this little bird, as to its congeners, the water is the native and familiar element. Extensively spread over Europe, except as we approach the more northern regions, it may be seen busily traversing the surface of inland waters, or dipping and diving in pursuit of its food; still it is shy, and distrustful of man, disliking his presence, and avoiding his prying curiosity by retreating at his approach to its reedy covert; or, if this be im- practicable, diving among floating weeds and water-lilies, where, with its bill alone above the surface, for the purpose of breathing, it will remain patiently watching till the danger be past, when it will cautiously emerge and seek its wonted haunt. At ease and alert as is the Dabchick on the waters, it exhibits on terra firma a complete contrast, waddling along in an awkward and constrained manner, and glad to escape to its congenial element again. Its powers of flight are also inconsiderable ; unless, indeed, it rises to a certain elevation, when, notwithstanding the shortness of the wings and absence of tail, it can sustain a long and rapid excursion. The young when just excluded are in the perfect possession of all those powers which especially tend to their preservation. While yet covered with down, and perfectly incapable of flight, they may be seen, in com- pany with the parent birds, swimming and diving, either in the exuberance of animal enjoyment, or in pursuit of food: hence the legs and beak, which in most birds are long in acquiring their full development, outstrip in the present instance the acquisition of the powers of wing, this latter endowment being less immediately and intimately connected with their preservation and the manner of obtaining subsistence. In winter, while in its brown plumage, the Dabchick gives the preference to broad extensive waters, lakes or rivers, associating together in small numbers during the season of clouds and storms, and on the approach of spring separating by pairs in different directions over the country in search of a more secluded and con- genial breeding-place ; often taking up their abode in small ponds close to the habitation of man. Should the lover of nature watch them at the time of their building without being discovered, (an attain- ment of the utmost difficulty, as every sense seems alive to danger and gives notice of intrusion,) he will be delighted to mark their playfulness and agility, while the tone of happiness and enjoyment which pervades their actions and their mutual labours, throws an additional charm over the picture. The nest of this bird is composed of a mass of green plants, loosely interwoven, which floats on the water. In this the female deposits her eggs to the number of four or five, the original whiteness of which becomes discoloured, apparently from the juices of the plants in contact with them, and the wet feet of the parent birds. The female Dabchick, at least under certain circumstances, (as the author has often personally witnessed, ) is undoubtedly in the habit of covering her eggs on leaving the nest ; and he has watched while this action has been performed : it is effected in a rapid and hurried manner, by pulling over them portions of the surround- ing herbage. In the summer plumage the beak is blackish ; tip, base, and naked skin which extends to the eye, yellowish- white ; eyes reddish ; crown of the head, back of the neck, and chin, of a brownish black with green reflections ; sides and front of the neck of a lively chestnut ; the whole of the upper surface together with the sides and wings blackish with olive reflections; the thighs and rump tinged with ferruginous ; the under surface more or less silvery; legs and feet dark olive-green, without assuming a flesh-colour on the inner surface. In winter the colour of the plumage differs little from that of the birds of the first year, which consists of a uniform brown above and more or less silvery beneath; the two sexes having little external distinction either in winter or summer. The total length nine inches. ene Be: ts a ie 4 : a:¢u8 ‘ = ' ae? ’ ¥ ms " : sant va, i al i oe ' 45 ee ae ee as me ] : nigde Be weet EPR ae aie Fopn-hy ; 4 epee A i - a | ; a ‘ : - ' 2 one ye pak : a Ras jaya, VPs A Mey bao Gul f ae, fie ee | ee ch el eo ee iy (EE Pee, TAECe Wo Seeye® Rrietic/ She eines, ea A 3 OG f 7 ; . y : : 7 jo Pee Bee DEES ARE Soehiey EMO. aay 2S ie ‘ Pa ; i = 7 if j i 2 * ri a Ao * ‘ a eS be as i . a re : ‘ ley ‘ . ais il f .* a“ *~ = cs sure Fi S e rs a . ' a - = ain 4 ié : ‘al ie = ~ ir ' = ie . ; oa > “i, ay * * f iv a YF 1 i ’ * ay ns , j _ 7 % : + ‘ « - ‘ * E : j 5 Le ‘ 7 4 ‘ : * ‘ 5 ; } “ * é j a] ' ; 1 heeds cs A j > ‘i : a é ij i Fs \t i i “ + : 4 ih . . ‘ ' . i Pi ' “, “. - ‘ as ~ - Hy . . an. 4 : - z é Fs « ISLA DP tele r J ‘ . - '¢ 7 q a ‘ y ‘ee we ’ J j ¢ in , <2 : 4 i * i a% i, ice Wea tay ; rae a uf 4 Be 4 i A ¥ ee a LJ af 2 _ v ‘ f 4 7 j t x mi “se ' 7 Wy ' ed 1 Le as "4 7} 7 , Ft : t, . f » “ ea ie : . ! “ at ~ a ? Dae ’ +s eh et a. Wiad, be Xess { t ic. re i e * 4 4 thats oe 4 ine 4 5 at tay 5 Wi eerie Ss ypaihini ee ia bi } ‘ iAvaled are f,' oe ’ latite t he soniye airing din yaa 1 of re “ Aa ast ™ or Bs an Ae HAZ Wh Talay oe adore oh 4 S cand ae we Ts fA i ‘ae ty y rs. a wet ; es: r aye we PY20D TH AigeUays 40 IP RAQD/ MDA UNDA (UMIT J STPRIOMN |S SNGAUATO,) “AU RILACIE GE Nd eT adi tl CD) NN ELA NSCS Genus COLYMBUS, Lath. Gen. Cuar. Bill longer than the head, strong, straight, compressed, and sharp-pointed. Nostrils basal, lateral, linear, oblong, pervious, half closed by a membrane. Wings short, acuminate, having the first quill-feather the longest. Taz/ short and rounded. Tars: thin, very much compressed. Feet large, of four toes, three before and one behind; outer toe exceeding the middle one in length; front toes entirely webbed; hind toe furnished with a lobe, and partly connected with the exterior membrane of the inner toe. Nails flat and broad. NORTHERN DIVER. Colymbus glacialis, Lenn. Le Plongeon Imbrin. Tus noble species of Diver, the largest and most typical of its genus, appears to be equally dispersed over the whole of the northern hemisphere, giving preference to the regions within the arctic circle during sum- mer, and progressing southward as far as latitude 36° on the approach of autumn and winter, at which seasons they are by no means of rare occurrence in our own islands, although, in accordance with that general law of Nature which causes the young to wander furthest from their native habitat, we find a much greater pro- portion of immature birds than of those which bear the beautifully contrasted livery of the adult. The great dissimilarity of plumage which characterizes the species at different ages has caused much confusion in its nomenclature, the bird of the first year having been described as specifically distinct from the adult, while, again, those of the second year, when they have partially assumed the mature livery, have been considered as differing from both. In this latter state they are frequently met with round our coasts, but less so than the birds of the first year, which may be very commonly observed even in our lakes and estuaries. M. Temminck states that on the European Continent it gives a preference to the shores of the sea, although the young are frequently found up the large rivers ; and even the German and Swiss lakes are not altogether exempt from its visits. ‘That it inhabits the shores of the Black Sea, and without doubt the Mediterranean, is a fact with which we are made acquainted by the circumstance of the Zoological Society’s having received an individual, in the second year’s plumage, from their valued correspondent Keith E. Abbot, Esq., of Trebizond. We have before alluded to the far-extended wanderings of the young migratory birds ; and as no instance is on record of these birds having bred in southern latitudes, we may reasonably infer that the individual above mentioned had wandered from the regions of the arctic circle, which form their almost exclusive summer residence and breeding-place. Are we, then, to presume that the individuals found in the Black Sea have proceeded thither by way of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, or by crossing partially over land, following the course of the large rivers, as the Danube, the Don, the Volga, &c.? We incline to the latter supposition, as all migratory animals pursue, with as little deviation as possible, a course from north to south, or vice versa. Its dependence for food rests entirely on its great activity in diving, as it subsists solely, whether at sea or in fresh water, upon fish, aquatic insects, &c., in the capture of which it displays astonishing agility and rapidity of motion. The situation chosen for the purpose of nidification are the borders and islands of inland seas, lakes, and rivers ; the nest being placed close to the water’s edge, so as to be easily accessible to the parent, whose perfect adaptation for progression on the water, its natural element, totally unfits it for walking, though it contrives to propel itself forward by means of resting’ its breast upon the ground and striking backward with its feet, somewhat like the action of swimming. The plumage of the sexes is strictly similar, the adults having the top of the head and neck fine black glossed with purplish green; a transverse bar of white spotted with black crosses the throat, and a wider band of the same colour passes lower down upon the back part of the neck; the whole of the upper surface glossy black, each feather having white spots, one on each side the shaft, forming rows, those on the scapu- laries becoming larger and square, but continuing small and nearly round on the back and rump ; primaries black without spots; flanks and sides black spotted with white; whole of the breast and under surface white ; bill and legs black ; irides reddish brown. The young of the year has the top of the head, back of the neck, upper surface, and flanks light greyish brown, the centre of each feather being darker; under surface pure white; bill, inner side of the tarsi, and interdigital membrane fleshy greyish white ; outer side of the tarsi and toes brownish black. The Plate represents an adult male and a young bird of the year, about two thirds of the natural size. peti ej tala bite " beevignt aay ‘ies e PA Sergei ever she el’ Bee iy ale aise If tho Cee Bevilaranrinty ink Wi ee peak Veit { ae ASK it Wee ' aie OO RAG no OH yon as © i t : MICA. SNR : - t 4 r i : Late 46% SEPM TaD, aH 7 + 7 - , ' ; 7 " Be? frebbad ta aatigeta. Matimods aomaoite sth <7 sat x aris “i a + a fa Lahey ahs aire ee “lite dj egenit 4 4 i a , i 7 ik : ka . | ative | visaeeh: thet in fe Pa Ae skeet (re , i: oe shel pe Dero Agcy OF MANY, a ee bi aa te eee 48 RE ttiesatos fossa 2 ' ’ “ey anced . ‘ ’ Ue oe ee a yiitds a agehes alt Yo. ageminley. val Bie rahi apa \. See a eaess eilieriscy dive takeah a a hdl eee? Peo wstrak wunasite “iseekiins ‘sae att ‘we awe ‘ews vhs Rae nt yuivadt qwilrica ony ehontit oe rt ae Bd Ay {Lima wa tbat o2 tud auMpa Tyatas wnt 3 afore patules dine fatten a taal ahi Bact abet paid ul Hid igh. a + Obie wwe MD sor a Ce Pad shee if é ; 4 ; - ~ * Geo t Diva deat “lt te owt Lovin sft le einetdy ows taodaraiiog A ‘ ‘ “en 1 * +. ca fatty NBT pwlic kan pepuemauapynny 9 hy Jonny [OO RE OIL Ff! OOO ET OPA ioe! Lipman Nae) Ls AU MAIC CA LVOUNL-wMOVvTIe wrag TEL hy uns aea ap aannreyp neoal uascoag BLACK-THROATED DIVER. Colymbus arcticus, Lznn. Le Plongeon Lumme, ou a gorge noire. Tur accompanying figures of the young and adult of the Black-throated Diver were taken from two speci- mens of exquisite beauty, placed at our disposal by W. Baker, Esq., of Bayfordbury in Hertfordshire, by whom they were shot during his tour through Norway in the pleasant pursuit of natural history. That gentleman informed us that they were both killed upon one of the small lakes of the interior, from which cir- cumstance we may infer that it was an adult, with its own young of that year. The range of the Black-throated Diver extends over the whole arctic circle, everywhere giving preference to inland waters and small lochs. It must have afforded much pleasure to Sir Wm. Jardine, Bart., and Mr. Selby, during their late visit to the extensive wilds of Sutherlandshire, to observe a pair of these birds inhabit- ing almost every small loch they visited. Before this period it had not been fully ascertained that this species made any portion of the British Islands a permanent residence, or that it remained in them during the period of incubation. It is of rare occurrence in all the temperate portions of the globe, its migrations being less extended, perhaps, than any other species of its genus, the young, as is generally the case, wandering furthest from home. It is not an unfrequent occurrence to find individuals in their first year’s plumage in the London market. While in this stage they often frequent the sea and the mouths of large rivers, where they obtain an abundant supply of fish, crustacea, and other marine animals, which constitute their principal food. It will be scarcely necessary to inform our readers, that when the inland lakes of the northern climes become frozen, the adults retreat to the ocean, where they brave with impunity the severities of the coldest winters. ‘Their power of diving is vigorous and remarkable, not more for swiftness than for the long time they are capable of continuing submersed: it is this amazing power that enables them to avoid with the greatest ease every artifice of man to capture them on the open sea or large lakes. When fully adult the sexes offer little or no difference in the colouring of their plumage: the young, on the contrary, are clothed in a much more sombre vest, being entirely destitute of the black throat and contrasted bars of white and black which ornament the back and scapularies of the adults. The nest is placed at the brink of the water; the eggs being generally two in number, of a dark olive brown blotched with spots of black. Head and neck dusky grey, deepest on the fore part of the head; throat and front of the neck deep black with purple and green reflections ; below the throat a narrow transverse band of black ; a broad band, longi- tudinally rayed with white and black, extends from the ears down each side of the neck; upper surface deep glossy black ; the greater part of the scapulars and the side feathers of the mantle marked with large white spots, forming on the scapulars several transverse bars ; wing-coverts spotted with white; sides and flanks black ; the remainder of the under surface being pure white ; legs deep brown on the outsides, paler within ; bill brownish black ; irides reddish brown. «- The young undergo three moultings before they attain their full colouring, during which changes they gradually pass from the plumage of the year represented in our Plate to that of the adults. The Plate represents a male in full plumage, and a young bird of the year, about three fourths of the natural size. . (U177) STTRULOTAMO}daS 8 ine MATO) All Wy (ry A\ kG WZ O Ul Call, = Cl AEM Se SGN! : aye RED-THROATED DIVER. Colymbus septentrionalis, Linn. Le Plongeon a gorge rouge. Tus Red-throated Diver, although possessing all the characteristics of the genus, differs very considerably both in colour and disposition of its markings from the other two species, viz. the Northern, and Black-throated, which form its European congeners. Of these it is the least in size, but by far the most abundant, being found in considerable numbers along the European coasts, and is especially plentiful in the arctic regions of both the European and American quarters of the globe. Although far from being uncommon on the sea-shores, it appears to evince great partiality for fresh and inland waters, taking to the sea when these are frozen ; hence in winter it is common along the coasts of England and Holland, beyond the latitudes of which it rarely passes southwards. Like the others of its genus, it is a bold and vigorous diver, a mode of progression to which its lengthened neck and body are admirably adapted. Its principal food consists of small fish, crabs and other crustacea, to which, when it visits fresh waters, are added frogs, newts, and aquatic plants. Its flight, when it is mounted — into the higher regions of the atmosphere, is rapid, and it has the capability of sustaining it for a long time. We are able from experience to assure the reader, that the British Islands, particularly Scotland, the Orkneys and Hebrides, are to be reckoned among its annual breeding-places ; nor have we any reason to doubt that the northern shores of Europe in general afford it an asylum also for a similar purpose. It constructs a slight nest of grasses and vegetable fibres, among the herbage of morasses, and at the edges of such large lakes as invite it by their seclusion and quietude. Its eggs, two in number, are of a dark red brown blotched over with spots of black. The young, immediately after exclusion from the shell, are very active, follow their parents to the water, and instantly commence their search for food. Their growth is rapid, so that they soon acquire their full size, though not the adult colouring of the plumage till after the first autumn. The young bird has hitherto been described in works on Ornithology as the Colymbus stellatus, the Speckled Diver, &c.; the white throat which characterizes the birds of the year, together with the speckled plumage of the upper parts, having doubtless led to the mistake. The throat and fore part of the neck in the adult bird are covered with short, thick-set, velvety feathers of a dark grey, having in the centre a broad longitudinal band of rich chestnut,—at least during the summer, for we are as yet in doubt whether this character be lost as winter advances ; certain it is, that the adult birds taken in autumn have both the grey and chestnut of the throat less distinct and intermingled with patches of white. When the bird has become fully adult, the white specks which more or less distinguish the upper plumage of the young birds, according to their age, disappear, leaving the back of a uniform greenish brown. The upper part of the head and back of the neck are marked with longitudinal, wavy, narrow lines of white edged with black ; breast and under parts white; flanks dashed with ash-coloured blotches; beak black; irides orange ; tarsi on their external aspect, and toes, of a deep olive black, having their internal sides and webs of a livid white. We have figured an adult and a young bird of the year two thirds of their natural size. a hai " - } z ; : —_ , ” . : : 2 . ~ b . J i i? es t * * a ‘ > “a f i eit 3 : 4 pe ineynte. BW « Mf 5 * 4 s : - 4 ad ; cont Teun RD ot ¥ rear f° dole tate hear ary 4 Came ia vo ee ec cas Ce oat L awk * * “nat * ¢ : POMPE MNES V5 Lb von yultpsl » Wee eee dia bs valfednes wolds ai cots mit Seale? 4 Pee) CIT ati aiwit-Waithw CREW he SOU ‘ u of erohheon af ; eft Leh area i ’ mt ansietn ort re i rs i itt i ‘> H te ORL ) b Bio i DICT Itt * re wins The raeovere luepdlod a ei i gaieog eli te wtodey 99d sales i tilt eit +a ‘ or pant h ; TA ADD a A om ab ril 5eilt ss ee Poet ot ‘ . aad “* te + glia 9 oaks Sei apodiers. weeks dd 00s ae wt} “% Fi} Jie SP ee eT eed - Pat + ‘ha Peak Cad Os ee j ie wie iio Legiowuet Gd 4) Ot= 22rd ba ql i re A heey a ogee’ to ent ro ice : : + . uae r vi ; ff i. 20d apes 9 wert iy Jani ; nd ° j « sis ny Aabyis tonne ee tt f cial? ib te ahve ' of : ' t : i aonia ; } . - th “Sel ro We ati hate het vit ; eaerit . of ihovorlt asia Uy aiget y (eye arrose til aout freich wil ahd oth ) ? darn a Te fait an ti if isl ly oo bof eolidook 2efti acum, epi) og hy is euilieadt yvtorloy doedaidt ode ee hareras- oie i. : 3 ? y edtaw. sdb aah teal ie — tes doin Yo wpa? gods aledl tobe odt tall i tadehioe pesemathe watite ci TF anttelor be eoifatannl hen hetyninmatai yeas dpeniderd az teidt 3 apis axl wegriyat Hote silos t ott 10: satoced aa lag ny Py Pee are ne wo toad pelt aie riondeust. ¢ hie alee aitigkes hi rit tee adler has pire — Sat i visti gairel foul se cud quad ie wt M4) ivsicl gts » fgets lube He ir noah he ov 7 be iy vat fi ¥. 4! ween eh i Goal ws dite = esi ; ah a. i te o a ead c+ ae 4 A , i a p *35 " FOOLISH GUILLEMOT. : . Una Troile: (Zag@/ f r Troan trom Mature & on Stone ty J & £. Goutd, Lronted by C itlimande: F Genus URIA. Gen. Cuan. Beak of mean length, straight, strong, compressed, and pointed ; upper mandible slightly arched ; ¢omza intracted ; angle of the lower mandible gently ascending ; commissure nearly straight. Nostra/s basal, lateral, concave, longitudinally cleft, and half covered with the feathers of the antiw, or projecting side angles of the cranium. Wengs short, narrow, and acute. Taal of twelve or fourteen feathers, very short. Legs situated at the back of the abdomen and concealed within its integuments. Tars¢ short and compressed. Feet of three toes, all directed forwards and palmated ; outer and middle toes of equal length, the inner one much shorter. Claws fulcate, the middle one the longest. FOOLISH GUILLEMOT. Uria Troile, Zinn. Le Grand Guillemot. Tue native habitat of this well-known bird extends throughout the northern regions of both hemispheres, and it is probably more abundant than any other of the oceanic birds of the same family. In its habits and manners it is truly aquatic, making the sea its permanent place of residence, except during the season of breeding, when it assembles on the ledges of the precipitous rocks which overhang the deep. In the British dominions, it collects annually in vast multitudes at the high cliffs and the Needle rocks in the Isle of Wight, the Bass rock in the Firth of Forth, the steep rocks on the west and east coast, the Shetlands and Orkneys, and, in fact, any coast whose bold and precipitous rocks afford a place suited for incubation. Here, united with Puffins, Cormorants, Razorbills, and Gulls, the assembled multitude offers to the eye a striking, novel, and animated picture, their continued clamour mingling with the hoarse beating of the sea, and completing a scene of no ordinary interest to the lover of nature; the Puffin seeking his hole in the rock, the Cormorant and Shag resorting to the topmost cliff, and the broad-winged Gull the lowermost range, covered with scanty herbage, while the Guillemot takes possession of the middle ledges along the face of the precipice, where thousands may be seen patiently performing the work of incubation, each sitting upright on its single large egg, which were it not for its peculiar shape would every moment be swept away from its narrow resting- place. After the breeding-season is over, they again take to the watery element, where, with their young, they traverse the wide ocean, not returning to the rocks till the succeeding spring. After breeding, they appear to undergo a partial moult : they lose their primaries so simultaneously as to be incapable of flight for a considerable period ; a circumstance of little moment, as they easily elude pursuit by diving, in which they excel surprisingly. At this time they also begin to lose the obscure black of the cheeks, which is exchanged for delicate white ; this white also characterizes the young of the year, which can only be distinguished from the adult in winter, by the darker colouring of the body, and by the more abbreviated and fleshy coloured bill. There is no perceptible difference in the sexes at either season. Independently of the great resort of this bird to the British Isles, they abound in similar situations along the whole of the coast of Northern Europe, whence they gradually migrate southwards on the approach of winter, returning again with the vast shoals of fishes which pass northward in spring. The whole of the upper surface of the throat and neck is of a uniform sooty black, inclining to grey, with a slender bar of white, which extends half across the wings; the under surface is a delicate white ; bill blackish brown ; irides dark hazel; tarsi dark brown, with a slight tinge of olive. The Plate represents an adult and a young bird of the year of the natural size. . aah rp i e peat y we +m ut ier csi! te Dex 3" ze it Weber Hot “h ’ ; ihocnaitii’ Shatin: shynlina fey rit TAN fol ohare: a Ae Aaa: Wine L wire og i i 4. : + h - ‘eventay Qe ase WS rilgoon i ER eal by atthe 4 Ts oolinah pat : 3 rt 7 © : 5 Vib e4 “! ry yin Si iy akcsin ny ve wT th View serie hh , a . 4 d =. ‘ é. " a : ] wr) FPA eid. ary risitiin Pireds “de Pied) iPad rule Ae! F ; Ww ' ‘ an ye * were ' ‘ re : wh, ys et vey Ok te hai: ee ee ee = a i ed * me ‘ P r : “a4! hs . , ; i) - age ; ' ‘ a . ‘ * -s oe “ J - 7 ale oct es, Gale ee i vietiers Wceia cS Anau aeeees a “Tt - 7 i : - + oo . Mai, 0 otee wi dopo ei ketee red af reel) e! ‘ ; i boon » ine ; ut bah weg Teche a5 1 hy aAt. pei ; « es * i " r i t ‘ * | ' i eT: ; Fat pine ee Ah epee fee Wl tn hoder : . en ene F ae. st i sie bv ir twat! i date air? le UL; to Aiesh, “‘uutre roa ‘ ! “4 oP ogee iter of Sega) phar od ieveiedell en aie ‘ Veue Beek We let 14 Wo yd (Ae ach by Loe tT” aa re. j en wate al aie! “ eat with pind hat: rapt et rh 4 ; fe ee it . 7 | hy Ads We aS i vom vent diol Tous j oual died wast L yer dn ay ‘ ; : viet ‘ made: Pa pPetiage cial 8 Wag Lae OA 3 ae, ie a een. IES revs ult. mt d ; é we ie * x | =f i BRIDLED GUILLEMOT. Una lachrymans, /Lapy,/ Droovinjrom Nature kon Stone by J & £.Contd, Lrinted ty C Ealimande: BRIDLED GUILLEMOT. Uria lacrymans, Lapy/. Le Guillemot bridé. AuTHoueH we have figured this bird under the name of /acrymans we are doubtful of its specific value, bearmg as it does so close a resemblance to the common species (Ura Troidle), and from which it differs only in the white mark which encircles the eyes and passes down the sides of the head. It inhabits the same localities, and is even often found in company with the common species, and that too on various parts of our coast, part ticularly those of Wales, where, we have been informed, both kinds are equally numerous. It was firs- described as distinct by Choris, who states that it is abundant at Spitzbergen and the neighbouring seas. By M. Temminck and the French naturalists the two birds are considered to be distinct, and as such we have figured them. The head, neck, all the upper surface, wings, and tail are deep sooty black; a line encircling the eye and passing down the side of the head, the tips of the secondaries, and all the under surface pure white; bill black ; feet brown. Our figure is of the natural size. & yy Md To Ud OY We Th. Sh athe pee IL z bs : hin cities if ‘ 4 ‘ SPURT De CAI ad ‘Cee - i ; ' ; SELEPCPE GEERT AU att Beast ‘ y ‘4 : oF Tieeya | : 8 | ris VC RDA + Ta Ee a 8 Ch ania! PtAR Re RRa, Ge byes te ak Dptlige 2) (bhai eee dare Co | iD Fi re Ape ghhe eerie i 4 if al ' ' : ree La ee tet ¢ ‘ ‘ et . a Min ot aha: * NOL, Eitiios ASBLG : ! i, " . *~ ‘ Tue arin a Yi ! fed 8) BE OE he } i oh i + /ragogy “ows, PTI) SLOW ATT OD =S Je OTN NCOPSE EL prog Ty [hg mung uo y annoy BRUNNICH’S GUILLEMOT. Uria Brunnichii, Sabzne. Le Guillemot a gros bec. Tuts species may at all times be distinguished from the Ura Troile, with which it has been often confounded, by the stout and abbreviated form of the bill, and by the much shorter space between the nasal orifices and the tip. We are only able to give a figure of it in its supposed summer plumage, which resembles that of the Common Guillemot, with this exception, that the dark parts are deeper and much more in- tense in colour, verging indeed towards sooty black. Although we have no authentic account of its having been captured in the British Islands, we feel convinced that it must occasionally occur along our northern shores. It is very abundant in Greenland, Spitzbergen, Davis’s Straits, and Baffin’s Bay; it doubtless also tenants the rugged shores of Norway, Lapland, &c.; and its habits in all probability closely resemble those of its congeners. Crown of the head and all the upper surface glossy brownish black; sides of the face and front of the neck dark sooty black; tips of the secondaries and all the under surface white; bill black ; gape bright yellow ; feet greenish. Our figure is of the natural size. BLACK GUILLEMOT. Una grylle; (Lath) Dream prom Nature hon Stone by Sk. Cond: ; Printed by C Fellas | BLACK GUILLEMOT. Uria Grylle, Lath. Le Guillemot a miroir blanc. Tue northern parts of Scotland and the Orkney and Shetland Islands form a place of general rendezvous for the Black Guillemot, which being less migratory in its habits than its near ally the Foolish Guillemot (Uria Trove, Lath.) seldom quits these isolated groups, whose bays afford it shelter during the stormy season of winter, and whose abrupt and precipitous cliffs are equally inviting as a site for incubation. On the ledges of these rocks it deposits its single white egg spotted with black: the young are hatched in about three weeks, and shortly after are conveyed, but by what means is unknown, to the water, an element to which they are so expressly adapted that they are enabled to swim and dive with the utmost facility the moment they arrive on its surface, and to brave with impunity the rough seas which are so prevalent in northern latitudes. After the process of reproduction is over, the adults are subject to a considerable change in the colour of their plumage, apparently caused by a general moult, even to the primaries, which are so simultaneously lost that the bird is for a considerable period deprived of the power of flight. The fine black plumage by which the Black Guillemot is characterized during the summer now gives place to a mottled dress, consisting of half white and half black feathers unequally dispersed over the body, the former colour predominating so much during the rigorous season of winter as to render the bird almost wholly white. Although this style of plumage characterizes, to a certain extent, the young of the year, still the latter may at all times be distinguished from the former by having the tips of each feather, which is white beneath, only fringed with black ; by having the white spot on the wings, at all times uniform in the adult, invariably clouded with black; and by the feet being yellowish brown instead of red. Although a few pairs of the Black Guillemot occasionally breed on the Isle of May in the mouth of the Frith of Forth, still it is evident that the high northern latitudes form its most congenial and natural habitat. It appears to abound in the arctic circle, being equally common in the polar regions of both continents. According to the continental writers, it is less abundant on the coasts of Holland and France than on those of England, but more frequent on those of Norway and the shores of the Baltic. It rarely, if ever, resorts to inland waters. Its principal food consists of small fish, marine crustacea, &c. The sexes are alike in plumage, and the adults, in summer, may be distinguished by their having the whole of the plumage of a sooty-black tinged with olive-green, with the exception of a snow-white patch on the centre of each wing; bill black; irides and feet red. The Plate represents an adult and a young bird of the natural size. P . ‘* - s (rid. Sh? oF Pi eywean TT. “*s , ie “ 1S ae writ vitor dnl, bankgit fa ‘prphat faealng rte ahakea’> lid [neptonbreg 218 al tile oe ol ZiohL goon a to renin ods ‘La, at i guld ihed-< puri, dagae'to aniews jie de eins rf qeprnounpy 7D Ng wanuasy (umzyy svie dat Baty “MOV LY aD) ‘pepaeg a9 p Py ronuoag uo wp acroragy nueagl usioriyy Genus ALCA. Gen. Cuar. Beak straight, arched, large, very much curved at the point; both mandibles laterally sulcated, and covered for half their length with short feathers. Nostrils near the lower edge of the upper mandible partly concealed by feathers. Wings short, narrow, and in one species unequal to the purpose of flight. Legs short, situated far backwards. Toes three before, webbed as far as the claws; hind toe wanting; front of the tarsi and toes scutellated. Taz short, pointed, and consisting of twelve or sixteen feathers. GREAT AUK. Alca impennis, Lenn. Le Pingouin brachiptere. In this noble species of Auk we recognise a close approximation to the true Penguins, which form the genus Aptenodytes : being, like them, destitute of the powers of flight, its narrow slender wing serves more as an oar for aquatic progression than for any other decided purpose ; unless, perhaps, in assisting the bird to scramble up the rocks, on the ledges of which it deposits its single egg, which is, indeed, the only time at which it makes the solid earth its abode. The seas of the polar regions, agitated with storms and covered with immense icebergs, form the congenial habitat of the Great Auk: here it may be said to pass the whole of its existence, braving the severest winters with the utmost impunity, so that it is only occasionally seen, and that at distant intervals, even so far south as the seas adjacent to the northernmost parts of the British Islands. It is found in abundance along the rugged coasts of Labrador; and from the circumstance of its having been seen at Spitzbergen, we may reasonably conclude that its range is extended throughout the whole of the arctic circle, where it may often be seen tranquilly reposing on masses of floating ice, to the neighbourhood of which in the open ocean it seems to give a decided preference. Like the common Razorbilled Auk, it exhibits an-annual change in the colours of its throat and neck, the jet black of these parts giving way to white in winter. Deficient as the Great Auk may be in the powers of flight and of easy unconstrained progression on the land, these deficien- cies are amply compensated by its extraordinary capability of diving and its express adaptation to the watery element: here it is truly at ease, following its prey and sporting in the midst of the waves. Its food consists exclusively of fish of various species, which, however rapid they may be in their motions, it captures with the utmost facility. Its single egg is deposited on the naked rock, either in some natural fissure or crevice just above the reach of the highest tides ; its colour white tinged with buff, marked with spots and crooked lines of brownish black. The young take to the water immediately after exclusion from the egg, and follow the adults with fearless confidence. There exists but little or no difference between the size or plumage of the sexes. In summer the whole of the upper surface is black, with the exception of a large white space before the eyes and the tips of the secondary quill-feathers ; the whole of the under surface white ; bill and legs black, the former being marked with oblique transverse furrows of a lighter tint. The Plate represents an adult in its summer dress about two thirds of the natural size. | cap ig ; Lg nity “> “70 GLEN, HE abate aig he’ =, qamiar (pf {el yi, WE ah erkh darent tdci ie ped In ive fin al big) Ue ! t af, " ne ae * y AZOR-BillLL AUK. Alea Torda; (Azmm/ Drawn from Nadare & aw Stone ty 7 & E. Couid: Lrinted by C udomnareded. RAZOR-BILLED AUK. Alca torda, _Lann. Le Pingoin macroptere. Tur habits and manners of the Razor-bill so closely approximate to those of the Common Guillemot (Uria Trove, Linn.), that the same description equally applies to both; to enter into them fully would therefore be only repeating what we have said in our account of the last-mentioned bird: like it, the Razor-bill inhabits the wide expanse of the ocean, the severities of which it braves with the utmost indifference ; indeed it appears to rejoice in the agitation of the billows, that brings around it multitudes of small fish, which constitute its only support ; like it, the Razor-bill, when called upon by the impulse of nature to the great work of incubation, seeks the inaccessible cliffs round the coasts of our island, on which it assembles in immense flocks, to deposit each its single egg on the barren ledges of the rock; and so often do the eggs of the two species resemble each other, that they are scarcely to be distinguished except by a practical observer: that of the Razor-bill is somewhat less, and generally has neither the grotesque marking nor the deep green colour which characterize the greater portion of the eggs of the Guillemot. The Razor-bill is very generally distributed throughout the seas of the arctic circle, a portion of the globe of which it is more especially a native; never, we believe, extending its migrations beyond the temperate latitudes of Europe in the Old World, and the southern portions of the United States in the New. In point of numbers the Razor-bill does not appear to equal its ally, if we may judge by what is to be observed along our own shores: the Guillemots literally swarm during the breeding-season on most of the rocky shores not only of our island but of the northern portions of the Continent in general. The dissimilarity which exists in the beak of the young from that of the fully adult Razor-bill has been the source of no little confusion, and has given rise among ornithologists to synonyms which were erroneously bestowed as specific titles on the young of the year, before the bird had been duly developed, a circumstance which does not take place until the second year: this mistake was further strengthened by the total absence of the white line between the eye and the beak, in birds whose size is equal to that of adults. It is, however, a singular fact, that when just excluded from the egg, this white line is strikingly apparent on the down with which they are then clothed; but with the acquisition of the feathers, this white line disappears, and is regained with the stripes on the upper mandible towards the close of the second year. During winter the adults of both sexes lose the dusky colouring of the throat precisely in the same manner as the Guillemot. At this period the old and young closely resemble each other in plumage, and are only to be distinguished by the character of the beak. The sexes are alike in colouring. The whole of the upper surface and the throat is of a deep sooty black; a distinct white band crosses the wing, and a white line passes from the upper part of the bill to the eye; the remainder of the plumage is white; the bill is black, the upper mandible marked with deep transverse furrows and a clear white band ; feet and tarsi brownish black. Our Plate represents an adult and a young of the year, of the natural size. ' peat f': if tr % Drown ufromLife & ow Stone by] £. Goudd. LITTLE AUK. Alca alle; (Zzmm-/ Mergulus alle; /Zon./. Lrnted by C Hillmanded Genus MERGULUS. Gren. Cuar. Beak medial, its base furnished with downy feathers, somewhat thickened, above convex, emarginate towards the tip, curved. Nostri/s rounded, half-covered with feathers. Legs short, three-toed, webbed. Wings short. LITTLE AUK. Alca alle, Zann. Mereulus alle, Bor. to) 2 Tis interesting little oceanic bird, which we have illustrated in the accompanying Plate, inhabits the inter- mediate countries extending northwards from our latitude to the borders of perpetual ice, occurring equally in the polar regions of both continents. In these severe and high latitudes, it congregates in almost innumer- able flocks. Their numbers are often diminished by the crews of vessels, as well as by the native Esquimaux ; their flesh being considered both wholesome and delicate, at the same time affording a beneficial change of diet. They are said to be very tame and easily captured,—a circumstance readily accounted for, as the persons engaged in the whale fisheries, and the limited race of natives inhabiting the borders of these seas, are the only human beings they are ever disturbed by. In these wild and almost impenetrable regions, the Little Auk, it will be observed, finds an almost secure asylum and breeding-place, as well as an element congenial to its habits and mode of life; and it is only from extreme necessity, chiefly from the severities of winter, that it seeks, for a short period, an asylum in more temperate climes. Its visits to the British Isles, and Europe in general, therefore, must be considered more as an accidental occurrence than a periodical migration. Young birds are, as is the case with the young of most species, found to wander furthest from their native habitat ; the examples, therefore, we obtain, as well as those from Holland, France, and Germany, average about ten young birds to one adult. We have been particular in our inquiries as to whether the Little Auk breeds in any of the northern Isles, being induced to believe so from the circumstance of a specimen now and then coming to hand in the season of incubation, and in its mature state of plumage: we have not, however, been able to collect any certain data by which to set the question positively at rest ; and it yet remains for some zealous naturalist to supply the information. Like the rest of its family, the Little Auk passes a great portion of time on the ocean, where it sports with great ease and fearless self-possession, feeding upon marine insects, small crustacea and fishes, diving for its prey with great celerity and adroitness. Although the sexes offer little or no external difference, still the plumage undergoes con- siderable changes periodically, which we have illustrated in our Plate. ‘The bird represented in the drawing with a black throat, is in its summer plumage; at this season, the whole of the head, neck and upper surface being black, with the exception of a white band across the secondaries ; the scapulars are bordered with the same, and a small spot of white also appears over each eye ; the breast and under surface pure white. In the winter plumage, as well as in the young of the year, the throat, like the rest of the under surface, is pure white; beak black ; legs and feet of a brownish yellow. The egg of this species is 1 inch 7 lines long by 1 inch 1 line wide, of a uniform pale blue, very similar in colour to the eggs of the Starling. We have figured the birds of their natural size, in summer and winter plumage. Pane a } i be anes ie Ne aod. hodatanth Invention (aoieal Yaron, dnp ane iinet ‘jaa ali ‘dnibrottr 4 Ayan. tae : : er ditne Notoves Dad “telaiern ake Toe: te evden gee alt abyidtieot abana eyyeetiats 29704 i ei deka ila cca fisetel ay Saos-sevvels hts anh £ my i : J : é ae a7, : x ‘i 2 st , Sree . . ‘ at py ‘ mate b ii yh¥ : ‘ \ ‘en * ; : Heh j MR ORS A EEE ey ae Mere ee rey GEE WI ayriaie am EF ; . hind kpnteag’ oor haha to webiwd suv of shateial ae. qe deter sis Wine rite stailom |, yretristitd dabretis gk aoteaorados dt aafudttal thaid Hi, sision sue wes ifaesy dik Th eee = onl Bebe : * ' 7 . ‘ Be F ' . 4 r a4 ; ae i : gi eee Bee iss : #4 ine) : PE ae fies 1STMELY | HS ie’ STSe Bint tah rh fan) Bay » ferixiboaeanl: ss wall Gate ( diod: Barish hina pat desil i oa a . Rowse ne ex ed fistmioasa’s P sonitauvdy 5 boinkpes gene het onmt 25 ad 6 hina i vod 13 ECO OP ER 2G NaS Tey. eta ean $44 Hise Ta e0G4 rely thy ausigrary Oe iz aul itt eietinselt me Pee Phare pile A MM HALE eS nT tT) yo Ke: Oty Von reniad cnet : ' 7 14 Pane cy ane eb ped we RE ue it OPP .aprerk ates re prin tocsdenh yy bern hij tt, ae yf} al a « t i Cee after ab FP tae: ¢ ob he sety Laity ejicludd ett of bnigrray Heian ie way Her eg aidy-amnbarid bare inal gang re, cs. No SSeS BE | i : if}: sue ott sponse ae ef hi dey Seek Gob tedos a tau rooted) fees ei if bY bbidtl shad attebe al. stile Sagat : fice ee chk Chee: a7 fF ag eat. aie bod). aensrgiine deihormny a yaeds: Sosa itushioon fl i ie i ACHE pass ne ee we VET ge Wa risit} “h VRP OT, LOA Ob bine nbviga © ' ave tera ih eter dott +05 seth ; Veet, El foe esemcert ped Tae Sourav ‘hattol sereyit ; , bore poet ait of TE Ui db cave cf (oe OLE By, ehisd ate alee: a fi od bed ont) waiiodi' GY es aiuiapatt Th ie FPeres ses TC Gh BOL 3 4 a r Wha Fi beet oO UAL SRERNSD ily FSEINY ERE COMES Pt i Yo sonmteutusni ¢ alt - 3 a hokdte vd dels pint it idallod, of oly aaod 39% A dick send. aw 24 > rgaeauly bo. oigta: ‘i me Phau ee BAY ¢ th Sektude stir ih rluipiete ond Neral Teter Mey iat ye Oy ie Rens enieay in¢ fbi $f ‘Steet iss vlovidizang:. vie beatin | yi itt fi sche anado. Slt: atk getty Uy neers aye inom, 8 eoeany Auk, alti todd elie, : 3 VEO a Lee OSE: BE eG ‘pail -agadt fens ntores. Lata! tad maith Ret Uh Thee gitih hast. j woiacrraen tsa > “SAN Ute edie any mahi -sraueteulee abe: Bits. soioishih: Markie dais Binet lb ws sit} hawodsthi: ne-nndionbs bu wend dt ab byiqoesvia buted lawl awe at hatadeulli arad +0 dante: cllasihertnng ergugil> FN aan : ree tlhe Te a Spee Aye oi ak oclh, xy planer adt \acieod! vit Ses. ¢ Dyammarishe Soran wt ft ii dnoritt doold a ditto 4 Wai Ce, bonabrtod sy midgaga sf; oyalmooie: ots aol Behe fe G) doitqsoxa od dive Aosld gaint denture. bes fie densi oth: hed dees 1648 Range eo abis stichen We ing? Nemes hes Mage aly. ; ee spa Pee) i ; cot ul [ lo diove ond anil etd ad lt to gentde ocd tt 4a Mower 20. asi: curly penuh : ; iby ¢ dulqaond: 4 46 tosit fiat anal ; donld dead | Lie ae #5 2 inlet ; ih vilate omotionta te shive anit: dict § t ana oi X dint £ € aaiceoga 4 ile He vi Jom oar Pas ipdene at a i «iit sid i) oy ud a Pog 9 7 PUFFIN. Mormon Fratercula ,/7enmum/ Dravm trom L Binted by CHudinantd. Genus MORMON, Tem. Gen. Cuan. Beak shorter than the head, of greater depth than length, and very compressed ; both mandibles arched, furrowed, and notched at the point, the edge of the upper one acute and elevated at its origin. Nostrils lateral, marginal, linear, naked, almost wholly closed by a naked membrane. Tarsi short, retiring. Feet palmated. Toes three before only, the two inner nails much hooked. Wings short ; first and second guzll-feathers equal, or nearly so. PUFFIN. Mormon Fratercula, Temm. Le Macareux moine. Wuenever Nature appears to indulge in excentricity in the modification of those organs which are essential to existence, we are not to suppose,—because we cannot follow her through all her mysteries, or discover the motive,—that she ever acts a blind or random part, and the more inclined shall we be to come to this decision, the more closely we examine her operations. We make these remarks, because in the singular construction of the bill of this bird we are at a loss to account for this deviation from the forms which we see possessed by birds whose food and manners are altogether the same. On a first glance at the Puffin, we cannot fail to be struck by the short and inelegant contour of its figure, and by the strange shape but brilliant colour of its beak, which imparts a singular aspect to the physiognomy of this inhabitant of the ocean; where, as if to belie its round and awkward figure, it displays great agility and an arrow-like quickness of motion ;—its beak, deep, compressed, and pointed with a sharp ridge and keel, affords the beau ideal of an instrument for cutting through the water,—a circumstance the more necessary when considered in connexion with a form of body by no means so well adapted for diving with ease and vigour as is possessed by many others. The feathers however are thick, close and smooth, so completely throwing off every particle of water as to render it impossible that the plumage can be wetted. Independent of the use of the beak as a water-cutting instrument, it is a weapon of destruction to innumerable hordes of fry and smaller fishes which swim near the surface of the water. These, at least during the breeding season, are retained by dexterous management between the mandibles, till a row of little pendent victims is arranged along each side, their heads firmly wedged in the beak, and their tails and bodies hanging outside. Thus loaded, as we have frequently ourselves witnessed, the Puffin flies home to its mate or newly hatched offspring. ‘The young, however, are themselves very soon ready for the water, where, long before they are capable of flight, they may be seen in company with their parents diving and sporting on their congenial element. The old birds evince great regard for their young, attending them with assiduity and manifesting the utmost anxiety on the approach of danger. The Puffin has an extensive range, abounding at the season of incubation on the rocky parts of our coasts, especially the high cliffs and pointed rocks of the Isle of Wight, the rugged and precipitous coast of Wales, Scotland, the Orkneys and Hebrides, as well as on the northern shores of the European and American Conti- nents. It does not however invariably resort to crevices and ledges of rocks, but is known occasionally, during the breeding season, to inhabit deserted rabbit-burrows, or other holes in the ground adjacent to the sea, within which, without constructing any nest, it deposits one or two eggs of a uniform dull white. The young when hatched are covered with long and fine down of a sooty black: their bill, as might be expected, is not so fully developed either as to size or colour, nevertheless it bears the characteristic peculiarity so striking in the adult bird ; the sides also of the mandibles do not possess the deep furrows which appear at more advanced age. As they grow up, the general plumage assimilates to that of the adult, but is more obscure in its mark- ings. The adult birds present no external sexual differences, the colour of the whole of the upper surface being of a dark brown, inclining to black with coppery reflections ; a collar of the same colour passing round the neck ; the cheeks white, shaded towards the lower parts with delicate gray; the whole of the under surface white ; the bill blueish ash at its base passing off to a bright reddish orange, with three oblique furrows on the upper and two on the lower mandible ; the gape covered by a naked puckered membrane ; irides blueish gray ; rim round the eye orange ; above and below the eye, on the edges of the eyelids, are small bodies of a horny consistence and a deep slate-colour, that below the eye being narrow and two lines in length; their use is not known; legs orange. Total length eleven to twelve inches. Their food consists of fishes and marine insects. Our Plate represents a male and female in different positions, to exhibit the peculiar character of their physiognomy. rey —z NORTHERN PUFFIN. Mormon glacialis,; (Leach/ Drown prom Maiwrek on Stone ty JEL, Coad: Printed by C Faltimande, NORTHERN PUFFIN. Mormon glacialis, Leach. Le Macareux glacial. To a superficial observer the Mormon glacials would appear to present but little difference from the common species, so plentiful during the breeding-season on many of the rocky coasts of our island; but on a compa- rison of the two species we feel convinced that our readers will coincide in our opinion, of their being speci- fically distinct. Its larger size and more powerful bill, which is of a uniform rich orange colour, together with the greater length of the fleshy appendages over the eyes, will at once serve to distinguish this species from its near ally the Mormon fratercula. The Northern Puffin, as its name implies, is almost strictly confined to the ice-bound regions of the arctic circle, over the whole of which we have reason to believe it is distributed, numerous specimens having been from time to time brought home from Spitzbergen and Kamtschatka by our navigators on their return from exploring the boreal regions. ) It occurs but rarely in the temperate latitudes, hence both the coasts of America and Europe are only oc- casionally visited by it; the northern shores of Russia, Lapland, &c. being among the only places in our quarter of the globe where it may be looked for with certainty. The sexes do not appear to differ in the colouring of their plumage, which may be thus described : Crown of the head and occiput light brownish grey tinged with lilac ; collar surrounding the neck, all the upper surface, wings, and tail brownish black tinged with blue; primaries blackish brown very slightly margined with paler brown ; sides of the face and all the under surface white ; bill bright orange red ; corrugated skin at the angle of the mouth gamboge yellow ; irides orange red ; irides and horny appendages grey ; legs and feet orange with the webs paler and the claws yellowish brown. We have figured an adult of the natural size. is * i‘ ‘ , j Wane 3 q 3 A wt wes aa eee } hs 0 OF pea A DP i a, nih EY stevia Tees cyesliy ph paiaee eighties : } fi ‘ ; ‘ wy ie P| i + J i < I BS : L é ‘ '" 5 ai 7 7 ea, : | i . - oP | i’ = : ¥ uJ i" i * } J (e f ‘ ; it? “i 4 : , fs . : ’ , 7 : . 4 ’ ‘ \ ys ° ' 1 ‘ ’ ‘ . . 2 44 im wy j Oey thy iL; ran ta : Ie j 1 bat . eat | - ; 7 . ‘ vif - : + - r is ( é ; . eo ee eR ee A YT a ee as : if, j us j iit i aE (I hs hey 7 Lie ag i tt PEL hid rie 4h 7 ; - i : ; 7 F : yt ii ie) ay i : Pe f gel : Pees ey rs 1 | Ae 4 a “ils i” t+ rT ve a hr 4 p “aflevrenip yi ; 7 . - Var L ea Gah eh ily. LE) : Sy q Fa, eM olilrles Gee” mag eS ayey ; is 7 6 . 1 r 7 L. d ; pal * k \ m ; , _ " _ Z ee 5 ; : m4 hf fh. sree (re Eth! Pall wae cV.dvar WiPaiie Sale iis #0052. red Dae i ., . ¢ ‘5 ae Pierar | Tae _ a ee oe Pn ee rs eet i*/ Aiea ae tieg » “4 Tier Th be ane) ariel: gui & Pee os Cee ey x > hee aan ! Bogie wove tat i Lt e id ont Teepe” 5 sia a 2 1 7h3: & iuivigus GO : ea LILURE TED -@ ua then By Vink? Gre ne i" bay! edit wr hice ee ‘ - u + ° ' . , 4 ba 7 ba ry," we ; al ay - cy nl 4 f Whee Ue ‘ iY , : it A: vel A OUTTA eT. ui bees GF +t te Vi alee a ie evn wha itt. ie s ; , ee Rites ae Poe >. ot , ty purlas SURES YW TATE aha Rabie: tvas yuri) MBE Ss Were Aa ila Oly ig dey fay sae Bilt, te, ea ton dametige pnee a Le bald tyed i wl ae nd f Pie apie weil,* me > oe . tie bE in iit of Pia, Lobe aie Sevag #ldieh oa Genus PELECANUS. Gen. Cuar. Beak longer than the head, long, straight, broad, much depressed; the upper mandible channelled, the tip bent down and unguiculated ; the lower bifurcate, furnished with a flaccid dilatable sac. Face and throat naked. -Nostrils basal, placed in a longitu- dinal cleft. Legs strong, short; the tibize naked at the base; the middle claw with its inner edge entire. PELICAN. Pelecanus Onocrotalus, Linn. Le Pélican blane. Tuose of our readers who are desirous of seeing this noble bird in a state of nature need only pay a visit to the southern and eastern portions of Europe to gratify their laudable curiosity. Although the tropical cli- mates of Africa and India constitute its natural habitat, nevertheless the eastern rivers of Europe, such as the Danube and Volga, the extensive lakes of Hungary and Russia, and the shores of the Mediterranean, are places in which it dwells in abundance. It is a species strictly confined to the Old World, over a great portion of which it is plentifully distributed. M.'Temminck, who quotes the Pelecanus Philippensis as synonymous with this bird, states that individuals sent him from Egypt and South Africa do not differ from those taken in Europe. The Pelecanus Onocrotalus is a very large species, measuring nearly five feet in length, and from tip to tip of the wings, when spread, about twelve or thirteen feet, and is remarkable both for longevity and for the long period requisite for the completion of its plumage. The first year’s dress is wholly brown ; the feathers of the back and breast being broad and rounded. The assumption of the lanceolate feathers, and the rosy tints that pervade the plumage of the adults are only acquired as the bird advances in age ; and, judging from individuals which we have opportunities of noticing in a state of partial confinement, it would appear that a lapse of five or six years is required before it may be considered fully mature. The food of the Pelican is fish of all kinds, in the capture of which it displays considerable activity and cun- ning; and, although its robust body and immense bill would seem to contradict the assertion, its motions are so quick that. even young fry and eels can scarcely escape its vigilance. ‘The same power that renders it so light and buoyant on the water denies it the means of diving, consequently it is only the small and shallow inlets of rivers that are resorted to when in search of its food. Occasionally, however, it will rise to a con- siderable height in the air, from whence, on perceiving a fish, it descends with astonishing swiftness and uner_ ring aim, the rapidity of its descent forcing it, beneath the surface, on which its extreme lightness causes it to reappear instantaneously. The female constructs a nest on the ground, of coarse reedy grass, generally about a foot and a half in diameter, and lined with soft grass, laying two or more egos, which are white, and like those of the Swan, During the period of incubation it is extremely assiduous in procuring food for its young, carrying it to them in the capacious pouch or gullet which forms so conspicuous a feature in this bird, and which is ‘‘ one of the most remarkable appendages that is found in the structure of any animal. Though it contracts nearly into the hollow of the jaws, and the sides to which itis attached are not (in a quiescent state) above an inch asun- der, it may be extended to an amazing capacity ; and when the bird has fished with success, its size is almost incredible : it will contain a man’s head with the greatest ease. In fishing, the Pelican fills this bag, and does not immediately swallow his prey ; but, when this is full, he returns to the shore to devour at leisure the fruits of his industry.” (Shaw’s General Zoology, vol. xii. Part I. p. 111.) . The Pelican bears confinement remarkably well, particularly if space sufficient be allowed for it to plume and wash itself. Fish either dead or alive are voraciously devoured ; and fish in plenty obtained, it appears content and satisfied. Although it possesses the power of perching on trees, yet it gives the preference to rocky shores, which appear to form the best and most natural situation when in a state of repose. On level ground its walk is awkward and inelegant, and when on wing its flight is heavy and apparently effected with great labour. Along the top of the upper mandible runs a line of crimson, the remainder being reddish at the base and yellowish at the tip; the under mandible pale red; the pouch reddish yellow; the naked spaces around the eyes are flesh colour ; the occiput is slightly crested ; the whole of the plumage is white, tinged more or less with salmon colour, with the exception of the crest and a few pendulous feathers attached to the lower part of the neck, which are pale yellow, and the primaries and spurious wings, which are black ; legs flesh colour ; claws grey ; irides hazel. The salmon-coloured tint which pervades the whole of the plumage is considerably heightened during the breeding-season. We have figured an adult male about one third of the natural size. . ; me ‘ “* iat ered ete} sali Yea * ; . ee, | . | pice aS a Re . ‘ ; ¥/ Liv gate rales hed neath - F ith Apart en aud eh: | : A ite gis ! ‘ hal * chy nda é f a fiat rt relly # F ‘ +e ¢ i £ vu es ‘i 4 re i} . ’ F \ oa Ch) Y ; ‘ Cpeea rtrd tivgtiy Tiara sabe ira a , ‘ ’ eid eey pa; A e ~ { Q ‘ I 1) a ; ; rid 1 , e - 6 : x ° - ‘ bik anc L » i , " . : ; i i ¥ ‘ yy q rn i ‘ i bd o ‘ - ’ Fy A ; it i ¥ . . ) : ; ¢ . ‘ F | Oe ‘ i ; | missy St liad pene , ) m i ? f tah 4et, quite De 4 Oh: DAE aes pte shee if . ; ' ‘ | f . aE S } i Teenie At: TRCE ate “ : R i: vd i ut. shes titi % F ry i i, Pet P ; +1 TEU - : f ' : ig Ree oe : Say ! ai na epadiuth ty ‘ ae re by! visoaraens Ppa at 8 orth wil i uth ih eyo i q ty i si bs aie BC si rs 1 Menirtistersen talk: ee bbda: Be aa hee fy ia Leal ie u® rons feateez a hia) ean > ihe hit? satis "Ft Ue Pe sift g ifs Ke { ¥ mite c 44 aspen ad} er DALMATIAN PELICAN. Pelecanus crispus, Fedd. A sirp of such striking magnitude as the present having so long escaped observation even on the shores of Europe, what may we not expect from those more distant countries to which the scrutinizing eye of the naturalist has seldom penetrated? Although this species has been introduced to the notice of the scientific within the last few years only, it has doubtless long abounded where it is now found. The specimen from which our figure is taken was sent us by Baron de Feldegg, and was one of twenty-four killed by him on the shores of Dalmatia. In the letter which accompanied this specimen the Baron thus writes: ‘‘The first example of this bird that came under my notice was shot by myself in the year 1828 in Dalmatia, and was sent to the Imperial Cabinet in Vienna. Two years after this, Messrs. Riippell and Kittlitz met with this species in Abyssinia, where, however, it would appear to be very scarce, as those gentlemen procured only a single specimen. In the year 1832 I published a description of it under the name of Pelecanus crispus. Many ornithologists are of opinion that there is only one species of Pelican in Europe, for which reason they have given it the specific name of onocrotalus, and they observe that the size which the bird attains is regulated by the temperature of the climate in which it resides. I possess examples of the true Pelecanus onocrotalus taken in Europe and at the Cape of Good Hope, which in all the more important points closely resemble each other; the tarsi, for instance, are of equal length, and the naked spaces round the eyes are of the same extent, while, on the contrary, one shot in Moldavia was much smaller. ‘The Pelecanus crispus has undoubtedly escaped notice in consequence of no other naturalist having seen both species together as I have in Dalmatia, where it arrives in spring and autumn, and where it gives preference to the neighbourhood of Fort Opus on the river Naranta, which is bordered with morasses. It comes through Bosnia, seldom alone, but generally in flocks; I have seen as many as twelve together hunting for fish: it is very cunning, and is extremely difficult to shoot. I obtained, at different times, as many as twenty-four examples.” The Pelecanus crispus differs from the Common Pelican in possessing a beautiful crest and mane of narrow, elongated, silky feathers ; in the naked space around the eye being smaller ; in the feathers of the breast being stiff, lanceolate, rounded at the points, and of a firm elastic texture ; in the body being more bulky and larger in all its proportions ; and in the tarsi being stouter, of a different colour, and considerably shorter. ‘At all seasons of the year old birds may be found both with and without the crest. I saw a specimen in M. Aker’s menagerie which had always had it, while a bird of the same species in another menagerie had none; in all other respects they were the same, and were very healthy; and I possess a female in which the ovaries were largely developed, and which has a large crest covering the whole of the head, which circumstance induces me to conclude that it is a very old bird.” Of its habits, manners, mode of nidification, &c. no details have been ascertained, but we may reasonably suppose that in all these particulars it closely resembles the other members of its family. ‘“‘ Naked space round the eyes reddish, towards the bill bluish; upper mandible grey, passing into blue and red; gular pouch or sack under the bill blood red intermingled with bluish; feet bluish grey; head furnished with a crest and thickly covered with feathers, which, with the whole of the upper and under surface, are silvery white ;” the tail is composed of twenty-two feathers, the shafts of which, with those of the scapularies and secondary wing-coverts, are black; primaries blackish brown; chest tinged with pale yellow. The young, which are very seldom seen, are wholly brownish grey, the feathers being much finer and closer in texture and more silky in appearance than in the adults. We cannot close our account of this splendid bird, one of the noblest of its race, without offering our warmest thanks to our esteemed friend the Baron de Feldegg for the very fine specimen of this bird he so obligingly sent us, as also for the very interesting communication transmitted with it, from which are ex- tracted the paragraphs in this paper included between inverted commas. The Plate represents an adult and a young bird about one fourth of the natural size. ' ‘ ane Yo mM ih Aa Ee ator St oe Fae - pee a rr NW QIIW OD Aa Genus PHALACROCORAX, Briss. Gen. Cuar. Beak generally longer than the head, straight, strong, hard, slightly compressed, having the upper mandible terminating in a powerful hook, and furrowed laterally from the base as far as the tip of the lower mandible, with the terminating nail distinct; its tip compressed and truncated; fomza of the lower mandible retracted. Nostrd/s basal, concealed. Face naked. Throat dilatable. Wings moderate, the second quill-feather the longest. Taz/ moderate, rounded, and composed of stiff elastic feathers. Legs placed far behind, short and strong. Feet of four toes, all connected by a membrane; outer toe the longest, the others gradually shortening to the hind one. Tars¢ reticulated; the upper part of the toes scutellated. COMMON CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax Carbo, Steph. Le Grand Cormoran. Our Plate illustrates this fine although common species in its nuptial dress, a style of plumage which it does not possess in a perfect state above one month out of the twelve, and the peculiarity of which state consists in the narrow white feathers which ornament the sides of the head and neck, together with an occipital crest _ of long slender black feathers down the back of the neck, and a patch of pure white on the outer side of each thigh. This conspicuous plumage, which is common to both sexes, is assumed about the latter end of February or the beginning of March, the period at which these birds commence the work of nidification, after which the white plumes, together with the white patch on the thighs, gradually disappear, these parts then becoming of a uniform blueish black. This peculiarity of plumage is only found in birds that have attained their third or fourth year, the immature dress up to that period being of a dull brown colour, while the young of the year have the under surface wholly white. ‘These remarkable and contrasted changes have induced the older naturalists to look upon individuals in the various stages of their existence as constituting so many distinct species; but further observation has fully proved their identity, the difference depending upon age and season. The Common Cormorant is equally and rather numerously distributed along the coasts of the British Islands, often resorting to inland lakes and rivers adjoining the sea, especially such as are not liable to be frozen during winter. They occasionally perch and roost on trees, towers, and rocky projections ; and although the summits and ledges of rocks overhanging the sea are the principal and favourite breeding-stations, still it is known to incubate occasionally in trees, and even upon the ground, as is the case in the Farn Islands, and the extensive reed-beds in Holland. The nest is usually composed of dried sea-weed, rudely put together, and often of a considerable thickness ; the eggs, generally three in number, are of a greenish white, covered with a chalky coating, and extremely small compared with the size of the bird. In swimming, the body of the Cormorant is nearly all emersed below the surface of the water, the tail serving as a very effectual rudder, by means of which it is able either to dive or turn in the most rapid and dexterous manner. Its food, as may naturally be supposed from its powers and structure, consists almost wholly of fish, which it takes by chasing beneath the surface, the dilatability of its throat enabling it to secure and swallow fish of comparatively large dimensions ; and we may easily conceive that the quantity it devours and the destruction it occasions in the shoals at various seasons of the year must be enormous, and injurious to the interests of the fishermen. Its distribution over Europe is in the same ratio as in the British Isles, and it is even more abundant on the rocky coasts of the north. oe The plumage of spring :—On the back of the head are long plumes, which form a crest of slender feathers of a deep glossy green ; on the throat extends a collar of pure white; on the top of the head, and on a great part of the neck and on the thighs, are long silky plumes of pure white; the feathers of the back and wings are of an ashy brown, bronzed in the middle with a broad edging of glossy greenish black ; quills and tail- feathers black, which is the general colour of the under surface ; beak dull white, clouded and transversely rayed with black ; naked skin of the face greenish yellow ; irides bright green ; tarsi black. In winter the top of the head, the neck, and thighs entirely lose the white plumes of spring, and are of the greenish black of the rest of the under surface. The young have the top of the head and upper surface deep brown, with greenish reflections ; the whole of the under surface white, more or less clouded with brown according to age. Our Plate represents an adult male in the spring plumage, and a young bird of the year, three fourths of the natural size. TPA a Se i ie) > a ea) ath t — é x R a eae fs “vs away ily ePNTey DY aty Posse veces mar a P| 7 a en -wiseadeel Saieilist sébe: 1ofan f tities? FR watt! Jib wh Pei i se eles ' nai ii DP ijtphe fil i) STILT Si Be Of a — Ome Teck | y fy) aro) Vilar Lad “aes a e bai a] A + P sere iti oe sel Mea al i be Hy ¢ a Ngan Not 1 vied of a ht oe site “Ta wil , ‘ . 4 j j fb, A uh if) alt art ; “geet x att ; ry ‘nh eens a - ae A ey shi) fom) noaay Ald rates ily FU ey fale als » | 4 d ! near i ify pel nr af vitae viii Ope ned aiait lr ha oh ae etree PE al + the xi iM) fe al a i tn< a ie ns Vr L277 YER Y + smypey sia “XE1O9 O10] EY lai LNVUOWM OD Nas Wo OVS SHAG or GREEN CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax cristatus, Steph. and Flem. Le Cormoran largup. Tux present species is rather abundantly distributed throughout the rocky and precipitous shores of the British Islands ; indeed it is yet a question whether it does not exceed in number the larger species, Phalacro- coraw Carbo, with which it associates, particularly during the breeding season, but from which it may easily be distinguished, as also from all the other Cormorants, by the intense green of its body, and, during the season of incubation, by the elegant flowing semi-erect crest, and by the absence at this period of the delicate white markings on the sides of the neck and thighs, so conspicuous in the other species of the genus. The crest is only assumed during the season of reproduction, and is not found at all in birds of the first and second year. When fully adult, the sexes offer no difference in their external characters. In habits and manners they strictly resemble the Cormorant: like that bird, they may be observed going from their craggy haunts early in the morning, either out to sea or up the large rivers in quest of their prey, and regularly returning in small companies on the approach of sunset ; thus strongly reminding one, in these particulars, of the habits of the Rook, which almost every person must have observed going out in the morning, and returning in the evening to its accustomed roosting-place. The Shag is widely distributed over all the northern portions of Europe, and as far southward as the shores of the Mediterranean. Its powers of flight are very great; but not more remarkable than its powers of diving and continuance beneath the surface, where it makes its progress by repeated strokes of the pinions aided by its broadly webbed feet: in this way it easily secures its prey, often fish of large dimensions, for the carrying of which its dilatable throat is well adapted. The site chosen for incubation is the topmost ledge of some bold precipice, where, secure from the interruption of man, it constructs a nest of dried sea-weed for the reception of its eggs, which are two, three, or four in number, of an oblong shape and a white colour, with a rough calcareous surface. When first excluded from the egg, the young are quite naked, but quickly become covered with thick black down, which remains a considerable time before it is succeeded by the regular feathers. The adults have the whole of the head, neck, centre of the back, and under surface fine dark green ; the scapularies and wings bronze green, each feather being bordered by a narrow band of velvet black ; quills and tail black; bill blackish horn colour ; angles of the mouth, skin round the eyes and gular pouch fine yellow ; feet black ; irides green. The young of the year is distinguished by the whole of the upper part of the plumage being brown, slightly tinted with green ; and the under surface brownish ash, more or less inclining to white. The Plate represents an adult in the summer plumage, and the young of the year, about three fourths of their natural size. ' Perea Daas ok . os ae Ke ; eet oe er ae — ‘ és ran : fi 3 a ‘ ass 4 a oe ) Wyrrec Ne [ ; ey bt tea iets Seihetiees i mies E* r ola u APTA Ee WIN Ha gtatetes Ti) Maar Heyy 2h 8 | ne roy athe | ae pay : Jc ‘|, i with th Salou { olfanip eve ml Ic eee : Mutelel desttl ; x Ou ’ Hr Gua ' Yr Cre Pp Tah Teton eaahiaeens ti ia ane AWS: $0409 ‘ es ‘. me Pee as isis PERL wba agili HE my alss Ate. AKC A weth oe. iv F ‘ ; f - , - i reece Sane ) ; i te ered futh:a) te amt Ay * ' t hay . t . i i } ie ar 2} iM * Hit td f BOY f or ae #4 isthe yard +fiRinepeciOs Shae: aT is ) for \ihoatl ett 16 a) if rhe r ’" rf “ft? ; F j ss & ue le ‘a eoiurtial , ‘See Tee fas Bisa To ts A Ee A a | ).0 tein ieee Ans ; ba led Soe ae shina a valintay oa E a aes te nds) sloom -boodt od! fo olaihee seen alt a at shy erport. faacbenetls itd. . ‘ide eer a Viti ‘ fo “ ce ey . 2ebrte ys doe dd byl ect Ct : i oat. Ghalw ans ¥a boilainadeieily akin rf ott Ie. satiorg sat a ‘ rea tay detiewol saga pers ft bum -¢ ear: aie hajuis a cs i | ree ay wonaiae oily ai ‘aha ii eit: jess ‘ot tt i. | xis Tape aie ‘ 4 id uy Das - } oti’ ty 4 7 ta UQSIIBULSS Gi XBIOO OIIETB Ud “LNW UOWWOO S,.LS TVA Sag DESMAREST’S CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax Desmarestii. Le Cormoran de Desmarest. Tux present bird is a native of the rocky shores of the eastern parts of Europe, or more properly speaking of the shores of the Black Sea and its tributary streams, and in these localities would appear to represent our common Shag, a species to which it very closely approximates both in size and general appearance, but on a comparison of the two birds from these different localities, no doubt can exist as to their being specifically distinct. The present bird, although not inferior in the size of its body, is decidedly superior in the length of the wing, while it possesses a much longer and more attenuated bill. Our specimens were received from M. Temminck, but no account of its habits and manners has been transmitted to us; we have, however, every reason to believe them to be the same as those of our native species. The head, which is slightly crested, and the neck are greenish black ; the whole of the upper surface green, each feather having a narrow margin of jet black ; rump glossy greenish black ; abdomen sooty black tinged with green ; naked space at the back of the bill rich orange; bill yellowish horn colour; primaries, tail, and feet black. We have figured an adult of the natural size. Sh Serie enki, VIE TASES ait o2dtt). eo oti: oft ot oF den oroiid ok ubeRan riers CG dlagsareg ra toe adi hia betiona eit aiia ar doaty Inorl oh (lo ciuhe worn a dni ae ies toe a Loh Y aren eth a to Ws8d okt ta sonqa hoe 18 titi houyant ‘ sais -— 7 e — CPM Jemespeg CTS — a — “WL AN NV) NW TOS Genus SULA. g, the point, with the dertrum slightly convex; mandibles equal; the upper one laterally sulcated from the base to the tip, and with a hinge near the posterior part, making it appear as if composed of five separate pieces ; culmen rounded; lower mandible having the angle rather prominent, gently ascending to the tip; chin-angle narrow and long, filled with a naked dilatable skin; face naked ; tomia intracted, obliquely and unequally serrated. Nostrz/s basal, concealed from view. Wings long and acuminate. Tail graduated. Legs abdominal. Tarst short. Feet of four toes, all connected by amembrane; the middle and outer toes of nearly equal length; middle claw having its inner edge dilated and toothed. Guy. Cuar. Bill longer than the head, thick, strong, straight, acuminate, compressed towards SOLAN GANNET. Sula Bassana, Briss. La Fou blane ou de Bassan. Tuer seas bordering the European shores are the natural habitat of the Solan Gannet, and nowhere is it more common during summer than on the rugged and precipitous coasts of Scotland, especially the Bass Rock, the isles of Ailsa, St. Kilda, &c., where they breed in vast multitudes: these situations, in fact, appear to be the principal nursery for this race. On the approach of autumn they leave their rocky breeding-places, and go further out to sea, the greater number passing considerably to the south, feeding on herrings, pilchards, and other fishes. Being destitute of the power of diving, they seize their prey by a vertical plunge when within a certain distance, and so forcible is their descent, that we are informed of instances in which they have killed themselves, by darting at fish attached to a board, connected by a rope fifty or sixty yards in length to a vessel at anchor, the neck being either dislocated or the bill driven firmly into the wood. The flight of the Gannet is extremely rapid, vigorous, and capable of being long sustained ; hence it traverses the wide surface of the ocean with comparative ease. Although in the breeding-season the Gannets congregate in such countless multitudes, it seldom happens that they are found in flocks out at sea, but mostly alone, dispersed apparently in search of food. On the approach of spring they return to their accustomed rendezvous, which is generally preserved from molestation and farmed by persons who make a profit of the feathers and the young birds, their flesh being considered by some a delicacy, though to most persons its oily and fishy flavour renders it extremely disagreeable. While sitting on their nest, which is composed of sea-weed and other similar materials, they are so absorbed in the task of incubation, that they will sometimes permit themselves to be approached, and even handled, without quitting it: they lay but a single white egg, which in size is between those of a Cormo- rant and a Common Goose. From the time it is hatched till it arrives at maturity, no bird undergoes a more marked change in the colouring of its plumage. Mr. Selby was informed by two persons who rent the Bass Rock that the Gannet is four years in attaining a permanent state of plumage, and until this period has elapsed it is not known to breed. The first year’s plumage is characterized by the head, neck, and all the upper surface being blackish grey, inclining to brown, each feather tipped with a triangular spot of white ; the breast and under surface white, each feather being edged with greyish black ; the quills and tail greyish black, the shafts of the latter being white ; the bill blackish grey tinged with brown; the irides pale brown; the legs and feet deep grey. The second year’s, by the head and greater part of the neck being white, more or less spotted with blackish grey; the upper surface of a nearly uniform brown, the white spots on the tips of the feathers becoming less distinct or entirely disappearing ; and by the under surface becoming whiter. The third year’s, by the white increasing all over the body; the scapulars and tertials remaining black or spotted with blackish ; grey. The fourth year’s, or fully adult plumage, is characterized by the crown of the head, occiput, and upper part of the neck being pale yellow; all the remaining plumage pure white, with the exception of the quills and bastard wing, which are black ; bill bluish grey, fading into white at the tip; naked skin round the eyes greyish blue; membrane at the gape and beneath the throat black ; irides pale yellow; streak down the front of the tarsi and toes bluish green; webs blackish grey; claws greyish white. The Plate represents a fully adult bird, and a young one of the first year, about three fourths of the natural size. a AON] (nud 7 } “BATE |: ea BUS WNNVD Gath MOV Ta AIA os ° SSM biie a BLACK-TAILED GANNET. Sula melanura, Temm. We are indebted to the kindness of M. Temminck for the loan of the fine specimen of this bird from which the accompanying figure was taken, and which he informed us was killed in Iceland. In every respect, except in having a black tail, it resembles the Solan Gannet, Suda Bassana, which bird when fully adult has a white tail. Whether this difference be an accidental variation, or if not, whether the difference is of sufficient importance to justify a specific distinction, we are unable satisfactorily to decide. M.Temminck regards it, we believe, as a true species, and as such we publish it, leaving the question still open for further investigation: at all events it will not be destitute of interest to the scientific naturalist. It may perhaps be said that as the Gan- nets change from almost black to white in passing from youth to maturity, this bird exhibits an intermediate state of plumage, the original black colouring still remaining on the tail : there can be no doubt, however, that the bird was fully adult, and we may remark that the first change that occurs in the plumage of the young shows a disposition in all parts to approach towards the colouring of the adults; it is therefore unlikely that the tail should be even of a deeper black than that of the young Gannet, while the rest of the plumage is that of complete maturity. . The figure is about three fourths of the natural size. eee OO | 7 Paprunouapayn hy prague pyeg Ty 7 hy Pune uo y BLY? moss Una T (uuy) ‘vidse) BUIO}C © “NWA NVIdSvo 7 : > ristormersemens erent - Genus STERNA, Linn. Gen. Cuar. Bill as long or longer than the head, nearly straight, compressed, drawn to a fine point, with both mandibles of equal length, and the upper slightly convex; tomia rather intracted and sharp-edged; lower mandible having a prominent angle near its middle part. Nostrals basal, lateral, linear, oblong, pervious. Wings very long, acumi- nate, the first quill-feather the longest. Taz more or less forked. Legs having the tibice naked for a short space above the tarsal joint. Tarsi short. Feet of four toes, three before, one behind; the three former united by a membrane more or less scalloped, the hind toe small and free. Claws arched and sharp. CASPIAN TERN. Sterna Caspia, Pall. L'Hirondelle de Mer Tschegrava. Tus large and powerful species is dispersed over the northern shores of Africa, the eastern portion of Asia, and all the temperate parts of Europe, where it appears to evince a partiality to inland seas rather than to the wide ocean, and hence we find it most abundant in the Mediterranean, Black, and Caspian Seas, from the latter of which it takes its name. Of its visits to the shores of Great Britain the instances are but few, and at no regular or definite periods. In size this noble bird is not exceeded by any other member of its race: it is even larger than many of the Gulls, from which tribe the Terns differ much in their structure, and are moreover destined to fill a very different station in the scheme of creation. Its food consists of fish, crustacea, mollusca, &c. The sexes of the Caspian Tern offer no external difference in the colouring of the plumage, but the crown of the head, which is white in winter, becomes on the approach of spring of a deep rich and glossy black, which change is common to both sexes. The nest is merely a hollow scraped in the sand or shingle; the eggs are four in number, and we have ourselves received them from the small shingly islands at the mouth of the Baltic, which, from the numerous specimens we have seen from that locality, we conceive must form one of the stations to which the Caspian Tern resorts in great numbers for the purpose of breeding: it doubtless also breeds on most of the shores of the Black and other seas before mentioned. In summer the forehead, crown of the head, and occiput, are black; back, scapulars, wing-coverts, and tail pearl grey; quills greyish brown; the remainder of the plumage pure white; bill rich vermilion; legs and feet black. The young of the year are clouded and transversely barred with marks of brown, much after the manner of the young of the Sandwich and other European Terns. The Plate represents a male in summer of the natural size. . : 4 ’ q = vom =, oy : ; i iy owiepha knelt: My athe a ’ st a ‘ * ' ; , * ' * ott Ls j nde a isin wavsed adit = one ag is ie | ee ‘sateian. ind 69 n@-inekii i Ogi 1p aden, ‘ ee ie ees ng J fy. tt Boers ref lao tetton ai Hest oT. « es NEE A *p* ; ae : aes at Bey . hl ot way. eye | ese rs . 4 ; at aoa ; i a) ns - ‘ : : : a k , 3 = ‘ t a ee ane 1 Lr Tene ih sy af: eMiaiod Mink mov 1s. Pe ae. ani ie . ir i ‘ | - 3 ‘ 4, + f NF sy Tt ) See ‘ v jo). Pee (cee). FART tit nit sar ri Le sls Vasc cae .: etoltedet aiulad 2a Ato faa J bt ade = 4 b. ' ee Kw ; : FHWA ae ie 4 i, gar ly: wets cfhesria a: Sa Fuh (agen i ee ; ers ‘oom Ag a : A ot ne . i J LA Chats tae WEE pou? Ol eae ‘ates opted e% aula sitt awrel Se “afkine ys : 0 h ; ‘ sf - : : p 5 he mr 3 ; me - aioe co bast = [ * i! x é os : © oe : ; : ' r { 7 4 : 7 . v¢ 7 ar a4 - s BM: > $59 BON ME TE EO ate hi ¥ ih goad Mtl ast Tohaok = rs et . . * a x i _ i uf tr ° nigh vrbten Han’ dali S ant i V a ae = ’ i f : eed Mila er, pitt ay Nisa ad ita “teat an fais ; ps} aii! yl 4] i hy He + ( JPULY / CIVAWRI BUYS | | } 2 , “NW OL TAL CLNDWS SANDWICH TERN. Sterna cantiaca, Gmel. L’Hirondelle de Mer caugek. Lixe most others of its race, the Sandwich Tern visits the British Isles only during the warmer part of the year, breeding along our shores; and in some localities, as the coast of Kent, Essex, and the Farn Islands off Northumberland, being in considerable abundance. As the severity of winter approaches, and drives into deeper water the young crustacea and fishes on which it feeds, it leaves us for more temperate latitudes, where its food is ever accessible. It is one of the largest of our British Terns, and, unlike some of the genus, is seldom or never seen along inland rivers or upon the large European lakes. Its locality is very extensive, there being few coasts in the Old World where it is not found. In manners and general economy, it differs in no respect from its congeners, being equally remarkable for rapid flight and all that activity and address which fit it for passing over the rough billows of the rock-bound sea. The process of nidification—for nest it makes little or none—takes place on the naked rock, the shingly beach, or other situations close to the edge of the water. The eggs are two or three in number, marbled with brown or black on a whitish ground. The male and female offer but little difference of plumage, both being remarkable for a jet black head in summer, which becomes mottled in autumn, and wholly white, or nearly so, in winter. The young, on the contrary, display a very different state of colouring, exhibiting on the upper surface a succession of arrow- shaped marks of black on a light grey ground. In this stage it has been called the Striated Tern by Gmelin and Latham. In one particular the present bird is very remarkable, having a black beak (the tip alone being yellow in the adult), black tarsi and toes, whereas most of the species of this genus are uniform in the rich red with which these parts are deeply tinted. In the full plumage of summer, the adult has the head and occiput jet black; the upper parts delicate blueish ash; the sides of the head, the throat and under parts pure white; the bill black with a yellow tip, and the tarsi black. In winter the head is white; and in the intermediate season the progress of change goes on through various stages of mingled black and white, the black of the head returning with the spring. The young of the first autumn resemble the parents in the colour of the beak and tarsi, except that the _ former is black to the tip ; the upper parts are light grey, the head being barred with transverse semilunar marks of black, and the rest of the upper surface with arrow-headed spots of blackish brown, the quills alone being clear ; the under surface white. The Plate represents an adult of its natural size, and a young bird of the first year in the mottled livery. ur ‘ : i iw 2 , as TTT, Si? (| Giet Re ip aati PROG RE ta Ae n . + : 7 : ‘ a 4: svn do. uedle wathoond: aay a ¥ , +i ee i ae es, Site On HE Pee Oeste? : a Wi Shean aie Ae ia ‘ : 1 . 4 QUINT. OU. Wala T5eeots = Hahimes ie 179 af hoot ete ead = ! ter “gies TV 1 -MmGbige at RAD. . “ . iA 39 TNE a au % 1 ¢ fit at iiaty ve . we ie F; ” - 7 Aye re ; y S01 moti in foiiby aay ' ; - : : ‘ “(cee tler ei: ft: Bi 2a rail t By { re - ry r | o at t. ‘ © «ttl c : rg , ) He 2 W9G1G UH). 4b GSe. ) i ae i mid? “dad i eerie itive . - . po 7 % » ; : if onk . m . y os i. \ ‘ a ee i & y H ’ ' ' [ wy ; - r ‘ : a) ‘ > ; 4 . rbd Bees f i i -1alieiinae-ouo ak al : Be ay sf Halk Clube aalt ; Z z Fritinte Al earsitt glately . > i . 7 F i - . 7 Fi r isa? Gime ee Ly 20k : y y - ; h F } 3 f iT asa 8. ote aA ily s des daiauled : i twod odd vate gl lool few at Daa Ae AY pete ; ‘ Pee i ee ie a ' re ‘ nf 1 ly heforat to evunte nie dans ao . a q - a , a . . oa i 7 ! j ; i is > hsv ieee wl mut Geliten 1g. we is CUTE A od j by " y a i » » u Z . - hid alt ty jp sat ata engin oft ¢ qe a Oe one: ab eaneeOT ¥ 4 ‘ | a - ¢ vr pC 4! { - 2 * rt. ‘ . = * { it Hi LE i id (MBH a Bee iA, SET Bee Bat ‘yrly Lanier Auld te: aay nent } atister ooiliite Hole gi] wala yniad © th) ni anye dit od) lo lid puede ie eee Tine ae abe ay maser att ott ee Seer J (boy) ‘Boys BUI ' : NOU Ca LILA Ira ace edi ten ety GULL-BILLED TERN. Sterna Anglica, Mont. Le Hirondelle de Mer Hansel of Temm.? Tus rare species of Tern was first made known from specimens obtained in this country by Colonel Montagu, and was described and figured by him in the Supplement to his Ornithological Dictionary. The bill is wholly black, about an inch and a half long, thick, strong, and angulated on the under mandible, at the symphysis or junction of the two portions, in which particular it resembles the Gulls, and this Tern may be considered as a link between the species of the two genera. The upper part of the head, occiput and back of the neck are black in summer; all the upper parts cinereous ; outer tail-feathers and all the under parts of the body white ; the first five quill-feathers are tipped with greyish black, part of the inner webs white ; legs long, exceeding one inch and a half, nearly black; toes long, claws almost straight. In the winter plumage the head is white, with dusky markings about the eyes. Young birds have the head, back and wings mottled with ash colour, light brown and dusky. The sexes are alike in plumage, but the female is rather smaller than the male. It seems to be now a very general, but not a universal opinion, that the Sterna Anglica of Montagu is not the same bird as the Sterna Anglica of Temminck’s Manuel d Ornithologie, but that this latter bird is identical with the Sterna aranea of Wilson and the Marsh Tern of Peale. We have had no opportunity of examining American specimens of this rare Tern, but examples brought from India by Colonel W. H. Sykes were compared, and found to correspond exactly with Colonel Montagu’s birds in the British Museum, both in their winter and summer plumage ; and that the Sterna dnghca of Montagu exists in the Dukhun does not therefore admit of a doubt. Colonel Sykes remarks, that with the aspect, length of wing, lazy flight, and habits of the Tern, this bird has a bill approximating to that of the Gull, and not quite identical with the bill of Viralva, under which genus Mr. Stephens has arranged our Angtica in his Ornithological portion of Shaw’s Zoology, vol. xii. p. 174. Numerous fishes were found in the stomachs of the examples of this bird killed in the Dukhun, and this fact is in accordance with the remarks of Charles Lucian Bonaparte, Prince of Musignano, who in his Observations on the Nomenclature of Wilson’s Ornithology, states that the habits of the two species of Tern, Sterna Anglica and S. aranea, are very different; the former is confined to the sea-shore, and feeds sometimes on fishes, while the latter is generally found in marshes, and feeds exclusively on insects. The Gull-billed Tern is said to frequent, and even to be common on the eastern parts of the European continent, particularly during the summer, where it lays three or four oval-shaped olive-brown eggs, spotted with two shades of darker brown. We have figured a bird in the summer plumage and of the natural size. =i aa vith Pei ts AYE LITE * PT , 1 - 4 ‘ - ‘is Bs ‘a ae aid ie : { f mi OF Ato I f , A l e , ar ‘ . - y 5 : fF) J , ” ie 7 . * i u y € + ‘ ; b v7 . & oe ¥ * ‘ * ; es ' ¢ > “ ; j i . : * » i +i : tL J : sf ‘ ¥’ f Sei es 2 i . pte tt see ete ~ eZ e i ; : : F aha ! ng ee, 6 \ Ta r r Bt n , , / yi A . fe ; hak, ee ; x uae pe P i : zy 5 j tw wee ieee , { : a ; ! f ; i f ‘5 CE DESPITE E ove : "i 7 : . : 5 pt < , i ’ 1 nae a 4 ‘ 44% ee we bal , ' M ‘ 5 eae Fest , . * 3h f ah ; . . (any, ‘opwnay euIG “SUIL NOWWOO | Pa che Be | COMMON TERN. Sterna Hirundo, Lenn. La Hirondelle-de-mer Pierre Garin. Aut the members of this interesting tribe inhabiting the British Islands are strictly migratory: several species visit us for the purpose of breeding, while others, being inhabitants of more distant countries, are of more rare occurrence. The Common Tern, although not universally dispersed over our coasts, is nevertheless a very abundant species, being found in great numbers over the southern shores, but more sparingly over the northern, which are almost exclusively inhabited by its near ally the Arctic Tern. It is now satisfactorily ascertained that the Common Tern does not extend its range to the American Con- tinent, and that its place is there supplied by another species, to which the Prince of Musignano has given the specific appellation of 77/sonz, in honour of the celebrated ornithologist by whom it was first described. How far the Common Tern is distributed over the Old Continent we have not satisfactorily ascertained, but we believe its range is extended from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean, and even to the coast of Africa and India, to which southern and eastern countries it is supposed to retire during our winters. The Common Tern does not confine itself entirely to the sea, but frequently resorts to inland streams, &c. ; and when thus ascending our creeks and rivers these little fairies of the ocean fearlessly fish around our boats, nothing can be more pleasing than to observe their poise and dip. When with their scrutinizing eyes they have observed a fish sufficiently near the surface, they precipitate themselves upon it with an unerring certainty, and a rapidity that is truly astonishing; this mode of capture strongly reminds us of the J%ssirostral tribe among the land birds, and they may, indeed, be truly termed the Swallows of the ocean, their long and pointed wings, and small but muscular bodies, being admirably adapted for rapid and sustained flight, and affording the means by which they are enabled to traverse the surface of the deep with never-tiring wings. The Common Tern breeds upon the sand or shingle beyond high-water mark, making no nest, but scraping a slight hollow for its eggs, which are two or three in number, and which vary much in colour, some being of _a deep olive green, while others are of a cream colour, but all blotched with blackish brown and ash grey. “Tn warm and clear weather,” says Mr. Selby, ‘‘ this bird incubates little during the day, the influence of the sun upon the eggs being sufficient ; but it sits upon them in the night, and also through the day under a less favourable state of the wéather. The young when excluded are assiduously attended by the parents, and are well supplied with food until they are able to fly and accompany them to sea. During the time of incu- bation the old birds display great anxiety, and are very clamorous when any one approaches their station, in flying round and frequently descending so near as to strike the hat of the intruder.” Forehead, crown, and occiput black; back, wings, and tail pearl grey, the edge of the enema quill in the wing being black for three parts of its renee ; face, sides of the head, neck, and all the under surface white ; bill bright red for two thirds of its length, the tip black ; legs and feet bright red. The Plate represents two adults, one in the winter and the other in the summer plumage, of the natural size. ite lial 4 e jit ‘ Degen Uippyer D 1D PeUaey . DELL? | Wragg mewane7 ia res _ = : | | (Quy) WPESN0 (| BUING c "NWAL ALVAasow Py; a : 15 ff ROSEATE TERN. Sterna Dougalli, Mont. Le Hirondelle-de-Mer Dougall. Tue delicate rose-colour which pervades the breast of this bird, together with the slender black bill, at once distinguishes it from every species of British Tern; and although not one of the rarest, it is nevertheless more thinly distributed than any other species known to make the British Islands a place of incubation. Continental writers have asserted its occurrence on various northern shores; but it is there also, we have reason to believe, extremely limited in numbers. The first recognition of it as a distinct species is due to Dr. MacDougall of Glasgow, who discovered it breeding on the Cumbray Islands, in the Frith of Clyde. It has since been observed in several other parts of the northern portions of England and Scotland ; and it is, perhaps, more abundant in the Fern Islands than on any other part of the coast of this country. Mr. Thompson of Belfast has recently discovered it to be a periodical visitor of the northern coast of Ireland, where it appears to resort annually for the purpose of breeding. We have ourselves received it rather abundantly from India, particularly the coast of Malabar, a circumstance which is remarkable when we consider that in our latitudes it prefers the more northern parts, being seldom or never seen on the southern coasts of England. From America we believe no examples have yet been seen, nor have we ever observed it from the arctic regions ; and as our examples from India were in their full breeding plumage, we are inclined to believe that it is a species which abounds more particularly in the southern regions of the Old World. Mr. Selby, who has seen it in a state of nature, informs us that it is easily to be distinguished while on wing from all other species, its flight being peculiarly buoyant, and sustained by a slower stroke of the pinions: the length of the tail is also characteristic, and its cry is different in expression, resembling the word ‘crake’, uttered in a tone not unlike that of the Landrail. In the Fern Islands it breeds on the outskirts of the stations occupied by the Arctic Tern, and its eggs much resemble those of that bird, but are a little larger, more pointed at the small end, with the ground colour inclining to cream white or pale wood brown. In habits and manners it scarcely differs from its allied congeners, and it preys on the same kind of fish. The time of its arrival may be stated to be the same as that of the Sandwich and Arctic Terns, and by the end of September nearly the whole of them have departed for warmer latitudes. The male and female offer little or no difference in the colours of their plumage. The top of the head and occiput jet black, from the base of the upper mandible ; cheeks, throat, and under parts white, delicately tinged with rosy red; the whole of the upper surface delicate grey, with the exception of the outer edge of the first quill-feather, which is black ; bill slender, red at the base, the remainder black ; tarsi and membrane vermilion. The Plate represents an adult male in its breeding plumage, of the natural size. z ey i Tepecyea soul E . pints ofdonaas \ a5 ot ‘eohndant. ay Mt bite epee) : dota ade pte eaten aly ie 2 ise ae thin omg ¥ oe slit ery ailt te mabe ‘tuo oi to Faeioes eee sumed bus ie i a Hufiev atte { eat (y Meee, f Bano PUIG “NU Gi Dd OD SW Sac eerermemimntome rank ee \ [7 ARCTIC TERN. Sterna Arctica, Temm. L'Hirondelle de Mer arctique. Ir is to M. Temminck that we owe the knowledge of the present bird as constituting a different species from that of the Common Tern (Sterna Hirundo, Linn.), to which it bears so close a resemblance as almost to require actual comparative examination of the two species, to determine the characters which form the line of distinc- tion :—the accurate representation, however, which we have given of both species, with the minute indications pointed out in the letter-press, will, we trust, clear up every difficulty attached to these two species, so nearly allied, and so often confounded. We have ourselves had abundant proofs that the present bird is a constant inhabitant, in considerable numbers, of many parts of our coast, but more especially its northern portion, and the adjacent Islands the Orkneys and Shetland, where it is known to breed regularly; and it is not a little singular, according to the most credible information, that these Terns, although bearing so close an affinity to each other, do not associate together at the same breeding-places, but that each retains its peculiar locality although both breed in the immediate neighbourhood of each other. Thus one species will occupy an island, or a portion of it, to the entire exclusion of the other, and vice versé. M.Temminck informs us, that it is especially common in the Arctic circle, which he considers to be its true habitat, and where it occupies the place of the Sterna Hirundo of more southern latitudes. We have had opportunities of examining this species in all its stages, and we find that they strictly correspond with those of its allied congeners. The young offer also but little difference from those of our Common Tern. There is, however, one infallible rule by which not only the adult but the young in any stage may be at once discriminated, viz. by a comparison of the length of the beak and tarsus, characters on which the greatest reliance may always be placed. The Arctic Tern is altogether smaller and more slender, with a longer and more elegant tail, the beak wholly red and much less robust, as well as a quarter of an inch shorter, measuring from the gape to the tip; the tarsi are also proportionately smaller, measuring in length only seven lines ; to which may be added that its colour is much more uniform, nearly the whole of its body, both above and below, being covered by a blueish ash colour; the head and back of the neck black. It breeds among the shingles on the sea shore, the female laying two or three eggs very similar in colour and markings to those of the Common Tern, but smaller. We have figured a male in its summer plumage. ‘ / ‘ ‘7 rs : e , * ’ te § ' | F i a OIRO RA Wawel is wires qavesie tim ee = Bi ; ‘ f mile rin ct Fel EL kien 7 ; a ee Jai on Iv vig tlt t olwonsl af) sa ov Meri e y id ay ef : : if te djedte Of Caen hawt Waele ee enguaditics) ff) flats " é : f ni 147-790 ort ads to neil cima yy prelates noo quite +: dee Walder Harrod lot ‘PHESS elec ‘uit aot : 5 vale) jan yr Thee cele erat ae Bt: | 110 ebaiuiog’ itive deh el! boliuidnes naite cis fut aitte . iy WiIMnAO areaa ah eehiandy wt Atyidadat : fueukeait Fielss piu dy? adi Asnated tiroauifur gel ' yr sertere Sica city sit op. Be hive bi staleminng EY na inetd “cerOans iit oh aotlo dacs 9 imabbaim sulaimeads pied dind Beisecaef ili P ‘ ' ‘ili an re af Yi; ho ha a hich ob oltre, t9i) ee ae gk ageniiod Age i oni pics ‘arte WE aia ae, ehh Ti) soatley y dont gn Wt sob? fan hints ett, ie ae * nogiiiiys Vi lo a uit Hits % veeatiitey ofl. ti E soli athe we Pe he le tit ah pilite ef Shale, ait ylito sone dabelet | “ 4 rt donb apelsatas vied bee dunk ott ho, geal af} a hie estes on hes allside sodtivotle @ aed see ee - ’ rode dati ay. ladon s alia: om faadod sae Son os ban . i j si aioe ao irk yiel nee ot telliarta thadas dient yong cake oor -. r i. 5 bbe; a eit (Hae buy a asi ai; tt ae Bit 1 sais 4 Sh Vinoe Wesel it ‘Statcty inepet P7 c Al ‘ id Hast ih ty f- rise Pispas [sedge sh; ‘ njolos : a 2 tRati rt : a yn alma, S85 auida ye od ayy ohana fa olf s ryan heel deel ad ' saflans sed ors counted. dt le seeds of etdsuty Fires ‘pagepedae AED ae lAais fl, Saha aval sade mre) tis) the i. ¢ (Uuay) “PN BILT2\G “NUM ATL LIT \“ LITTLE TERN. Sterna minuta, Lenn. La Petit Hirondelle de Mer. Tuts elegant species of Tern appears to be more generally distributed than any other of its race: we have ourselves received specimens from various parts of India, which, with others from America, prove to be strictly identical with those found in Europe. It visits the coasts of England in great numbers on the approach of spring ; and not our coasts alone, but those of the Continent to a considerable extent northwards, apparently arriving from more southern latitudes where it has been passing the winter. It associates in large flocks, and may be observed winging its way over the surface of the sea, particularly off coasts which are flat, low, and shingly, and where small islands are left by the retiring tide. These islands’ afford for them and many other maritime species a resting-place, where they collect in considerable numbers until the rising waters force them to take wing again. The adjoining shingly beach also affords them a place of nidification, their eggs being deposited in a slight depression among the broken shells just above high-water mark ; and so closely does the colouring of the eggs assimilate with the mingled mass around them, that they escape the casual search of inexperienced eyes. Winged insects, small fishes, and marine animals, form their food: these latter they take from the surface of the water as they fly, but without diving, a power which the Terns, as we scarcely need observe, do not possess. The young and adult offer marked differences of colouring. The former, before the autumn moult, have the forehead yellowish white ; the top of the head, occiput, and back of the neck, brown with black bars ; a black stripe passes through the eyes ; the back and wings light brownish grey, each feather having a border of blackish ; tail- and quill-feathers tipped with whitish. After the autumn moult the back of the head is black, and the under parts are, as in the adult, light grey. The adult plumage may be thus characterized. The forehead white ; a black stripe passes from the base of the upper mandible, through the eye, and joins a large black patch on the occiput and back of the neck ; upper parts fine blueish grey, the rump and tail being white, as are also the under parts ; beak orange tipped with black ; tarsi orange; length 8} inches, but when seen with outspread wings flapping over the sea, the bird appears much larger than it is in reality. Our Plate represents an adult and a young bird of the natural size. ° whew pee Led Ad oon gopoucougyny 9 hi qegunsy (U7) Bpyoris BUsIAG "NU GL AddON yang 7% 7 hy arog uo aamgngy utos{ UsooI NODDY TERN. Sterna stolida, Zznn. Le Mouette brun, ou Le Fou. Two individuals of this species having been shot in the summer of 1830, off the coast of Wexford in Ireland, between the Tasker Lighthouse and Dublin Bay, it becomes necessary to include a figure of it in the present work. ‘These examples (the first, we believe, that have occurred in Europe,) have been placed on record by W. Thompson, Esq., Vice-President of the Belfast Natural History Society. We are indebted to American ornithologists for the best accounts of the habits of the Noddy. Mr. Audubon found numbers collecting from all parts of the Gulf of Mexico and the coasts of Florida, for the purpose of resorting to their breeding-places on one of the Tortugas called Noddy Key, where many of these birds were observed by this gentleman in May 1832 repairing old nests that had been used by themselves or their companions the preceding year. The Noddy, unlike the generality of the Terns, builds in bushes or low trees, making a large nest of twigs and dry grass, while hovering over or near which the old birds utter a low querulous murmur: the eggs are three in number, of a reddish yellow colour, patched and spotted with dull red and purple. The young birds are said to be excellent eating. Unlike the other members of its family the Noddy takes its prey while skimming along the surface of the water; and the old birds seek their food, which consists principally of small fishes, at a greater distance from land than Terns are generally observed to do. _ Mr. Nuttall states in his Manual of the ornithology of the United States and of Canada, that “the Noddies breed in great numbers in the Bahama Islands, laying their eggs on the shelvings of rocks ;” and we observe that Dr. Latham, on the authority of others, makes a similar statement ; he was told also that these birds lay their eggs in vast numbers on certain small rocky islands near St. Helena. Forehead white passing into grey on the back of the head; immediately before the eye a patch of deep black ; throat and sides of the face greyish brown; primaries and tail deep blackish brown; the remainder of the plumage dull sooty brown, inclining to chocolate ; bill and feet black. We have figured an adult of the natural size. “iy be Deans ue, UT Tae: i" y itty, at olitieate deter, ol bat ar «birth: rhs SIE thea aotdye, Tunes oe rate a) i sabia Dis 1A 2 Ped is roar tyite (HE inirell Hoes, (hgbs opiculig. oe W ' ale lata ta at ba ce Beary arene aM oe: a 7 * ' Mee A hay 7 5 iv . { Palas rue : Ay May yee Tpccuapar 7 hg pena (yoveT) WAST PATRI (UM / CISUL BILI}G “NG aL MOD WT & aa tLe PPG QOQUIE. Tp f° AG Wu ! LOY YT UO). Ce il Genus VIRALVA, Leach. Grn. Cuar. Beak shorter than the head, subulated, nearly straight, slightly compressed, the tip a little inclined: the wpper mandible nearly straight. Nosérels oblong, basal. Wings long. ‘Taz slightly forked. Feet four-toed, slender; the hinder toe minute. Claws small. BLACK TERN. Sterna nigra, Linn. Viralva nigra, Leach. L’Hirondelle-de-mer epouvantail. Axruoucn we have given the generic characters of the genus Viralva of Dr. Leach, comprehending those Terns which have their tails almost square, in addition to other less important characters ; we still hesitate to adopt the genus of this naturalist, on the ground, that the separation is established on characters too trivial in our opinion to substantiate a new genus. It will, however, be our aim to give a complete account of the habits of the present bird and the other European species included in this genus, leaving our readers to adopt it, or not, as they think best. The Black Tern is an abundant species, but confined more especially to the vicinity of large rivers, fresh- water lakes, and morasses, particularly those of Holland and Germany, and extending thence as far as the Arctic circle. It annually visits the fens and marshy districts of this country, such as those of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Lincolnshire, for the purpose of incubation, but is not near so abundant now as formerly. This species assembles to breed in flocks more or less numerous among the flags and willows which border the edges of water, laying four or five eggs of a dark olive brown, marked with numerous spots of darker brown and. black. The Black Tern differs in its habits, nanners, food, mode of nidification, the situations it selects for that purpose, and its manner of flight, from the true Terns, which may at once be distinguished from it by their very long wings, and swallow-like form of tail, and by their giving a preference to the sea and its inlets, where they obtain their food, which consists in a great measure of small fish, mollusca and other marine productions ; but in the present bird we find the wing less elongated, and the tail less forked, the tarsi longer, and the toes less webbed, while the food is taken almost solely during flight, and consists of winged insects, such as moths, flies, and the larger species of gnats, to which are added aquatic larvee, and occasionally small fishes. The flight of the Black Tern also, instead of that heavy flapping motion which characterizes the oceanic Terns, is smooth and rapid, while the bird continues to pass and repass over the same space like the Swallow in search of its insect food. In England, the Black Tern appears to be migratory, leaving us after the breeding season is over, and returning the following spring ; a circumstance we should consider to take place also in the northern portions of Europe. Although the young of all the Terns differ in colour from the adult bird, the contrast of the present species is the most remarkable, the colouring of the two being almost diametrically opposite ; they notwithstanding soon assume the adult state of colouring, and in about eight months gain their mature livery. ‘The males and females are alike in plumage. The adult birds have the beak, head, neck and breast black, becoming paler on the abdomen; the whole of the upper surface and tail of a fuliginous grey; vent and under tail-coverts white; legs dusky red; irides brown. The young have the forehead, cheeks, neck, and whole of the under surface of a pure white; the top of the head and occiput greyish brown; the back, wings and tail grey, intermingled with brown. We have figured an adult and a young nid of the natural size. at iota (haga SOG ue MINT, SOW OH Se Ponta la Aa shina Git : : a “¢ i vig : ie: Saat aa y 4 : ‘ \ ) i F P F ] ’ si \ j : 4 ; } x 4 th ent ar eh he Clg $ bit’ Gib p Diine LE, FERS : * i PP es x nw ee oe 66 sed J s y, \ ‘ "% ; P| Fae | 7 é i res 4 hee rhe anak with i bsaP Vad a. 2% . r ? - at ive Phe SS as 49 LORELAED: LTE Fa SA ONUG) Cea: GEE REDE Le Cera elie hehe tod) ot hog ae Ar on elie pes PON a: f ; > ee ; icdets i eh i eis VA DAE ae ~ “ . eke ; 7: = perbine! my { PS) RCPURCEN EOD a Lethe: PERE Oy DT sete igen ney th tht at ; te . Bets e- hs * phere sit bi TY Abele AME pai oni mh tod ‘Barus Wt ‘ . y f x ¥ : é , Sie ‘ , RVC a ; . 41 + fai ’ ia ae oe ith h ' x Pr 7 4¥) tif M BRR CARP ELE) y oilasnute pee ¥ teedes rHandoh sD hie hate: shila elie Ra) hy : *. a ale - : sat iH . “wife Hee fh vite Pint Nett iy rl ih ’ . 4 he P Fe ey ae, aA Pe Sar nt are! ip ahead odie no. talag yatarasade some tere, a . : . v paca fon vifioly aol: gantd ee nhdirotlian yan Bagay' tie it? me fiom chewen sw 4 4 ft cee ce stn Sauk ts ue WEEE SR ROR POPES PARP ee é ‘ grate ya de : moi, ive Rete ers tee Phat byt | Het h ie " thes soa vo ai ty Ld ol athe than ‘adh, diva Rone wv. Pern, al a, Yeo Ut of re Cs pepo y ho poguaty yoynes iy 7) hg 229g 209 auerpyyp nucog| uaaiyy [Yu ) ‘ero dooney CATEIT\ (MUTT) *BI9\COM] CUI} NYUUL GADNIM-a LIA A ° WHITE-WINGED TERN. Sterna leucoptera, Linn. Viralva leucoptera, Leach. L’Hirondelle-de-mer leucoptére. Tur White-winged Tern would appear to represent in the southern districts of Europe the Common Black Tern of the more northern latitudes, frequenting, like that bird, inland lakes and marshes, as well as the low flat borders of the sea. We are informed that it inhabits all the bays and gulfs along the shores of the Mediterranean, and that it is very common in the neighbourhood of Gibraltar : it visits also, according to M. Temminck, the lakes and marshes of Italy, such as Lucarno, Lugano, Como, &c., but never extends its journey to Holland or the parallel latitudes. In habits, manners, size, and structure, it strictly resembles the Black Tern; the pure whiteness of its tail, and the greyish white of its wing, will, however, serve at once to distinguish it from that species. Its food consists of insects, particularly dragon flies, moths, and other winged and aquatic insects, worms, and occasionally small fishes. Of its nidification and the number and colour of its eggs, little is at present correctly ascertained ; but we have every reason to believe that they bear a close resemblance to those of the Black Tern. The sexes do not differ in the colour of their plumage, but the young of the year have less white on the wings, and the rest of the plumage is of a lighter and browner hue; in fact, it undergoes a change very similar to that of the Black Tern. The whole of the head, neck, back and belly, and the two outer quill-feathers black ; the remainder of the wings greyish white ; the rump, tail, vent, and under tail-coverts white ; beak brownish red ; tarsi brownish red. The Plate represents an adult of the natural size. em Bes g ale mf eh : 7 - al . i . (YMG) PIITPAOINIT PATRIA . : (2A) PIATE AOI] PUIG | | si a = ‘NWaL WHOVLSAOW | | MOUSTACHE TERN. Sterna leucopareia, Jatt. Viralva leucopareia, Steph. L’ Hirondelle-de-mer moustac. For the knowledge of this species we are indebted to M. J. Natterer of Vienna, who discovered it in the marshes of Hungary. It has also been seen by M. Temminck in Capo d’Istria on the coast of Dalmatia. The Moustache Tern, like its black- and white-winged brethren, appears to prefer inland and extensive marshes rather than the ocean. Like the last-mentioned species it is almost confined to the eastern portions of the Continent. In Europe it is perhaps one of the rarest of its tribe, and although its habits are but little known, we may reasonably conclude from its peculiar form that its general economy is strictly similar to the other Viralves, or Marsh Terns. Its food consists of the winged insects inhabiting the marshes, to which are added worms, snails, &c. The sexes offer no perceptible difference in their plumage. The young, says M. Temminck, have the top of the head of a reddish colour varied with brown; the occiput, the region behind the eyes, and the orifice of the ears of a blackish ash; the back, scapularies, secondaries, and quills brown in the middle, bordered and terminated with yellowish brown ; the tail-feathers blackish ash with the exception of the outer ones, which are tipped with white; beak brown, reddish at the base; feet flesh colour. According to M. 'Temminck’s description the adults are subject to considerable seasonal changes ; for he informs us that in winter the top of the head, the occiput, and all the under parts are pure white; a black spot is situated behind the eye; the back, rump, tail, and wings are of a clouded ash grey; the beak and feet deep lake red ; the irides black ; and that in spring the whole crown of the head is deep black, and the under surface clouded with blackish ash, becoming lighter towards the throat, and leaving the sides of the face and ear-coverts pure white, whence it has received the appellation of moustache. The Plate represents a male of the natural size in its full spring dress. ae re fala De pumungy 9 hapauay nomen rep php rvunag nto gp aamgayp nusosfravony Plog / StpUNngrplr PUB “TT AD 2 NOPD OWT etre AAI Pt NT eo = c Sc F - fs ee - Genus XEMA. Gun. Cuan. Beak short, slender, straight, laterally compressed, its tip bent down; the lower mandible somewhat angulated beneath. Nosérz/s very slender, linear. Legs slender; tebiw naked on the lower part. Taz/ forked. LAUGHING GULL. Xema ridibundus, Boze. La Mouette rieuse ou a Capuchin brun. Tue characters which distinguish the genus Xema of Dr. Leach from the genus Larus, consist not only in a decided difference of form, but in certain points of colouring, and the changes which the species comprised in it undergo at different seasons; for example, the bill and legs are bright red, and the head changes in spring from white to black or deep chocolate brown, which latter colouring is certainly confined to the breeding-season, and disappears on the approach of autumn; in addition to this we find that the young pass through a very different gradation of plumage to that which obtains among the Gulls in general. Independently of these variations in the colouring, we may observe that the general contour of the species is much more light and elegant, the bill more feeble, and the tarsi more slender; they choose, moreover, a very different place for the purposes of nidification, always resorting to low flat lands, often some distance from the sea, the nest being placed on the ground, whereas the generality of the Gulls build upon ledges of rock bordering the sea. Of all the species comprised in the present group which inhabit our island, the Laughing Gull is by far the most common and perhaps the most elegant of its genus. During the summer it resorts in immense flocks, for the purpose of nidification, to many of our marshy islands near the coast, after which it again returns to the sea, or the mouths of large rivers, and is found at this season round the whole of our coasts, but is not then to be distinguished by the bright chocolate colouring of the head, which character is so remarkable during the breeding-season. In general habits, manners, and mode of flight, it agrees with the rest of the Gulls; though, as its light form and long tarsi sufficiently indicate, its actions on the ground are much more nimble and rapid. It is said to be a bird of passage in Germany and France, but is found in the greatest abundance in Holland throughout every season of the year. Its food consists of various insects, worms, mollusca, and small fishes. ss In its full summer plumage the bill, naked skin round the eye, and tarsi, are bright red; the whole of the head and throat deep chocolate brown; the back and shoulders delicate grey; quills white on their outer edges, with the exception of the first, in which it is black, the extremities of all the rest being black slightly tipped with white; rump, tail, and whole of the under surface white. The winter plumage is similar to that of summer, with the exception of the chocolate hood, which is gradually exchanged for pure white, a change which Mr. Yarrell has correctly observed in his valuable paper “On the Laws which appear to influence the assumption and changes of plumage in Birds,” published in the Transactions of the Zoological Society of London, (vol. 1. part 1. p. 13,) is produced 1 not by a process of moulting, but by an alteration in the colour of the feathers. The young of the year have the colour of the bill and tarsi much more obscure; the top of the head and ear-coverts are mottled with brown, which is also the colour of the back and shoulders, each feather having a lighter margin; the tail is broadly edged with black. The full plumage of maturity is not acquired until after the moulting of their second autumn, and is assumed by gradations. ‘The sexes do not differ in their colouring. The Plate represents an adult, and a young bird of the year, of the natural size. Pee ee bay oak (Pare seri) eet : + 4n 1h ‘aia tt teak: F oF i AS.) st ONT s heey 4. . POL) ie ae! [nak asset Gunite sal A nyo : while a 1 : J - a! eet Phy, : * ’ he Peek Vite ny, vite) eas aw ; tala , f ; hag ‘ i, =) Ce ei ’ ite P t 4 Hef, ; : , . rs = Veer ' Wy, yi de hos fo ict ee ie e A r ¢ + f uit j J i er : ia! 7 . mt J 4 : . ; Te ul ‘ . . q . a ; , , it (F anrigibe nian ome ont. | j L ie ere bias «a ' ; =) i rE ; eu CTT epi: Tags Ave ai ; : hee d A Sj 4 © 4) hes Cype: “i wy 7 a ’ 3 é - : 4 . i hte ie “ty A- : Ase ta atosndt © —" s, =! : i i a 4 yee vesai ts rt . d - w i , rt t fata O98 j : “ M's ie Fad Ths 7 hi _ { _ x aS | | Se ; ; a coke “agg? ee i> bee YES ‘ 1m Purvis el my * “ty “Ff tr) : f - 1 meth? “| aw ae). . " ; fii . dupidl ps } 2 oan tBagsr, ; +P aie (ae SL | ; ; ’ ‘ ‘ie on aN ety: CL .. e me tl ftp ot iat etry = if Pe eae r | ; . a har otf 0 tars i ee i ; ; 3 +4 ost € ani xt ct. etal : t 7 “" 2 Wa) ee itse? x mh atin : -— § : ° : ; * y iy £3 Paigh us a crag sals phi me is : ry , ray! } . i a ref ee iene C sit th deibihyecaglen® ; ay ; a4 Prehs* HtE Atahe i tae eh ed patina ee a : - "1 é at +. Alh hey yt ‘ital : tay wi Vn spas = a. ida , ALE Gale el dojernry i. oni! live beihiose 7H. ef. tanh Sate ly “iylig rH " wt $ f bien Sain xii bgnane 5: J hid Pra toie to ae @ yu ttiae upitet iy . + yatinultey Tene ae Myke the Me ean who abil ride Oe ease ae lyn yu, tie: Haale, p ee - pme0n opr ha aune mo 9 awe (um7T) eyyOuye Ssnse'y . ; ; “TTOD GAaADNIM-MW)VW lal BLACK-WINGED GULL. Xema atricilla, Larus atricilla, Zann. La Moutte 4a ailes noires. In figuring this species of Gull under the specific title of atrici/la, we would beg to observe that it should not be confounded with the aéricilla of M. Temminck, which name must necessarily fall in consequence of its having been previously given to another species. The present bird is common in the United States of America, and was, we believe, the only species of Gull figured by Wilson, who considered it to be the true aéricilla of Linneus. Of the capture of this bird in Europe no later account has been published than that given in the publications of Montagu, whose original specimen, now in the British Museum, has afforded us an opportunity of determining it to be identical with the American bird. Beneath we have annexed the account given by Montagu, who clearly points out the distinctions between it and the common species, Xema ridibundus. ‘In the month of August 1774, we saw five of them feeding in a pool upon the shingly flats near Winchelsea; two only were black on the head, the others were mottled all gver with brown. One of them was shot, but although the remaining four continued to resort to the same place for some time, the old ones were too shy to be procured. We also saw two others near Hastings in Sussex. ‘They may easily be known from the Black-headed Gull even while flying ; the flight is different, the bird appears much larger and the tail shorter in proportion.” In its habits, manners, mode of nidification and food, this species closely resembles its congeners, feeding upon the refuse of the fisherman or any animal substances thrown up by the tide: it may also be observed scattered over marshes and newly-ploughed fields busily engaged in searching for worms, insects, and their larvee. It usually breeds im the marshes near the coast, and lays three eggs, of a dull clay colour, thinly marked with irregular patches of pale purplish brown. The whole of the head and the upper part of the neck are blackish lead colour ; circle surrounding the eye, the neck, all the under surface, and tail pure white; primaries black, with the exception of their extreme tips, which are white; the remainder of the upper surface and wings dark grey passing into white on the edge of the shoulder and the tips of the secondaries; bill red; feet reddish brown. We have figured an adult of the natural size. ' “ et ae wrneg By p hy runs 10 painpieyy nual remedy © (olog )* snyeydesourput RUIOY . . ’ | —— ’ “TINS AAdaAVAH MOVIG G2y BLACK-HEADED GULL. Xema melanocephala, Boje. Le Mouette a capuchon noir. Tus species of Xema may be readily distinguished from its European congeners by the jet black colouring of the head, the robust bill, and the silvery whiteness of the tips of the primaries. Several examples of this fine species in different stages of plumage were obligingly sent us by M. Temminck, from one of which the accompanying representation of the bird in its full summer dress was taken. In winter, the conspicuous black hood is entirely changed to white, as is the case with all the other species of this remarkable genus. The native habitat of the Black-headed Gull is the more southern parts of Europe, particularly along the shores of the Adriatic. It is said to be very abundant in Dalmatia, inhabiting and breeding in the marshes in the same manner as the Laughing Gull (Larus ridibundus, Linn.), so common in our island. Its food consists of small fishes, snails, and various species of marine insects. The whole of the head, with the exception of a small patch of white above and below the eye, is of a profound black ; the back of the neck, chest, tail, and all the under parts pure white; the whole of the upper surface delicate pearl grey ; the primaries white at their tips; the outer web of the first primary is black for three parts of its length from the base; beak, legs, and eyelids vermilion ; irides brown. The figure is of the natural size. inh oF to i eine “iit Sethe appa) (CU pe Cane iat (itt & mee fisted inproireny aig Ot EAA) wot 1 ani ny #P othe end eit oll Teh al Ai = fry 2 DeprncUiyyyyy a 19 Venue poymng sep Fig aneease 10 ap axcnanyp mas aMced [010 7) ‘SOME BUS TVET A LITTLE GULL. Xema minutus, Boze. Le Mouette pygmée. OF all the Gulls which frequent the British shores, the present species is by far the smallest as well as the rarest: nor is it much more common in the western part of the European continent, its native habitat being more especially the eastern portions of Russia, Livonia, Hungary, and the shores of the Black and Caspian Seas; and although it has been considered as identical with a species common to America, we have the best reasons for affirming it to be entirely distinct. It was first noticed as occurring in our island by Colonel Montagu, since which period examples have been killed at different times, and we have ourselves had the pleasure of receiving it in a recent state. Like the other species of the present genus, the Little Gull is a bird which exhibits a remarkable disparity of colouring in the winter and summer states of plumage, as well as from youth to maturity : all the examples killed in our island have been either in their immature or winter plumage. In summer it is characterized by a black head, which colouring it loses before the approach of winter; but in all the winter-killed specimens we have had an opportunity of examining, traces of this summer plumage remained, and in this state we have figured an adult, which is represented by the foremost bird in the Plate. Its flight is as light and buoyant as can well be imagined, and its general actions and form resemble those of the rest of the genus. The colouring of the adults in their winter plumage is as follows : The whole of the upper surface is of a beautiful bluish ash; the quills and secondaries tipped with white ; the throat and under-surface pure white, with a slight tinge of rose-colour; bill brownish red; tarsi bright red; irides brown. In summer the whole of the head and the upper part of the neck become of a brownish black. The young when a year old resemble the adult in the winter plumage, with this exception, that the shoulders, scapulars, quill-feathers, and tip of the tail are deep brownish black, and that the beak and legs are not so red. The Plate represents an adult in its winter plumage, and a young bird of the first year, of the natural size. ck U ey "es | | ep ee La 7 . i eetinteti bicigit ; rt } a ar alt Ah abe wht: "i, re ‘ ; ; Shey at Pere a ce ne vie a , ee } = ' Se Vey of sat toetst bani" abt nie neh tp rosie "$4 sac, apt Sanda? ‘lait nti a Weare ain aad old eu? ” fe) RO he Ae; 1 L Yay ws) ey oid Paty tiie) Sa, dani thet “ion : a . ‘ rae, ,, Cot Tea Hite Up hyhh Mitrhl: Ae amily Ye arlaliieaty pes i ie wie living | ; vit F leh. tau 10 ate fi bueals ane att its nid searat tL ay a i bens. aga | p F , x wag eh lwersHar- eu eae s) ute itn Ceres vet it 0 sear dll ne Sie “7 et ; ie ; : il TG te Re SY i: v 5 trib f fad fal By by: Lid! baa fal sot. hala fi Rn Tat i¢ fidil ysl, unpaiting ht c tanita | | an hy. | ta eer. 5 o | e. | j ig bi aye soit M igi viet 4 rently 7 ae 4 ay ecalfh: oft ye tia ay Tien: Vemma i a ats dig). PO Pe ase abe ae z whi | 1 Mliegdbl es _ y cbaniphg DEERE eeTiaur Ge ; a ate eta ey olin ie tate eckete Gee reese clig. & parnviis Sy See ee 5 | uh | Akai bokey. ight Spr eee archi, Tee OE yl gia is nt oe iw! Mave Aided Pe ‘ ; : 167 aut? iG efi discys alt oidbid ieee: aBTyiied 5 dai’ stv Puglif at!) fat “4 . rh da sare if ty esi lea igaid ach e142 AAGa at) We dood) tie ae he Hopiaul Gest wrticivng 2 + * , yan cea Pere aie + AE SMUE ALY: “ehh ped ot feife perenne! od) vel fisl (antes vi ae TOON TIRE Gee Piaenete fe a a aiceagh amt ty al lt A i: sil afd Noes CTE: Fatutl FI a {i Res ' VALE Tih Ne aa tow ice) ae) aa! ; | ke rawBik deat eg Sililet Dini sine 4f Liga aly oii een >> Sila, le Bgnect Srila i an ae geben dated LPtiinad Ate oe cee oe ais ibe ol El 5 a phiil fags ie Ved virial Wich” s anal nd my ty 5 Te heidi ie a ‘eal bts lef dieuian’ a fist wiry alee Bo | c ‘. Bai bE ioe Mag . ee wong eshini: 7 gee, The ’ vis | , : - a a ; oe ee ae ey san alt oe vr Wind wl ies, baits ta Pa sf soon al patie #7 : m Five para lar ull ceed Ue Buta, ately — uh “a iY pinoy ole Ree ? Pinch beige we ditnne iets Bi hint ae Le i 7 Te dtataenue s, i } divi, 98 Ae ior ohML olf T a » PAN aap ee ETI pa iba ae i ae oT, i A fou : Pat alae at rele ah rite ) AL pprenunpary 9 fy panna (pnoz) wages euy “TID S.SNIaVS PIMC “if PL AQ BM0QS2U0 PY Bk nowy rteoa neneaye SABINE’S GULL. Xema Sabini, Leach. La Mouette de Sabine. Tuus species has been added to the British Fauna in consequence of two examples having been killed in Belfast Bay and one in Dublin Bay, of which notices have been recorded in the 5th No. of the Magazine of Zoology and Botany; it has therefore become necessary to include a figure of it in the present work. It is almost strictly an arctic species, and as we have nothing to add to the account of its natural history published by Dr. Richardson, we prefer quoting the words of this scientific traveller as given in the Fauna Boreali- Americana, to recording the same facts in any language of our own. “¢ This interesting species of Gull,” says Dr. Richardson, ‘‘ was discovered by Captain Edward Sabine. It was first seen on the 25th of July, at its breeding-station on some low rocky islands, lying off the west coast of Greenland associated in considerable numbers with the Arctic Tern, the nests of both birds being inter- mingled. It is analogous to the Tern not only in its forked tail, and in its choice of a breeding-place, but also in the boldness which it displays in the protection of its young. The parent birds flew with impetuosity towards persons approaching their nests, and when one was killed, its mate, though frequently fired at, continued on the wing close to the spot. They were observed to get their food on the sea-beach, standing near the water’s edge, and picking up the marine insects which were cast on shore. A solitary individual was seen in Prince Regent’s Inlet, on Sir Edward Parry’s first voyage, and many specimens were procured in the course of the second voyage on Melville Peninsula. Captain Sabine also killed a pair at Spitzbergen, so that it is a pretty general summer visiter to the Arctic seas, and is entitled to be enumerated amongst the European as well as American birds. It arrives in the high northern latitudes in June, and retires to the southward in August. When newly killed it has a delicate pink blush on the under plumage. The eggs, two in number, are deposited on the bare ground, and are hatched in the last week of July. They are an inch and a half in length, of an olive colour with many dark brown blotches.” In summer, the head and upper part of the throat are blackish grey, bounded below by a collar of velvet black; the mantle and wings bluish grey; greater coverts and primaries deep black, the latter tipped with white ; edge of the shoulder and the extremities of the secondaries white, forming an oblique band across the wing ; neck, all the under surface, and tail pure white; bill black at the base, and yellow at the tip; eyelids red ; irides, legs, and feet black. The young birds of the year have the head mottled with blackish grey and white; back, scapulars, and wing-coverts blackish grey tinged with yellow brown; wing-primaries white with black ends; throat and breast pale ash colour; belly white; upper and under tail-coverts white; tail-feathers white tipped with black. We have figured an adult male in the summer plumage, of the natural size. » y a 1 ip teta ee . f a0 a ae luike) 0 ‘ A . a ; Mia i G None ' if ha - gh At} : e. “i ’ a. z i! Th : : 4 4 * i ‘ . n 7 i ' “ he i sabe i a a 8) ooh 7 f ' 2 ' : oe “ fey Goer sebK isi gh eeete. Ha Patek? Sat’ ot hslibe toad, ket eabestae pied ar, ‘ { “6 8 Y is 1 a . ~ : 2 7 * 4, Note Ah : a wore t Ms ' ne nat : : uaelE Gib fey oath iin rie (ih Vea Ca Viel) eee reed lf et hike ath TaehIER i : - : ea he ; : RE ee a5 F t anit ae taweie od ae HEE a iT ae yea Sian Pee a isith 4 # ful 4 Fie inel f Pte rato“: a i ® Rs ‘ tha! Phil st hes | cyfoes fle Unie toninh . : ) ! pera vii ‘f yu cncabvenafoad 1 of AO, ee ty \ : a) . : ’ ane Ne ) pene E recy oa's Cb ender hata : ip « : ‘, > = | eee tT ; . ) i; ree i wi stony Gp bo af Sonnidtetiies. us { : _ et er" nak ‘rok Selb be it Cl Testarige dete. aoe itp “a y re eS : i 7 ‘ - 4 q fee ‘ \ ; i i : i | Ty ide 3 be uy Vi Ve * Tey A, Pes drm, atk er oe ‘ ' c : ‘ ; - ; Y i we ib : ' alt j j fi prea Mle i ey a . ; x " § é: be" bum +4 ‘ : . bad oa verre f Shims HN Siete : ‘ ' . ‘ : . i . ‘ . ’ - i we ah ett Suu al be , H & - 7™ vr : ' - ; ney ‘ re i 4 . A ya . atie " : 4 naek . re ieee ate Vy : , 7 i i* 4 ‘ in : . 4 4 y t Py ' ” * . .f + + 3 H Borst . ‘ x ¢ if ! : ee rs i * ~ € 7 . 4 rr 4 7 . ' 4 Li ~ rif : > ay ' ” * ‘ bart y ; j e é * ’ : ; i : . 4 ! Poy i}w? ee a Pi A ai) * ye, a jae} Le ? pits +) . ° : : * ! * > Dyginem ’ ‘ . “ ' H L ety i pe Py? A ‘ > ba . . ; to =" ‘ i Mee J bw AMY 4 t i rs } ¥ ; ‘ , ay | oe mt hi rey 4 q 5 1 ; : ry i apt e penis : , ti) “it edd ghar” i . oan Aol Mrhaties eld Ps 4 42 oth ude id ok, wlan Va ARE, 7 : : wits 4: bjs ‘ Wd ite oh ett wie lial fa & ‘ 1 . ’ F * ha s é « : 1 re i tytn eg. ile? eee ete Wott tet nf agelit tite satel - Mi 1 Fe, a: ‘ : t ' A i ‘ hee a ie , a! ae ale a ahd udwry Le ah: Aiygl (ret 0. Oh a ae it / F : a a ¥ my ft fue 0 : c q oe f ¥ | 7 . j 7 rie * Nv TED PA ia Ot mus wetland “wis diel. “0 : ‘ , i ' : ‘ | 1p : : ; A > bel ¥ 1 ’ ry Pag b, A “ 7 es DEM an ie cig ei inthis A bop ete Mody, bela oh ; fe ; ‘ ve ae ae ay “tts yy , ah 4s : Ft » c ' . ] a ' oad te . a 7 aT wet - 7 ; - aoe ake ; ee Pan i. ij wi ey Si oo eh Ye tet mi atiglin oF), . Vip: aa pity \ ae . 7 7 t - | # . : ‘ : wrt . , te fatty alewgh 34° 5 ciple irae tie mlb’ ig nig, den, aad t ah " a pie . itihig? (Pre n h : ' ; ane i . | havea a wobcth. ‘hate ‘seid, fyi jit io rr Soli, ba grey Sei a had ; vehi nea Bindeseele Fyn Marae fig bare oA gti AS aaa 5 * bi | ; Ghee 3 i * ; thick {ty lis Ty at 4 ane hut bu axel aster nn wun " F _ C sar A a ae en hl esha bylttiie (eae site ta Site Lage, cent hth ight aa bits peony oe . “7; ¥ ule’ ‘al rn vb Diag 4 pepumppyy ) 1p pean] : QIROD LY [IY PUOI2 UO PED YT Megs. MMI (rung) swpyowoBry SUIT “ITD ONIMUCH | HERRING GULL. Larus argentatus, Brunn. Le Goéland 4 manteau bleu. Tue Herring Gull is very abundant along the shores of Great Britain, as well as those of the European Continent. It remains with us during the whole of the year, occasionally visiting our lakes, rivers, and inland waters. The British Islands and the coast of Holland may be considered nearly the extent of its range southwards. M. Temminck informs us, that although the young are occasionally found along the shores of the Mediterranean, the adults are very seldom to be seen there. ‘They breed along the rocky parts of our own coast, particularly at the Isle of Wight, from Fresh-water Gate to the pointed rocks called the Needles; the coasts of Wales, Scotland and the adjacent islands; as well as the lengthened and precipitous coast of Norway and the shores of the Baltic generally. At the time of incubation, these birds assemble in numerous companies, often associating with Guillemots, Razor-bills, and Puffins. They compose their nest of marine vegetables, which is placed on the ledges of rocks, or elevations covered with herbage, as samphire, grasses, &c., the female laying two or three eggs, about two inches and a half long, by one inch and three quarters in breadth, of a greenish olive colour spotted with black and ash brown; in the depth of ground colour and disposition of the markings there is, however, great variety. Independently of the variation in plumage which this bird undergoes in passing from youth to the adult state, there is another change which annually takes place in mature birds,—a deviation from the usual law which under similar circumstances is found to occur. In the winter, the head, neck and chest no longer retain the pure white which forms the livery of the breeding season, but each of the feathers which cover these parts becomes streaked with a longitudinal mark of brown, so as to give it a mottled appearance ; the rest of the plumage remains unaltered. The top of the back and scapulars are of a pure blueish ash ; the quills black, each feather tipped with white; the rump, tail and whole of the under surface uniform white; beak yellow; the under mandible has the angular projec- tion of a bright red; the naked skin round the eyes yellow ; irides delicate straw yellow ; legs and feet flesh- coloured. Length about twenty-two inches. It is not before the third year, at least, that the Herring Gull attains its perfect state of plumage. The young at first have the head, neck, and all the under parts grey mottled with light brown; the upper parts light ash-brown; tail-feathers whitish at the base, becoming gradually brown to their termination ; quill-feathers blackish brown just tipped with white ; beak dark brown or horn-colour; naked circle round the eye and irides brown; feet blueish brown. From this stage they may be seen in all their intermediate degrees, up to that of maturity, which may be considered as perfect in the fourth year ;—it is, however, more than probable that before this ultimate change they commence breed- ing, as we have seen them at nest with the remains of the colours of nonage intermingled with the white and blue of maturity. Our Plate represents an adult male, and a young bird in the second year, two thirds of their natural size. it Pr i CS A) = ; : : TRVEOUBTEHT D [8 reDy, : werng gL Fy mUoIs 100 RII MO MARL : . 7 —' ' (UUT) “eSyOXY sn.0eT] iss “TTD MINYAN IG all IOS KITTIWAKE GULL. Larus Rissa, Lenn. La Mouette tridactyle. Ir would appear that we must consider this species of Gull as only one of the list of our summer birds of passage, as it journeys south in the winter, and returns again in the spring to its usual haunts. Whether this is the case with the birds of this species in the continental parts of Europe we are not able to say; but as it is spread far northward along the whole of the European shores, we may conjecture that at least in the higher latitudes it is a bird of migratory habits. We do not consider that the abbreviated hind toe, which is a distinguishing characteristic of this Gull, is of sufficient consequence to entitle it to rank as a distinct genus ; and though Mr. Stephens has thought differently, we are not inclined to adopt the term Rissa as a generic title, but retain the word as its specific appellation. The difference which the plumage of the Kittiwake exhibits at different ages has led to a multiplication of its synonyms and some degree of confusion, the young having been considered by many ornithologists as a separate species, and described under the title of Larus tridactylus, and in popular language the Tarrock ; this error, like others of the same kind, which in the works of the earlier writers were almost unavoidable, is now cleared up, the various gradations of plumage from youth to maturity being well ascertained. In its habits and manners the Kittiwake generally resembles the rest of its congeners; it is, however, less addicted to seeking its food on the land, but is observed ever busily engaged over the surface of the water, in pursuit of small fishes, mollusca, crustacea, and other aquatic productions, which constitute its means of subsistence. The places chosen for its sites of incubation are the ledges of bold precipitous rocks overhanging the sea : numbers breed annually on the Farn islands, at Flamborough Head, on the Bass Rock; many also breed annually about Freshwater, Portland Island, and elsewhere. The nest is made of dried grass and sea-weed, and the eggs are two in number, of an olive white, blotched with dark brown and purplish grey. The common name of Kittiwake is given to this bird from the peculiar call during the season of incubation, which the male reiterates as he wheels round his mate upon the nest, or pursues his way on buoyant wing over the surface of the waves. In its adult stage, which is not attained till the second autumn, the plumage of the Kittiwake is very simple, the mantle and wing-coverts being fine pearl grey; the quills are tipped and bordered along their outer margin with black; the head, neck, tail, and under surface white ; bill yellow ; tarsi and toes dark olive green. The young of the year have the bill black; head, neck, chest, and under parts white, with the exception of a black spot near the eye and nearly encircling it; a marked crescent of black crosses the upper part of the back, and advances upon the neck ; the rest of the back and scapulars are grey ; the lesser wing-coverts black ; the greater coverts and secondaries grey, passing into dull white, with terminal patches of black ; tail white, largely tipped with black. After the first general moult the black markings become more obscure and limited, and the bill acquires a tinge of olive; at the next autumn moult, that is, in twelve months after the first, the full plumage is acquired. Our Plate represents an adult bird and a young bird of the year, of the natural size. Ak ib) ia tualt sn hoo vi : Z PGE 2 ity Pars) fe a | H (i ‘ai pang tt af, JTganany - fi . ’ ¢ . Ls A, . ; i F F é 7 ee F bees £ ; } i ; +e b eftag tlicike HIF Gt SaiPaS aut Ve SOE in Five Ses wis bison * a c P © ih teed oR ) cistit ¥ : : Sf i GF S53 ; es ae ‘ Wt Ta: . iG ; hai Py $9 aia beets idl 53) f Fr. ty reat creas at dsidke ‘aru reat ih “o : ; f ‘itech. ee ane fy eaten Dears maton ai in ‘ete Hae feb ; . ik 4511 : Srieltaacgh fore: 2oivincts oer : ae Atte wine ail certian. . wee é ve : ou eiane sd au: homels e: : : c i ste Tit fod ate at te yah ott viaitrhas : ‘ intel tide Tes toate ot : Agnataadua ae ; ; F . it ast ard od Des ‘ ; a ee Heieke facid aidan i: ie : ; ; iat ciheucias ; ; ‘ e Pe a , nr 9G tien a9 ete : 4 i7k te gale apna HEE ‘of ot of aps Paha tie SHEE ane duet ‘e ’ waive so. ae ot age sive, dt {ii He oe 2 dade ihe eke AP AP ; ete egies ink obey hag oitaaus ail hegeaes : j ; xe Jaa ade yboald “Be wingitai 19hae ; » ; Rice ane - ? 3 j Tae mi! ih nyt re tt 4 di iy’, "3h phe fie es sy Moe i REPEL, EMER prnen per hy ruoasao y ace wos frou y (70W4) ) snaureqe sme . . | “UTD AWOAT IVORY GULL. Larus eburneus, Zinn. La Mouette blanche, ou Sénateur. From the circumstance of two or three examples of this beautiful Gull having been captured at different times within the precincts of the British Islands, all modern writers have included it in the Fauna of this country. The snowy whiteness of its plumage renders it one of the most delicate and interesting species of its genus. Dwell- ing almost solely within the regions of the arctic circle, the few stragglers which now and then pass the boundary line, and visit the more temperate portions of the European continent, are, if taken by the ornithologist during these peregrinations, considered a prize of no little rarity and value. The first authenticated instance of its being captured in the British Islands was communicated to the Wernerian Society by L. Edmonston, Esq., and a notice of the occurrence published in the fourth volume of the Memoirs of that Society. This individual, which was killed in Balta Sound, Shetland, in December 1822, and one since, in an immature state, in the Frith of Clyde, are the only recorded instances of its having been found near our coasts. In a note in the Manuel of M. Temminck, we find this author also expatiating on its extreme rarity in our latitudes, two individuals only having at that period come under his notice. From the accounts given of this Gull in the works of Dr. Richardson, Capt. Sabine, and most arctic voyagers, we learn that in those regions it is a species of no rarity; and from its beg equally common in Greenland and Spitzbergen, we may naturally conclude that it ranges over the whole of the arctic circle. In these solitary wilds it is constantly accompanied by the Fulmar Petrel ; and like the generality of its tribe, which are constantly observed in the neighbourhood of shipping, it is always to be seen following the whalers and feeding upon the refuse thrown overboard, which, with blubber, small fish, and crustacea, forms the principal portion of its diet. It is said to breed im rocks overhanging the sea, but the number and colour of its eggs we have yet to discover. The sexes, when fully adult, are alike in colouring; the young, on the contrary, (as is the case with most species of the genus,) are so very dissimilar that they have been mistaken, and described as a distinct species. The plumage of the first autumn is an almost uniform blackish grey, which gradually gives place to a mottled livery of black and white, the ends of the primaries and tail retaining the dark marking the longest, and until the end of the second year. It is said that the immaculate white plumage is that of summer, and that the head and neck are streaked with grey in winter. The base of the bill is deep lead colour, the remainder being fine ochre yellow ; the irides are brown; the feet black ; and, as the name implies, the whole of the plumage is pure white. The Plate represents an adult male rather more than three fourths of the natural size. al 4th ae CN, of Hae Ni Ae a2 cs Z Le te plies ast Sd) ap LPOG ‘J gabie ee i hi ww Warts ory ‘Soenreitn “ay +: i ‘ ’ , ad " ries, P ele a bea Ohh nee RS, i i a Ver ype hd Maa Dan i ie hi a ' m1 eC ts re as i Raia hw aera Wisdiy pie habe. dtieolien iti ok iar wil TURE ety Tae tealiek ye 2. Roa het eb Ben aut penile i sige uel ae ofiihsds «, Minalet pik cage GAB Hee aikadates 1) ites 2 Leta VRE Re alatetn: fae tbne 9 EA ie mf ’ (UWT) STUD STITT "WT IND NOTA I OO PII TPL AG 210728 UD -y asm? M04; using COMMON GULL. Larus canus, Linn. La Mouette a pieds bleus. Tue Common Gull, as its name implies, is one of the most abundant species inhabiting the British seas, there being no part of our coast on which it may not be found; it is, moreover, a resident species, breeding, according to Mr. Selby, on bold rocky headlands “overhanging the sea, and sometimes on islands; or on the shores of lakes, as I have found in two or three instances in the Western Highlands of Scotland. At St. Abb’s Head, a bold and rocky headland of Berwickshire, these birds are very numerous during the breeding-season, and occupy the whole of the face of the cliff.” The nest is formed of sea-weed and grasses; the eggs, which are two and sometimes three in number, are of a yellowish white, blotched irregularly with brown and grey. Like many of the other members of the genus, this bird is two, if not three years before it attains its perfect plumage, the change being from mottled greyish brown to a delicate lead colour on the upper surface and white beneath. It is sometimes seen, particularly in the winter season, at a considerable distance from the shore, and it is often known, like the Rook, to follow the plough, and to wander in small flocks over fallow lands in search of worms, insects, and their larve. It is said to possess an extensive range, and to pass the summer in most of the arctic regions, inhabiting equally those of North America, Europe, and Asia, whence on the approach of winter it migrates southward, and inhabits for a time most of the temperate parts of Europe. In winter the head, occiput, nape and sides of the neck are white streaked with brown; the mantle, scapularies, and wing-coverts pearl grey; primaries black towards their tips, which are white, and the two first have also a large white spot within the black; under surface, rump, and tail pure white; bill bluish green at the base passing into ochreous yellow towards the point; gape orange red; naked skin round the eyes reddish brown. In spring the brown streaks on the head and neck disappear, and those parts become of a perfectly pure white; the bill changes to a deeper yellow, and the eyelids to bright vermilion. As above mentioned, the young are at first mottled with greyish brown, grey and white, which is gradually exchanged at successive moultings to the adult plumage ; the legs and toes are pinkish grey; the base of the bill fleshy red, and the tip blackish brown. We have figured an adult and a young bird rather less than the natural size. ere Le aie sil & bh Oi Dive is a, ae j i ae . all _— cerwcoreypngy 9 hip pring: annie pap aay i 7" _ | (muy, ) Wwarnopny snzey | “TIONS SNIIO CGAY AUDOUIN’S GULL. Larus Audouini, Temm. La Mouette d’Audouin. ALTHOUGH we are not aware of any instance of the occurrence of this fine species of Gull in our seas, still from a letter we have lately received from our friend M. J. Natterer, it would appear that it is by no means rare in the Mediterranean, for says M. Natterer, ‘‘I shot three of these gulls near Gibraltar and Tarifa, the whole of which had white heads in the month of August, the species cannot therefore belong to that section of the family which during this month have the head black.” From our knowledge of birds, we should say that the present species is extremely local, and we have never observed it in any of the many foreign collections we have had opportunities of examining. Our figure is taken from a fine specimen sent to us by M. Temminck, but from what locality it was obtained is not stated. It is probable that independently of those of the Mediterranean the whole of the coasts of Northern and Western Africa constitutes its native habitat. The situation of the nostrils in this species, together with the absence of the black head in summer, sufficiently indicates its separation, as M. Natterer has observed, from those gulls which we have included under the generic title of Xema. Head, neck, all the under surface and tail pure white; mantle and wings pale silvery grey; primaries black, tipped with white ; bill and legs red, the former crossed near the tip with two stripes of black. We have figured a male in the summer plumage nearly of the natural size. x 1 i ' ‘ 1 eh, Y SS TSI) SN MISS ; | ifs (UMa Ty, )‘ SNICITBYED ST.ASO'T 7 Genus LESTRIS. Gen. Cuar. Beak moderate, hard, strong, cylindrical, very compressed, hooked at the point, the upper land ble covered with a cere, the under mandible with an angle on the inferior edge. Nostrils approaching the point of the beak, diagonal, narrow, closed on their pos- terior part, and pervious. Jars: long, naked above the knee. Feet having three toes before, entirely palmated; hind ¢oe very small; naz/s large and hooked. Tail slightly rounded, two middle feathers elongated. Wangs, first quall-feather longest. SKUA. Lestris catarractes, Temm. Le Stercoraire cataracte. Tue Skua is an inhabitant of the higher regions of both hemispheres: it is constantly found on the Northern seas of the European Continent; and although it is not met with, we believe, in the North American seas, Captain Cook observed it at the extremity of the Southern Continent, being very abundant about the Falk- land Islands; and several collected by Captain P. P. King, on his last survey of the Straits of Magellan, and Terra del Fuego, were found on examination to be strictly identical with our own. In Europe; the Orkney, Shetland and Feroe Isles appear to be among the favourite breeding-places, and during the period of incubation the male becomes extremely fierce and pugnacious; it is, notwithstanding, a welcome guest to the inhabitants, whose flocks, but for this bird, would be more frequently exposed to the ravages of the eagle and raven; the former he will courageously attack, and repel, whenever he appears within the range of his dominions, for which service we can personally testify to the unwillingness with which the natives allow this bird to be destroyed. The Lestris catarractes may be often observed wandering about, generally in pairs, on the northern shores of these Islands ; the season, however, when the Skua may be most abundantly met with, is that in which the innumerable shoals of herrings visit our shores, at which times they are followed by flocks of Gulls of various species, who find in them an ample repast. It is not, however, for the sake of fishing, himself, that the Skua follows in the train, but, like the rest of his congeners, for the purpose of depriving the more industrious labourers of their booty, harassing them with unceasing ferocity until they deliver up their spoil. Fish thus obtained is not, however, his only food; for carrion, and the flesh of dead cetaceous and molluscous animals are not refused ; it is even asserted, that, like the rapacious tribe of Falcons, whose place he may be said to take on the ocean, he will destroy birds of inferior size and strength,—an act for which his formidable talons, strong hooked beak, and great powers of flight, render him extremely well qualified. The sexes differ but little in colour and size, and, contrary to what takes place in the other species of this genus, the young and adult exhibit but trifling variations. Its entire length is about twenty-two inches. The bill is long, black, and strongly hooked ; legs and feet jet black ; length of the tarsi two inches and a half; feet webbed ; toes armed with strong hooked talons, that on the inner toe being the most formidable Its general colour is a dark umber brown, varied on the back with light shades of reddish brown ; the neck marked with elongated lines of dusky yellow; the first quill-feather of the wings the longest, the upper part of the webs and shafts white; the lower part dark brown; tail cuneiform, the two centre feathers projecting about an inch beyond the others. The egg of this bird resembles that of the Herring Gull in shape and colour, but is rather smaller, measuring two inches and a half in length by one and three quarters in breadth, olive brown blotched and spotted with darker brown. We have figured an adult male, two thirds its natural size. In our description of the Pomarine Gull we omitted to notice the egg of that bird, which, as figured by Naumann and Buhle, measures two inches three lines in length, and one inch eight lines in breadth ; of a dark olive green, blotched and spotted with two shades of red brown. uh in Si lw 2 ree yi pe: . Fiasco tna oath arg : 4 tin 4 Wet ogee oa sD ta ery ic, bra r “eo kn pay ~~ smi a> Ae ae a iy Ht tin a Shalt Bs “ge wee tine a at a ¥ leat in t IED gt 2 ibe Fiagiraee: o bey ala ay 9 - = - Sond penecuypay Dp ly pints = " ' = : e R a: se ; yp MY STTEISTTO d stpsary ‘ VOY TY f MQ PURE UY YLT Ulod, Umi "TTOD WANIWMANW Od POMARINE GULL. Lestris pomarinus, Zemm. Stercoraire pomarin. Amone the parasitic Gulls, the Lestras pomarinus is the second in size, and possesses much the same habits as the preceding species, preferring a life of plunder to one of quiet industry : hence has arisen the generic title of the family, the word /estris signifying ‘a robber’. We are indebted more particularly to M. T emminck (who appears to have been the first to characterize it,) for our knowledge of the present species, which, from the various changes it undergoes, had previously occasioned no little confusion. It is an inhabitant of the more northern regions of both continents ; but on the European side the rocky and extensive coasts of Norway and Sweden are the only localities where it is supposed to incubate. The adult birds appear to confine themselves to the districts where they build, and are rarely met with on our shores, or those of the southern countries of Europe. The young, however, wander very extensively ; abounding at certain seasons on our own seas, and along the coast of France; and we further learn, on the authority of M. Temminck, that the Rhine, and the lakes of Switzerland and Germany are also visited by them. We have procured these birds in considerable. abundance, from every part of our own coast, while in the performance of their extensive migrations, at which time they have so close a resemblance in colour to the well-known blacktoed Gull, as to be easily mis- taken for that bird ; from which, however, they may be distinguished by their greater size: the beak in this species is also much more robust; the tarsi longer and more roughly reticulated. But, before entering more fully into a description of the present species, we must not omit to notice a peculiar characteristic in this class of Gulls, consisting in the length of the two middle tail-feathers, which extend beyond the others. In the Skua their length but little exceeds that of the tail, their breadth at the base continuing the same to the end, which is squared; in the present species the length is increased, the breadth continuing the same, but the end rounded: in the remaining species of this genus the two middle tail-feathers are extensively prolonged, gradually tapering from the base and terminating in a point. The beak of the adult male is of a greenish yellow ending in a black point, which is much curved ; the irides yellowish brown ; the feet and webs deep black ; a blackish brown covers the head, face, and occiput, where it terminates in a point ; throat white; cheeks and sides of the neck covered by silky filamentous feathers of a delicate straw-colour ; the whole of the upper surface, wings and tail, of a deep umber brown; the chest thickly clouded with irregular bars of brown, be- coming lighter towards the belly, which is white; vent and under tail-coverts brown interspersed with white ; the middle tail-feathers exceed the rest by two or three inches. ‘The total length of the bird is fifteen or sixteen inches ; the adult male and female resemble each other m plumage. The young of the year present a uniformity of colouring throughout, which consists of a dark brown, each feather being tipped with ferruginous brown: in this stage, the middle tail-feathers scarcely exceed the others ; as they advance in age, the adult plumage gradually supervenes. It is in the intermediate state that the Pomarine Gull is most commonly to be met with. Our Plate, in which the figures are two thirds of their natural size, represents an adult male in full plumage, and a young bird of about the age of five months in its immature dress. APOE O cn i lu} oiaian ine salt ‘Bue | ; icy ix i jaQeiey aye + yell a tae ond cite sebk toe : i edd ak x | ah i pact avai oF einai tHe4 patie avatar bak HOLY 4 : . ibaee aan uisionepirver jal ma dad é veins ah o ie i ts \ r¥e3 r . paket oe antares: : pa ak tal jotliny: a bree oak: | nha oht wre coainie: (ind hall a, to abelages dal ot toe yuborg od i ea. oie) habit ; anoniay ak “addict c iste Stale Baise Koln ods ope ak onanulun Yad em teimdik ; fay Saat ak {fined sists 1ntork, oa j vi : ah AP alan Lae: oil idee | | | ls - veal HEE ines Waleed ‘ ae % hee hee oy a ng 7A (ani) WHOSPIRIPHY SSI] “STULSAT S NOS GY VH OI RICHARDSON’S LESTRIS. Lestris Richardsoniu, Swazns. Tus is by far the most common parasitic Gull on our coast. It breeds in the Orkney, Shetland, and Western Isles in very considerable abundance ; and from this, its most southern boundary of incubation, it may be found in all the intermediate countries to the polar regions of both continents. It was discovered by Dr. Richardson, breeding on the barren ground north of Hudson’s Bay at a considerable distance from the sea, from whence he brought specimens, which we have had opportunities of comparing with others procured in the Orkneys, and find them to be strictly identical. Some confusion appears to have existed in reference to the specific differences of these birds; and had it been consistent with the plan of the present work, it would have been a gratification to us to have figured all the known species contained in this interesting and well-defined genus: they are, however, not numerous ;—we are not acquainted with more than two others extra-European, both of which are natives of America. The present species has hitherto been considered as the Larus parasiticus of Linneus ; and it is somewhat surprising, that its claims to a distinct specific title should so long have escaped the notice of European Ornithologists, and especially the scientific and discriminating eye of M. Temminck. We have had opportunities of examining numerous examples of both species, and also specimens of the bird figured by Edwards under the name of the Arctic Bird, Plate 148, which has legs of a bright yellow colour, and tail-feathers much more elongated. This bird we also consider to differ both from L. Richardsonii and L. parasiticus; but as it has never been known to visit Europe, further description must, in accordance with our plan, be omitted. The Lestris Richardsonii first received its specific title from Mr. Swainson, in honour of Dr. Richardson ; a figure and description of it beg published in the Fauna Boreali-Americana, part 2, p. 453; and it is with no small degree of pleasure, that our work affords us an opportunity of illustrating a bird bearing the name of so distinguished a traveller, whose arduous and indefatigable exertions have done so much for science. The Lestris Richardsonit is subject to so great a variety of changes in the colour of its plumage, that a more than usually minute detail in the description is required. The dark chocolate coloured bird figured in our Plate, characterizes at least three fourths of the specimens found breeding in the British Isles ; and from this colour to that of the light-coloured bird on the same Plate, it may be seen in all the intervening shades. Both sexes appear to be subject to the same law, and a very light-coloured male may be often seen paired with a dark female, and vice versé. We are therefore led to believe, from the circumstance of the darker-coloured birds forming the greater portion, that this colour prevails solely among young birds, yet sufficiently matured for the reproduction of the species. The young birds of the year present precisely the same disposition of markings and colouring which is so characteristic of the Lestris Pomarinus, being brown, numerously barred with transverse lines of a richer colour; the legs and a portion of that part of the web nearest the tarsus are flesh-coloured ; the other part of the membrane is black: this very conspicuous character formerly obtained for this species the name of Black-toed Gull (Larus crepidatus), an appellation which has long sunk into a synonyme. The Lestris Richardsonii is a more robust and powerful bird than the Lestris parasiticus ; and the upper surface of its plumage is darker and more uniform in colour; the two middle tail-feathers scarcely ever exceed the others more than three inches ; and the tarsus, toes, and interdigital membrane are also con- spicuously larger. Total length 21 inches; wing 13 inches; middle tail-feathers 9 inches long, exceeding the rest of the tail 3 inches; beak 14 inch; tarsus 1 inch 9 lines. A2GARAOER SY i ; id fi A ' ; ; , Les 2% ‘ . ° tel, ARSE! ; *. La " + 4 4 ‘ . : + = 3 $ rit! , : a : A ¥ a. a — : ’ iid } ‘ 1 mat ; su ‘ : , 1a ‘ ‘ iy eis FA ey Yes at af Pats ; : F ; ¢ ; sak ‘ ; FaLsieris ¢ j ; > he Mees Serve ie ve ‘5 Ant ras fy + i ' Hl H by 2, . ; ¥ | ‘ , i> seed } vi , : . . I ii * r) 7 i ‘ a s : ; ) 1 ‘? i ‘ . + . : é a i 71) ™ ‘ < ‘ | pte cn ‘ ‘ ; a) as hale: * : af : y % ff " f nde " ‘ rn ‘ rt - 7 i ‘ Unig +7; A . me ha . * > - i 4 . \d Ps : - *. Ay { * : ; ‘ : . ¢ “3 rneHY F F bai ft } tf lee aRy , ’ : J fe | J 4) j ii ‘ cf. ‘ 9 * : * ; - Le | * » . ® i F * : i Ay Tas : ; ten i at “ ‘a. yi : ‘ ‘ fl ; ‘ok ; : : . ‘ . - & ‘ } , 1 iu ni ¥ [i iT oh; rut . _ ' ves 4 “} | ih ‘ - *s 4 i H tte p 5 A ET ol . i i . ‘ ak t (‘tier Me ib Tet ee ‘ an pant HOS PRE FOE WE" MLE ae BAG et whe) 7 aadbrwtan Bee | | | b weigd eepRSE BL aR AK! 4 wile cdg ¢ Cohondie edpine’,. | Non | : - | : r / ; q iA et ss as ; J Le i ; i} i ? ¥ Ch) G mn est wag epi ne vit ‘. % ; ’ 5 , ‘ ’ Pik ue i Lees Lee 1 “yl Via AVE “4 se yh" saetn ian at i i ‘ . * ; we JF ti 41 es pee f is i i454 i yi mii ' ahi eer He sae - J | a ‘i Fr . : o> Lak See te wey Pal enue rem H wbdin) fh lies, peiene My “O a a 3 MCR 3 ete F . 7 Atgeey ives Test Hinds ‘or vant Oh rune > paithvi” PS i re | iao®, « | Te ct a a fol hehe es: ys Aha q ipa | tiie amt il, mh if erat ee : a. ial vO? ; ; Se Ais & (muy, yy) snantse..red Styserq °F LD JULI S Wa V dl wma yy £ Py ouege ca pee afi nuos] rnatiz PARASITIC GULL. Lestris parasiticus, /7/. Le Stercoraire parasite. Tuts very elegant and delicately coloured species of Lestris is, we believe, the true parasztzcus of Linneus, Buffon, and Temminck. On comparison it will be found to differ very materially from the Lestris Richardsoniz, but to which it forms the nearest approach, exhibiting, however, a well-defined specific character. Nothing can be more beautiful and complete than the regular gradation which characterizes the species of the genus Lestris : commencing with the Skua, which is the largest, a concatenation may be observed throughout the whole. As the species diminish in size, the elongated tail-feathers are still more lengthened. This character is carried to an extreme in an American species, which is rather smaller than LZ. parasiticus, and has the - central tail-feathers at least five inches longer, while in the Skua they scarcely extend beyond the remainder of the tail. We have not been able to ascertain whether the Lestris parasiticus breeds among the British Isles, and it is certainly of rare occurrence. Its natural habitat appears to be more confined to the North, viz., the shores of the Baltic Sea, the rugged coasts of Norway and the polar regions. M.Temminck informs us, that it migrates periodically into Germany, Holland and France, but mostly in its immature state. It feeds on fish, _ insects, and portions of dead cetacea, which it usually procures by harassing and buffeting unfortunate Gulls and Terns, until they are obliged to lighten their bodies by disgorging half-digested fish, &c., the fruits of the labour and search of several hours. Although it is probable that this bird undergoes variations in plumage similar to those of the Leséris Richardsonu, we are by no means able from our own knowledge to state this to be the case; as in all the specimens which we have had opportunities of examining, the markings have been clear and decided, the birds exhibiting a well-defined dark-coloured cap on the head, light under parts, and very long middle tail-feathers. The female differs but little in plumage from the male, and the young resemble in colouring the other species of the genus of the same age. The top of the head and the space between the bill and the eyes. of a deep blackish brown, terminating at the occiput, the whole of the upper surface of a clear brownish grey ; quill- and tail-feathers much darker ; the throat, neck, and under surface of a pure white, with the exception of the cheeks and sides of the neck, which are tinged with a delicate straw-yellow ; legs and feet black. Total length 21 inches ; wing 112 inches; middle tail-feathers 12 inches, exceeding the rest of the tail 62 inches; beak 14 inch; tarsus 14 inch. We have figured an adult male three fourths of the natural size. . a * J] ’ y a. - TLE b FE fi + » e we & P| . . z . = I 5 j wor oe . * é ‘ ie Ranh | tdi ; - ’ Tt d= fi ‘ a 4 hie. & . ‘ a} ‘ . . ° ’ , » » ‘ " it ¥ a +i 4 ' " evi Ih, APPR MOR g AT it he : ‘ ’ a oA, P al . Pha & | i. ‘ 4 oe as jy i " : id levi : yi = 4 : ; ern r 4 ’ : al, ; r . : he ‘ é es a P| 4 . ~ 4 é | hale ‘ bd rs 4 7: it a 6 os , " , M ui ea ti al * i . ° . - = . . , ’ 9 * i } ‘ ' sine i \ - F: ' . é : 1i% se ry 4 4 . a s , ¥ ‘ e Pd ’ > » i * ge ; Z r ¥ a J ; BM if »? j a wy ‘ - - \ ' ‘ - . vt + P . ‘ r £ years} of r ' t . . . anny , 4% a ene a . 3 4 pytaetie BY ¢ ’ ai ; y , ‘ ° : a ert , i ; = 1 — : , ys ‘ ' < : ; is iC eet Lei i * . . i : (WG ” - - I tt? : . . ; . ey i : i : hue? ire gel hewn i Pie? 3 ‘* ‘ ‘ + ‘ ’ * t ie.’* i - i 00% thaael (ORRIN a Mens Yt ee et wae Pe Te 3 ¥ ' 4 A : ‘ i r ‘ i > ‘ f . ' ; H pen A iv li he an ite i? 3 vo phy t Ps e nf ’ ’ y* ‘ A ; att | 7) e Ruy | eb Poe ? : ~% . , * H : - le mt ie $G Share aT thy art _tegl ivi a Ha! eve ! - 7 F i 7 : 5 Abs i‘ < P is Py pe Talitha eifetid e re rier Hye wh EY ee Nii 1 idee mt Che vi wae id Bi air ity Mo vue we ’ * *! ~ oe ji Pull i - i = i _ . . : ry r ba i . @ ‘ ti Ga C8 ie y Puiu’ las «aa wenk’.ds dine. bye as 4 , «iis q 7 : i IMa? “ERM Sar a gl Pl ‘ 7 : eewehy © virtha acd a rr re a, mira ‘ or : ~~ haa ee Wie Ok Peyprigyalgt oo: ou) etl e Leaiises ire ar ‘yi h Dy aot . mt t Now . Wit Wothke val vf ‘oe : : e j 2 oe i Urea, Ae = _ a Wh - lg f toi Ve c ‘ ic ey ‘ UOtT aed me ab. & al ' f tell He iL ae ite ‘Ay i he wT! wRVil TS ‘ aed 4 tny b, ty i} ipinge le; : 7 ‘ an : a i PAN Tbe 7 1 : . a ie Fig ie sn PTAA oars i 8 77, i 7? ne i" ry ve her - (o.? SEPT Rio etageees Sie ; poli iy po vail i 1 ohqtht) “ihe anna otD ; ty Moran ay pan i* vifiyecds * iG nde gn ont bibre. ote tae mn ad Ms bane AK faecal ink Mii Bs ah iL a bit’ .* ni pe doth ¢aeturte. A ne ; a a rf / ‘ 3 aan} (Poy) WUMIO PUY Ssntriyyn NL WAS VY LS i d S MIEN VIA) OTR EY MANKS SHEARWATER. Puffinus Anglorum, Ray. Le Pétrel Manks. So exclusively aquatic is this little tenant of the ocean, that the impulse of incubation alone induces it to visit terra firma, on which occasion it resorts to those portions only of the land which are washed by the surge, generally selecting such places as small islands, which, from the danger of approach and their rocky nature, are seldom made the residence of man. Whenever he does take up his abode there, the number of birds speedily diminishes ; and this is clearly shown by the total absence at the present period of this species in the Calf of Man, where in the time of Willughby and even at a later date they appear to have been very abundant. Mr. Selby is inclined to believe, and we fully concur in his opinion, that this diminution of their numbers is ‘wholly occasioned by the wanton and greedy destruction of their eggs and young, which are eagerly sought after as an article of food, the latter being considered by many a great delicacy, and eaten both fresh and salted. It is evident that the author above mentioned is not aware that this highly interesting bird is even now, during the months of summer, nearly as abundant on the coasts of South Wales as it was formerly in the Calf of Man. We are fully borne out in this assertion by the circumstance of our having received from thence, through the medium of a friend, no less than four dozens of these harmless creatures at one time, with an assurance that as many more would be forwarded if required. ‘These were all evidently captured by the hand, none of them possessing any of the usual indications of having been shot. From what information we could obtain, it appears that the Manks Shearwater visits these localities for the purpose of incubation during the early part of spring, when they resort to deserted rabbit-burrows, crevices of the rocks, &c., wherein they deposit their single white egg, and the birds then fall an easy prey to the fishermen and others. Giving a decided preference to the western coasts of our islands, they are tolerably abundant in Ireland and in the Western and Orkney Islands. After the conclusion of the breeding-season they retire southwards, even beyond the Mediterranean, where, in consequence of the increased temperature, they find a greater supply of food than they could in more rigorous climates during the season of winter. Their food consists of all kinds of marine animal substances, such as crustacea, small fishes, mollusca, &c. In its general contour, the Manks Shearwater is admirably adapted for traversing the surface of the ocean, and from the lengthened form of its wings it undoubtedly possesses great power of flight. The coast of Norway and the shores of the Baltic, although not without the presence of the Shearwater, appear to be much less frequented by it than our own islands; and in the ‘ Manuel” of M. Temminck it is stated to be a bird of very rare occurrence on the shores of Holland and France. The sexes are alike in the colour of their plumage, and the young resemble the adults at an early age. The head and whole of the upper surface is of a dark brownish black; the neck, chin, and throat trans- versely marked with indistinct lines of the same colour; all the remainder of the plumage white, with the exception of a spot of blackish brown behind the thighs; bill yellowish brown at the base, and dark brown at the tip; legs and feet brown; irides hazel. The Plate represents an adult male of the natural size. iy oe phy: yer tena: a (eee svete: eek, to ita ae sai te fla r ty. vee beat pe ink vith: 68 yk ATS ADAG ye ct to elqaie henge fafa host ai wil Dees modeds be TEAS ati ul vara aft pa hus. can i LY dor eepeedtd alt bien pares {i wt iy singupet ical dhiarndat viet a vend yay Lis hid (F225. %. usllal De pascal { uf ee ‘gh ‘i & 0 cohignat & it sawortd foo iia oe oy ols he bak tabiit y AE c Ww ahead il eh ch sah ' hotel d ig M Cee i7 Peskic’ ; r é i a Tie ve ag Peal sea ay \ Se iy wi aay hat, caw . Lar, vk : ‘ 4 3 ah J ‘Depron 7 hy waning STLIMOS qo STULL “dea LVMUV AHS AWSOd WDD TY LQ BULGE Uo Y avripofy Any) UM T DUSKY SHEARWATER. Puffinus obscurus. Le Petrel obscur. Tur Dusky Shearwater so closely resembles the preceding species both in form and colouring that its diminutive size may be said to constitute the only difference by which it is distinguished from that bird; no doubt, however, exists in our minds as to their being really distinct. The two species are moreover inhabitants of different parts of the globe, the Puffinus Anglorum being almost confined to the northern seas, while the Puffinus obscurus is equally confined to the southern, and rarely found further north than the Mediterranean, on the European shores of which sea most of the European examples have been procured. It is more abundant on the shores of Africa, extending from the Cape of Good Hope to its northern boundary: Africa then may be considered as its natural habitat. The sexes do not appear to differ in external appearance, nor are the young of the first year distinguished by any particular plumage. In habits and manners this species is supposed closely to resemble the Puffinus Anglorum, but on these points little or nothing is at present known. Crown of the head, ear-coverts, all the upper surface, wings and tail sooty black ; sides of the face and throat transversely marked with indistinct lines of the same colour ; all the remainder of the plumage white ; bill lead-colour at the base, becoming black towards the tip; feet olive; external web light olive. We have figured an adult of the natural size. hha btowrieldhgAoitl See ¢ A a b dita “AES Pele 3 iil si VAM Het ihe ali? Gt sa alien ine He EEA hate vin’ ay +i) tony atl te ar lay tithe “Gvealnda Sibot Beintuteo diawps # hee 4110 O faunl Ave dolly ‘tomeavoda hides orn Es chided ieagaied ett ae ub potae uae cptelieril hy set pet oep Wade et esd ate Alin fk aie . tivacen fash Ueto ter atl efalive ! shy as tyr aiiiial alronre-seay fasi® aiff To soa) piu sani? qamveiour diiye Leneirat-e Geis ieniee Innit lonmiut duuld qatgauadt apnea tm UiGltmebaal (fie Le, gue fey tae ih Tiree wirarl oF iv et Mea Ee gtd a‘ ’ ' (YMC) § SVOLIUT SOUT 7 . Ul GL WAC AALS) SOL) CE ND CINEREOUS SHEARWATER. Puffinus cinereus, Steph. Le Petrel Puffin. Ir it should ultimately appear that the bird obtained by Mr. Strickland from the Tees mouth, and charac- terized by him, in the Proceedings of the Zool. Soc. for 1832, under the new specific title of Pujfinus fuliginosus, is identical with the young of Puffinus cinereus, a circumstance which is by no means unlikely; and if a bird apparently in the adult plumage, subsequently obtained by the same gentleman, should prove to be the adult of this species, we shall have, with the addition of a specimen obtained by Mr. Selby, three examples of British-killed specimens of this species. Wath respect to the specimens forwarded by Mr. Strickland, and which we have figured, we have to observe, that these two birds, although agreeing in their admeasure- ments with each other, differ slightly from a specimen of Puffinus cinereus sent to us by M. Temminck as an undoubted example of that species, Mr. Strickland’s specimens being less in all their admeasurements ; and could we have discovered any difference in the markings of their plumage, we should have had no hesitation in regarding them as distinct: as it is, we have here figured both Mr. Strickland’s birds as one and the same species, but with a mark of doubt as to their being examples of the true Puffinus cinereus. The range of the true Puffinus cinereus according to M. Temminck is very extensive: “‘it is spread through- out the Mediterranean, it often appears on the southern coast of Spain and on those of Provence, where many individuals have been killed. It is never seen in the Adriatic. Specimens killed in Senegal and those from the Cape of Good Hope differ in no respect from those killed in Provence. The habits and manners as well as the food of this species do not differ from those of its nearly allied species the Manx Shear- water, Pufinus Anglorum, which, as is well known, feeds on all kinds of marine animal matter in a state of putrescency. | } | The head, cheeks, and all the upper surface pale ash grey, the edges of the feathers on the back being lighter on their external margins, the scapulars, wings, and tail darker; quills deep black; on the sides of the neck and chest are waves of light grey; under-surface pure white; beak yellowish, becoming browner towards the tip; feet and interdigital membrane livid yellow, the webs lightest in colour; irides brown. Our figures are rather less than the natural size. wrneg zp / fig meee ue ree yz wens uMrauyy funy / ‘suppres BILE TPOOOL | "THU L te WV TNA | ee Genus PROCELLARIA. Gen. Cuar. Beak thick, dilated at the tip, sulcated ; the upper mandible hooked ; the lower straight and slightly truncated. _Mostri/s united in a single tube. Legs moderate; a claw only in place of the hind toe. FULMAR PETREL. Procellaria glacialis, Lenn. Le Petrel Fulmar. Tue genus Procellaria, in which Linnzus placed all the oceanic birds possessing tubular nostrils, and which now form an extensive and well-defined family, has been subsequently divided by naturalists into several minor groups; and we find that in Europe alone there exist examples which illustrate three genera, viz. Procellaria (as now restricted), Puffinus, and Thalassidroma. The Fulmar Petrel constitutes the type of the genus to which it is assigned, and appears to form the passage to the true Gulls by the interposition of the birds composing the genus Lesér7s. How plainly does the present bird exemplify the wisdom which Nature has exhibited in the creation of all her subjects! It is in the almost impenetrable polar regions, among floating fields and bergs of ice, often at a great distance from the land, that the Fulmar finds its true and natural habitat ; and in order to enable it to endure the severities of the hardest seasons in these northern latitudes, Nature has afforded it every necessary protection by clothing it in a thick and warm mass of down and feathers of an oily nature, thus precluding cold and moisture. Although the polar regions constitute its native locality, it is nevertheless found, but in much less abundance, in more temperate climates, such as the northern seas of Europe and America, extending itself throughout the lengthened coast of Norway, and not unfrequently Holland and France. It frequents also the northern isles of Great Britain, resorting to the Orkney and Hebrides for the purpose of breeding, but particularly to the Island of St. Kilda. The food of the Fulmar consists of fish, mollusca, vermes, and the fat of dead cetacea; it will also devour any oily substance or refuse thrown from vessels, which it fearlessly follows, particularly those engaged in the whale fisheries ; and hence during the season it obtains an easy and bountiful subsistence. They are very active and buoyant on the water, and their powers of flight are considerable. Their mode of living renders the flesh very disagreeable and unfit for use. Their stomach and body appear to be continually saturated with oil; and the circumstance of their being able to eject or discharge a quantity of this fluid from their nostrils, when irritated or attacked, is both singular and curious. This power appears to have been given them as a mode of defence, and is characteristic of the whole of the family, from the largest species to the elegant Stormy Petrel; and even this little creature has the power of squirting out an oily fluid from its nostrils with considerable force. The Fulmar lays one white egg on the grassy ledges of the rocks and cliffs of our northern islands. They make no nest; the egg is very large compared with the size of the bird, and has a strong musky smell, which it retains for some time. Our figure represents the plumage of an adult bird ; young birds of the year have the back and wings varied with light grey and brown. ety vel palopage: cal these sth sonnel ie it ae } oo on adit dente el) oslet aie te it ioe ae ; tie bart mah pepucouappary 7 hig poping preg TRL hp eunge no yp axngyyr uo [remoug (98) “eae d wuroxprsyeyeq y, ‘UYpveyT BVULOIpIsyepeyy, "Ta WL ad ITU OLS NO FTI Oy Ta a ad -WWOLS Ca IVL-wmwoOd Genus THALASSIDROMA. Gen. Cuar. Boll shorter than the head; much compressed in front of the nasal sheath, with the tip of the upper mandible suddenly curving and hooking downwards, and that of the lower one slightly angulated and following the curve of the upper. Nos¢ri/s contained in one tube or sheath, but showing two distinct orifices in front. Wangs long and acuminate, with the first quill shorter than the third, the second being the longest. Taz/ square or slightly forked. Legs having the tarsi rather long and slender, reticulated. Feet of three toes, united by a membrane; hind toe represented by a small, straight, dependent nail. FORK-TAILED STORM PETREL. Thalassidroma Leachii. Le Petrel de Leach. Tue first discovery of this Petrel in Europe is due to the researches of Mr. Bullock, who, in the year 1818, while on a tour through the northern and western isles of Scotland, found it breeding on the island of St. Kilda, whence he brought the original specimen from which M. Temminck took his description. In his ‘ Manuel d’ Ornithologie,’ under the article alluded to, he dedicates the bird to Dr. Leach by the title of Procellaria Leachti. Since the period of its first discovery, when it appeared to be a bird of extreme rarity, it has been found, and that not unfrequently, on most parts of the British coast, and in the channel inter- vening between our island and the Continent. In its habits, manners, food, and nidification it so strictly resembles the Common Storm Petrel that the same description will serve for both. It differs from that bird, as also from all other European Storm Petrels, in being one of the largest in size, in having a forked tail, and remarkably short tarsi. The colour of the plumage is a sooty black, with the under tail-coverts and a patch on the rump white. COMMON STORM PETREL. Thalassidroma pelagica, Sedby. Le Petrel tempéte. Tuts, the least of web-footed birds, though by no means the least important, has been long celebrated by the name of ‘“ Mother Carey’s Chicken,” bestowed upon it by the British sailors, as the foreboder of storm and tempest to the mariner. The habits and manners of this singular group of birds may be described as being both nocturnal and oceanic. During the bright glare of day they conceal themselves in the crevices of rocks, stones, &c., from whence they depart on the approach of evening, and skim over the surface of the sea in search of food: approaching storms and dull murky weather also rouse them from their retreats to visit their congenial element; hence it is that when seen at a distance from the shore they intimate the approach of gales and severe weather. When out at sea they appear partial to the company of ships, which they follow for days together, and, surprising to say, are never seen to settle on the water; in fact, the only period of rest they appear to allow their organs of flight is while, with extended wing, they skim, half flying half trippmg, over the surface of the billows; and it would appear as if the bones of the legs were expressly formed for this manceuvre, being sufficiently flexible to bend without breaking to any opposing pressure or sudden concussion. While skimming around ships they pick up any refuse oily matters that may be thrown overboard, and also any of the small mollusca that may be brought to the surface by the agitation of the water which the vessel occasions in her progress. . The Common Storm Petrel is abundant over the whole of the northern seas of Europe, especially in the rocky islands of Scotland, where it breeds in the crevices of rocks, among loose stones, and occasionally in holes on the ground, generally laying a single egg of a pure white. The young remain in their retreats until their pinions are sufficiently strong for flight, and it is a considerable period before they are able to follow their parents. The adults of both sexes are alike in plumage, which is invariably of a sooty black, with a white spot on the rump; the bill and tarsi black. We have figured an adult of each species, of the natural size. ry Pela, 7 aw E ., Fs mo " * repitetiy tai: | t ie) } : a x mi § ' Lj ¥ P bs 4 My \ b F $ ld ae 1 at Bk if 7 f sot a, s A ee a ry f* 4:40 cat ; fae f ryt ih ; j : \ 7 a’ UE op ed Le ie ; ; ; P 4 ar . ‘' f an = * , P ' ‘4 r wae ae ay ~ a! : f ‘ & “4 < i a - . 2 i. ' ih *. * ‘ ra . r i ae x ‘ : i ‘ i a ; be * a ; i * 5 3 Le * * Af ! ' y ih “4d " . . * * = : ‘ ‘ . , t: \ , i ‘ 1 ' - ) “ iin’ ' , * ' . ‘ ‘ ‘ « \ 1 3 * . . . 4 + 4 ’ t ‘ 3 \ * M . , e F; . , - . - + ~~ { ‘ ® 1 AN * -, J r . = ee \ % ¥ - A : + : i tee : “4 . - od i Cie 4 ' i ‘ * f T ( ‘| 4 ; * ‘ A > : ' 1 é f 1 ‘ Br ehh tle ; J f : : ; ey ie wides 5 ‘ ey Ih re le i a ) . man | fgund ab Goal Vee. mallet ie ae ! ‘ ‘ ¥ - f © hts a i ; . ay tam Wales Tae vege , 5 he il 7 ‘ ‘ . } ‘ ' ‘ ‘(qt : | i y : ‘ ee ¥ A ‘ ae ye 6 7 F ; . 7 c . * _« 4 a i ¥ ie a 4 pid. Se spire ; len yea of pepuuayny 2 ha pansy : pynog iz 9 php wnogieneo x aarypoyy auos ume TOM 4 PULOIpTsyeyeY ; "TAS Ud S SH AMT & BULWER’S PETREL. Thalassidroma? Bulwerii. Procellaria Bulwerii, Jard. & Selby. Ow the authority of Col. Dalton of Slenningford, near Ripon, we are enabled to add this rare species to the Fauna of Britain, from a fine specimen which was found on the banks of the Ure, near Tanfield in Yorkshire, on the 8th of May, 1837, and which could not have been long dead, as it admitted of being mounted into a good cabinet specimen. It is now in the possession of Col. Dalton, who doubtless regards it as one of the greatest treasures in British ornithology. In fact, with the exception of one or two foreign examples, we do not recollect that we have observed it among the numerous collections we have had opportunities of examining. The only recorded facts relative to its history will be found in the second volume of ‘Illustrations of Orni- thology,’ by Sir William Jardine and Mr. Selby, in which publication the bird is figured from a specimen sent from Madeira by Mr. Bulwer, after whom it has been named. As it is stated to be an inhabitant of Madeira and the adjacent islands, we may infer that the seas bounding the western shores of Africa constitute its true habitat. The cuneated form of its tail and its large size will readily distinguish it from all the other species of its genus. We cannot conclude our account of this bird without offering our sincere thanks to Colonel Dalton for the loan of his specimen for the purpose of illustration as well as to C. C. Oxley, Esq., of Ripon, who in this instance and upon all other occasions has taken a kind and friendly interest in the present work. The whole of the plumage is of a deep sooty black, becoming paler upon the throat, and brown on the edges of the greater wing-coverts ; bill black ; legs and feet blackish brown. Our figure is of the natural size. Ja) to whodi sin i aunt dine To Sana tn 3 a! oe : tf. LRA 6 hig alt ire Hptiisnia 1 ff Byte! it oe Til} ethos ato) Dobyosa7 ylnd. Sa ili VF anette “euoleniie al oro ion tase Hai ou) ha ont 15. pina Lieve f ay te Bi vine Poi aff’ } sie ali, Wa aati, ih, abalone toca MS 5 spilt oP namsae aid ‘to anol 190 tte. Mn dodpa Diu asaniac uly Git tesla: oF ; atin ih To. euley lois : aes : vitae GUTS sf oiitull yee en :s ae ’ We ne: es a te th ey ce a, as 3p 7 * ; eee es Katee ans os 2 ¢ : Mees ] oe we ays ae ane Ge, 2 ree ees