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RORSEHE, PE @REE
FOR EDVCATION
FOR SCIENCE
~ LIBRARY
OF
THE AMERICAN MUSEUM
OF
NATURAL HISTORY
BY GIFT OF
OGDEN MILLS
LIGRARY
: > aa
If 5/]iqr4 | eeholed ip LITER IC)
COLOURED FIGURES
BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS,
ISSUED BY
OT De TOR ESA is.p EDC,
PRESIDENT OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION.
VOLUME IV.
LONDON:
R. H. PORTER, 7 PRINCES STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE, W.
1885—1897.
24-93963-San.\
ALERK (4 FLAMMAM.
PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS,
RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET.
CONTENTS OF VOLUME
TITLEPAGE .
ConrENTS
—_— %
Cotuation or Epirions .
List or Paves
PLATES
Text .
IV.
i=
CODA TON: OF HDI TONS:
Turis Work was issued in two Editions: the First commenced
October 1885, and the Second April 1891, both LEditions ending
simultaneously ; the Plates in Volume IV. appeared as follows :—
1st Edition. and Edition.
PART PART
WSHORE-DARK.......... XVI. Sept. 1890. XVII. Noy. 1892.
OMS RAVING oie, ay s.5) e.s lelere 's FS 55 PS 3
3. Crustrp Lark........ XXXIV. Apr. 1897. XXXIV. Apr. 1897.
4, Woop-Lark.......... IV. Jan. 1887. [Vine VApraLegie
5. SHort-ronp Lark .... XVII. Feb. 1891. XXII. June 1893.
6. Wuirr-winerp Lark .. XVI. Sept. 1890. XVII. Noy. 1892.
7. Snow-Buntine........ XVII. Feb. 1891. XXII. June 1893.
Sy 9p 55!" gale anid ms = 5
9. Lapnanp Bunrine .... * 55 5 A
10. Runp-Buntine........ V. June 1887. V. June 1891.
11. Rustico Buntine ...... Wake Apr. 1888. VI. %
12. Livtin Buntine ...... V. June 1887. Vv. “4
13. Corn-BUNTING........ a 5 3 .s
14. Yuttow Hammour...... VI. Apr. 1888. VI. a
15. Crk Bunting ........ 5 .S * .
16. Orronan Buntine .... V. June 1887. Wg 5
17. Branpr’s Bunting .... XXXIII. Nov. 1896. XXXIII. Nov. 1896.
18. Brack-nnaprp Bunrine. VI. Apr. 1888. VI. June 1891.
NG), Chigainyoizt) Boopnoods VIII. Nov. 1888. VIII. Aug. 1891.
208 BRAMBLING .......... XXXII. Apr. 1896. XXXII. Apr. 1896.
21. Common or Hovuss- VI. Apr. 1888. VI. June 1891.
SPARROW.
22. Trun-SPaRROW .......- Ix. Dec. 1888. IX. Oct. 1891.
ORME LEASW ADIN CHG.) «oye c's) ees XVI. Sept. 1890. XVII. Nov. 1892.
DAT GRHENFINCH .......... XIV. May 1890. XVI. 5
25; SPN oso qoeuasoob00De XVI. Sept. 1890. XVI. me
DOMGOLDEINGOH . 552.05. XV. July 1890. XXI. May 1893.
O/, SEVER ao goo pees Eo oo XIV. May 1890. XVI. Noy. 1892.
28. Muaty REDPOLL ...... XV. July 1890. XXI. May 1893.
29. ; Al eer sion XXX. Feb. 1895. XXX. Feb. 1895.
30. Lussrr REDPOLL ...... XII. Mar. 1890. XI. June 1892.
vi
COLLATION OF EDITIONS.
. Common or Brown
LINNET.
2. Twirn or Mounrarn-
Linner.
h AoLNMUNGK gGouguaoous
4, NorrHern BULLFINCH. .
. SCARLET GROSBHAK ....
. Prye-GROSBEAK ......
WL OROSSBEUL eee ceo
. TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL .
. Woop-Pignon or Rine-
Dovn.
LS SimoCKEIDIONA Gocooacned
OOK) Ovinlererraieneren:
2, TurRTLE-DoOVE ........
. PaLLAs’s SAND-GROUSD.
. CAPERCAILLIN ........
, BuAck GROUSH..«......
SR ED, GROUSHMee eee
UEDA MTGIAIN | cleereniciensices
Hh 2600 O00 010-0
S '-ad000000-000
b IMME SG bog odobddoC
. Cutyesp RING-NECKED
PHBASAN'.
. Common or Gry Par-
TRIDGH.,
. RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE.
se QUAM Uievetata te hyevetseesr crate
. Corn-CrakeE or Lanp-
Rain.
. SPOTTED CRAKE ......
. Littin CRAKE ...... ;
3” Po oh od-cog5
. Bartnuton’s CRAKE......
SWAT RATT rien snore
. Warpr-Hun or Moor-
Hen.
. PURPLE GALLINULE....
Bae COOT ayasniesa ee eee
. Common CRANE ......
. DEMOISELLE CRANE....
1st Edition.
PARTY
\Y/LU
XIII.
XXXL
XxX. Dee: 1/891.
XXX. Feb. 1895.
XXVIII. Sept. 1894.
XVII. Feb. 1891.
XXVIII. Sept. 1894.
VIL. Sept. 1888.
XVIII. Apr. 1891.
IX. Dec. 1888.
XXXIII. Nov. 1896.
IDG Dec. 1888.
VIII. Nov. 1888.
XXVII. Dee. 1893.
XIV. May 1890.
XVII. Feb. 1891.
XX. Dee. 1891.
XXVII. Dec. 1893.
XX. Dec. 1891.
XIX. July 1891.
XXXV. Nov. 1897.
XXXI. June 1895.
XII Jan. 1890.
Sept. 1888.
Mar. 1890.
Noy. 1888.
(I. Nov. 1896.
May 1890.
. Apr. 1896.
Feb. 1891.
. July 1891.
. Apr. 1896.
”
2nd Edition.
PART
VI. July 1891,
XIII. Junel892.
VIII. Aug. 1891.
XXXIII. Noy. 1896.
XVI. Novy. 1892.
XXXII. Apr. 1896.
XXII. June 18938.
XII. May 1892.
XXXII. Apr. 1896.
XIV. July 1892.
XXX. Feb. 1&95.
XXVIII. Sept. 1894.
XXII. June 1893.
XXVIII. Sept. 1894.
VI. July 1891.
XIX. Feb. 1893.
IDG Oct. 1891.
XXXIII. Noy. 1896.
IX. Oct. 1891.
VIII. Aug. 1891.
XXVI. Dec. 1893.
XVI. Nov. 1892:
XXII. June 1893.
XIV. July 1892.
XXVI. Dee. 1893.
XIV. July 1892.
XII. May 1892.
XXXV. Nov. 1897.
XXXI. June 1895.
XXVII. Aug. 1894,
”
iS Ok Se AES
IN VOLUME IV.
Suore-Lark. Otocorys alpestris (Linn.)
Sky-Lark. Alauda arvensis, Linn.
Crestrp Lark. Alauda cristata, Linn. .
Woop-Lark. Alauda arborea, Linn.
Suort-torp Larn. Calandrella br ackyaacnyta
(Leisler) Bet tes : F
Wnhuirr-winerp Lark. Melanocorypha lencpter a
(Pallas)
Snow-Buntine. Plectrophanes nivalis Gann:
Summer :
Do. Do. Winter.
Corn-Buntine. LEmberiza miliaria, Linn. .
Yettow Hammer. Lmberiza citrinella, Linn.
. Crrt Buntine. LEmberiza civlus, Linn. .
. Ortotan Buntine. LEmberiza hortulana, Linn.
. Branpv’s Buntine. Eméberiza cioides, Brandt
. Buack-wrapEp Buntine. Emberiza melanocephala,
Scop.
he
. Larnanp Buntine. Lmberiza lapponica (Linn.) .
. Renp-Buntine. Emberiza scheniclus, Linn. .
. Rustic Buntine. Emberiza rustica, Pall. .
. Lirtte Buntine. Hmberiza pusilla, Pall. .
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PLATES IN VOL. IV.
To faco
9. Cuarrincn. Fringilla celebs, Linn.
BrameBiine. Fringilla montifringilla, Linn.
. Common or Hovusn-Sparrow. Passer domesticus
(lb) Go “of Gc 'o: 0 Oo oo 0 6
. Trev-Sparrow. Passer montanus (Linn.)
3. Hawrincu. Coccothraustes vulgaris, Pallas
GreenrincnH. Fringilla chloris, Briss. . . . .
Serin. Fringilla serinus, Linn.
Gouprincnu. Carduelis elegans, Stephens
. Siskin. Fringilla spinus, Linn. sbeueers
Meaty Reprotn. Fringilla ian Meee Sieg ae
Do. (Arctic race). Linota hornemanni, Iolboll
Lesser Reproit. Linota rufescens (Vieill.)
. Common or Brown Linner. Linota cannabina
(Eis) Ss eee iene ec eee ere
Twitr or Movunvrarn-Linner. Linota flavi-
PRAMS (LAN) 5 5 o o 5 6 0
. Bunirincn. Pyrrhula vulgaris, Temm. .
. Nortuern Buuirincw. Pyrrhula mapor, C. i,
Brehmag) ohh hee ese Wien ea Mien wc tee meee
Scarier Grosspnak. Pyrrhula erythrina, Pallas
. Pinz-Grospean. Pyrrhula enucleator (Linn.) .
. Crosspitz. Lowia curvirostra, Linn. . .
. Two-Barrep Crosssitt. Lowia bifasciata, c. ibe
Brehm aye eer ee
. Woov-Pieron or Rinc-Dove. Columba palumbus,
Tuinins “7, Ai, tee ae eee eee ane om
Strock-Dove. Columba enas, Linn.
. Rocx-Dove. Columba livia, J. ¥. Gmelin. . .
. Turtir-Dove. Turtw: communis, Selby . . .
. Patuas’s Sanp-Grouse. Syrrhaptes paradoxus
(Pall) 3." Size ee a es pia ect
. Carercartuin. Tetrao urogallus, Linn... . .
. Buack Grouse. Tetrao tetriz, linn. . .. .
. Rep Grouse. Lagopus scoticus (Lath.) .
page
36
37
101
106
107
PLATES IN VOL. IV. ix
To face
page
47. Prarmican. Lagopus mutus (Montin). Summer ra
AR}, Do) IDO, ANUS 5 6 o 6 0 » o 0 ooullly
49. Do. Do. Winter hinge Fe 5
50. Puvasant. Phasianus colchicus, Linn. . . . . 114
51. Curnese Rine-nuckep Pueasane. Phasianus tor-
CORD, Vo No Exaeliin 5 6 o 6 9 0 9 0 o ING
52. Common or Grey Parrriper. Perdix cinerea,
Wath nevis Utes SAed aeas rete en LS
58. Rep-teccep Parrriper. Caccabis rufa (Linn.) . 120
54. Quart. Coturnix communis, Bonnaterre . . . 121
55. Corn-Craxe or Lanp-Rait. Crex pratensis,
TBO: |G AG BSL Sareea gh we tbe eo or oe AD
56. Seorrep Crake. Crex porzana (Linn.) . . . 130
57. Lirrtr Crake. Crex pusilla (Bechst.) . . . ‘} 134.
58. Do. Do. : Seotnty fe
59. Bartuon’s Crane. Crewx bailloni (Vieillot) . . 185
60. Warer-Ratt. Rallus aquaticus, Linn. . . . . 189
61. Warer-Hen or Moor-Hen. Gallinula chloropus
(inns) ese rae 3) Neen sitesi 141
62. Purete Gatiinute. Porphyrio ceruleus(Vandelli) 146
GR Coom: Jaen Gari, Win, 9 56 5 co o 0 0 o Jey
64. Common Crane. Grus communis, Bechst.. . . I51
65. Drmoisette Crane. Grus virgo (Linn.) . . . 153
* Referred to in the text as Plates 10 and 11, being the order in
which they were issued in Part LX.
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SHORE-LARK.
OTOCORYS ALPESTRIS (Linn.).
Alauda alpestris, Linn. S. N. i. p. 289 (1766) ; Naum. iv.
p-. 149; Macg. ui. p. 159; Hewitson, i. p. 178*.
Otocorys alpestris, Yarr. ed. 4, i. p. 604; Dresser, iv. p. 387.
Berg-Lerche, Alpen-Lerche, German.
The Shore-Lark is something more than an occasional
strageler to the British Isles; but it cannot be claimed
as a regular winter visitor, though rarely a season passes
without several specimens being obtained on our coasts,
and in some years great numbers have been netted and
shot. It is a strictly cireumpolar bird, breeding in
the Arctic Circle all round the northern coasts of
_ Europe, Asia, and America; but wandering along the
shores or on the sandy plains of Western and Central
Europe in winter, in larger or smaller flocks, never re-
maining long in one district.
This is one of the few birds which appears to be
increasing in numbers, certainly in the numbers which
visit our coasts, these visits being confined to the
eastern and southern shores of Britain. ‘The breeding-
habits of the Shore-Lark have been fully described by
various Siberian and N. American explorers. The
manners and flight of this bird closely resemble those
of the Sky-Lark, singing as it mounts into the air ; but
also often singing on the ground. The song is musical
and soft, not so powerful as that of the Sky-Lark; and
Mr. Wolley remarks that it often sings in Lapland
perched on the top of a railora barn. There is no
authentic record of the Shore-Lark having occurred
either on the west coast of Great Britain or in Ireland.
eM
J. G Keulemang del. et hth
Mintern Bros . imp.
SUKGYS SAU ReKee
Alauda arvensis, Lin.
SKY-LARK™*,
ALAUDA ARVENSIS, Linn.
Alauda arvensis, Linn. S. N. i. p. 287 (1766) ; Naum. iv.
p- 156; Macg. ii. p. 163; Hewitson, i. p. 176; Yarr.
ed. 4,1. p. 614; Dresser, iv. p. 307.
Alouette des Champs, French; Feld-Lerche, Lerche, German ;
Alondra, Zurriaga, Terrera, Spanish.
Too universally distributed to be unknown, too
conspicuous to be unnoticed, too attractive to remain
unadmired or unappreciated, the Sky-Lark needs no
description. There is no corner of the British Isles
which is not enlivened by his song, for his numbers do
not perceptibly diminish, albeit to his other attractions
he adds, unfortunately for himself, the reputation of
being a savoury morsel for the gourmand, and a profit-
able investment for the professional birdeatcher. The
extension of cultivation, which has probably caused the
diminution of the Goldfinch and other species, by de-
stroying the plants which formed their favourite food,
has operated in favour of the Sky-Lark, which delights
* T consider it fair to my Subscribers to state that in this article,
and a few others on the family of Larks, I have called in the aid
of the able and ever ready pen of a far more competent and expe-
rienced writer than myself.—Linrorp.
especially in open cornfields, though equally at home
everywhere excepting in woods or plantations. While
many remain in the same quarters throughout the year,
yet their numbers are largely reinforeed by migration in
the spring and autumn. In these migrations the males
appear generally to precede the females. You may see
the Sky-Larks, who have been scattered in pairs and
families through the spring and summer, as autumn
approaches assembling in vast flocks, both on the
stubble of cornfields and near the sea-shore.
An interesting illustration of discrimimating instinct
in the Sky-Lark is noticed by Professor Newton, who
observes that ‘the appearance of a Merlin will cause a
sudden cessation of the song, at whatever height the
performer may be, his wings are closed, and he drops
to the earth like a falling stone; the Kestrel, however,
is treated with indifference, and in the presence of a
Sparrow-Hawk the Sky-Lark knows that safety is to be
sought aloft.”
The Sky-Lark usually scrapes a hollow in the ground
for her nest, which is generally placed under the shelter
of a tuft of grass or a clod. In the north of England
the Sky-Larks generally remain in flocks in the open
fields until the first fall of snow, when they promptly
retire to the south. In mild seasons, like that of
1889-90, a few remain in Northumberland throughout
the winter.
CRESTED LARK.
ALAUDA CRISTATA, Linn.
Alauda cristata, Linn. 8S. N. i. p. 288 (1766); Naum. iv.
p. 184; Hewitson, i. p. 178; Yarr. ed. 4, i. p. 682.
Galerita cristata, Dresser, iv. p. 285.
Cochevis huppé, French; Cujada, Carretera, Spanish ;
Haubenlerche, German.
Though the Crested Lark is a common bird on the
Continent of Europe as close to our shores as Holland,
Belgium, and the North of France, not a dozen authenti-
cated instances of its occurrence in England have been
recorded, and these, almost without exception, have been
noted in our southern counties im autumn and winter.
This Lark is very abundant in Central and Southern
Europe and throughout North Africa, and its profusion
was noted by Lord Lilford in Spain and Cyprus.
‘Towards the Sahara and in the Hast closely allied forms
are found, which are not easily discriminated from the
present species. [O. S.]
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WOOD-LARK.
ALAUDA ARBOREA, Linn.
Alauda arborea, Linn. 8S. N. i. p. 2&7 (1766) ; Naum. iv.
p. 192; Macg. ii. p. 174; Hewitson, i. p. 179; Yarr.
ed. 4, i. p. 625; Dresser, iv. p. 321.
Alouette lulu, French; Baumlerche, Heidelerche, German ;
Alondra de Monte, Spanish.
Not abundant in any part of Great Britain, resident
in certain localities, migrating im others.
Is recorded
as only a winter visitor to Ireland.
“UM AVT : BIAOGLe Ppn eLW
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SHORT-TOED LARK.
CALANDRELLA BRACHYDACTYLA (Leisler).
Alauda brachydactila, Leister, Ann. d. Wett. Ges. f. d. ges.
Nat. iii. p. 357 (1814).
Alauda brachydactyla, Naum. iv. p. 188 ; Hewitson, i. p. 181.
Calandrella brachydactyla, Yarr. ed. 4, i. p. 637; Dresser, iv.
p. 341.
Calandrelle, French; Kurzzehige Lerche, German ; Ter-
rera, Terreruela Calandreta, Spanish.
The recorded occurrences of this species in our
country are very few, as may naturally be expected
in the case of a bird whose habitat lies in Southern
Europe and North Africa. The Short-toed Lark is
extremely common, and, I believe, a permanent resident
in the open country of Central and Southern Spain, and
prefers the frequent expanses of sandy moorland and
waste ground to the cultivated districts, although, in
the autumn, winter, and early spring, it may be met
with in flocks on the fallows, consorting with other
species. I have always found this Lark to be one of
the most confiding and fearless of birds, in fact it will
hardly get out of the way of a horse, and in the summer
will generally allow of a very close approach on foot ;
when at length disturbed it only flies to a short distance
with a low twittermg note. The regular song of this
bird is by no means unpleasing, though not powerful;
it is uttered from the ground as well as when the bird
is on wing.
In the pairing-season the Short-toed Lark soars to a
considerable height, singing as it mounts, after the
manner of our well-known Sky-Lark. The nests of
this species that have come under my observation were
all situated in depressions on very bare sandy soil, often
in a hoof-print, once or twice under a clot of the dried
dung of horses or cattle; the materials of the nest are
scanty—a few dry bents or coarse grass-stems, with a
lining of hair, and an occasional feather or two, generally
those of the Pintailed Sand-Grouse (P/erocles alchata),
seeming to satisfy the requirements of this little dweller
in the waste.
The eggs, generally four in number, are white,
thickly spotted with light ashy brown.
WHITE-WINGED LARK.
MELANOCORYPHA LEUCOPTERA, Pallas.
Melanocorypha leucoptera, Pallas, Zoogr. Rosso-As. i. p. 518,
no. 147, pl. xxxil. fig. 2 (1831).
Melanocorypha sibirica, Yarr. ed. 4,1. p. 642; Dresser, iv.
p. 373.
Once only has the White-winged Lark been obtained
in the British Isles, at Brighton on the 22nd November,
1869, where it was consorting with a flock of Snow-
Buntings. It is equally accidental in Western Europe,
there being only three instances on record, one of these
being, of course, on Heligoland. It is one of the
numerous species of desert or steppe Larks inhabiting
the plateaus of Central and Northern Asia, where it is
a migrant.
First discovered by Pallas on the Irtish, scarcely any
further information has been added by subsequent
writers to the account of the Russian pioneer of 120
years ago. In its song and flight it resembles the
Sky-Lark, though with a feebler note, and, like the
Crested Lark, frequents roadsides. Its nest is formed
of grass, and placed in some slight depression in the
ground.
nD .
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LARK.
pha leucoptera (Pallas),
“WINGED
WiELGIUE:
Melanocory
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i.
SNOW-BUNTING.
PLECTROPHANES NIVALIS (Linn.).
Emberiza nivalis, Linn. 8. N. i. p. 808 (1766) ; Naum. iv.
p. 297.
Plectrophanes nivalis, Macg. 1. p. 460; Hewitson, i. p. 184;
Yarr. ed. 4, ii. p. 1; Dresser, iv. p. 261.
Ortolan de neige, French; Schnee-Ammer, German.
This pretty bird is best known in our islands as
a winter visitor, occasionally occurring in very large
numbers during that season on our eastern coasts, but
the long-suspected fact of its nesting in Scotland, though
no doubt no uncommon occurrence, has only been
satisfactorily proved within the last few years. I must
confess with sorrow that my personal acquaintance with
the Snow-Bunting in a wild state being limited to an
occasional meeting with a few scattered individuals in
the highlands of Inverness-shire in the late autumn, I
am not competent to enter into any details as to its
habits. In captivity I have found this species tame,
sluggish, and greedy; most of those that I have kept
caged have succumbed to plethora in a few months. A
very interesting account of the discovery of a nest of the
Snow- Bunting in Scotland is given at pp. 138, 139 of
Messrs. Harvie Brown and 'T. HE. Buckley’s ‘ Vertebrate
Fauna of Sutherland and Caithness.’
“yp “AMIN “AL COUNT
‘Cuury) styeatu souvydo.sjoayg
wuuns ‘SNILNOG@ — MONS
\
Litho. W. Greve, Berlin.
SNOW -— BUNTING, winter.
Plectrophanes nivalis (Linn).
ea hoe - % “Sie” Ty,
LAPLAND BUNTING.
EMBERIZA LAPPONICA (Linn.).
Fringilla lapponica, Linn. 8. N. i. p. 317 (1766).
Emberiza lapponica, Nawm. iv. p. 319.
Plectrophanes lapponica, Macg. i. p. 469; Hewitson, i. p. 182.
Plectrophanes lapponicus, Yarr. ed. 4, ii. p. 15; Dresser, iv.
p. 253.
Lerchen- Ammer, German.
An uncommon autumnal visitor to our Islands from
the far north; Mr. H. Saunders tells us in his ‘ Manual.’
(a work to which I cannot sufficiently express my
indebtedness) that some forty specimens had been taken
in England, two in Scotland, and one found dead in
Ireland ; but it is probable that many females or young
birds may have escaped observation and record. This
is one of many British Birds with whose natural habits
in a wild state [ have no acquaintance, and must refer
my readers to the standard authorities on ornithology.
I have at this time of writing, January 1891, a male
Lapland Bunting alive which was taken by a bird-
catcher near Great Yarmouth and sent to me in October
1884; this bird has become quite reconciled to its
cage, is very tame and in perfect health, but has never
assumed the plumage of complete maturity.
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REED-BUNTING.
EMBERIZA SCHGNICLUS, Linn.
Emberiza scheeniclus, Linn. 8. N. i. p. 311 (1766) ; Naum.
iv. p. 280; Hewitson, i. p. 187; Yarr. ed. 4, ii. p. 23;
Dresser, iv. p. 241.
Emberiza scheeniculus, Macg. i. p. 453.
Bruant des roseaux, French; Rohr-Ammer, German; Ma-
tinero, Spanish.
Locally common and resident throughout the three
kingdoms.
REED-BUNTING.
Emberiza scheeniclus, Zin:
a
RUSTIC BUNTING.
EMBERIZA RUSTICA, Pail.
Emberiza rustica, Pall. Reise Russ. Reichs, iii. p. 698 (1776) ;
Naum. xiii. p. 180; Yarr. ed. 4, 11. p. 29; Dresser, iv.
p- 229; Gould, Ibis, 1869, p. 128; E. Clarke, Zoologist,
1881, p. 465 ; Lilford, Zool. 1883, p. 33.
Bruant rustique, French ; Feldammer, German.
An Asiatic and N.E. European species ; a rare and
irregular visitor to Western, Central, and Southern
Europe; is recorded as having been obtained three
times in England.
JUDD SC® LIMITED. IMP.
RUS TILE BUNTING.
Emberiza rustica Pad/.
LITTLE BUNTING.
EMBERIZA PUSILLA, Pall.
Emberiza pusilla, Pall. Reis. Russ. Reichs, iii. p. 697 (1776) ;
Naum. xi. p. 175; Yarr. ed. 4, uu. p. 34; Dresser, iv.
p. 285; Gould, P.Z.S8. 1864, p. 377.
Zwerg-Ammer, German.
An Asiatic and N.E. European species, of which one
occurrence only has been recorded in England.
JUDD ACS LIMITED IMP.
IEW Anan iL gs TSOP IN ALIL INES
Emberiza pusilla, Pad/.
CORN-BUNTING.
EMBERIZA MILIARIA, Linn.
Emberiza miliaria, Linn. 8. N. i. p. 808 (1766); Naum. iv.
p. 218; Macg. i. p. 440; Hewitson, i. p. 186; Yarr.
ed. 4, 11. p. 88; Dresser, iv. p. 163.
Le Proyer, French; Grau Ammer, German; Triguero,
Spanish.
Locally common throughout Great Britain and Ireland,
as well as in many parts of Central and Southern
Europe.
CORN-BUNTING.
Emberiza miliaria, Ziv.
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YELLOW HAMMER.
EMBERIZA CITRINELLA, Linn.
Emberiza citrinella, Linn. S. N.1. p. 809 (1766) ; Naum. iv.
p- 234; Macg. i. p. 445; Hewitson, i. p. 188; Yarr.
ed. 4, 11. p. 43; Dresser, iv. p. 171.
Bruant jaune, French; Gold-Ammer, German.
Very abundant and resident in almost all parts of the
three kingdoms.
VEL LOW HAMMER.
Emberiza citrinella, Linz.
JUDD AC? LIMITED. IMP
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CIRL BUNTING,
EMBERIZA CIRLUS, Linn.
Emberiza cirlus, Linn. 8. N. i. p. 811 (1766); Naum. iv.
p- 251; Macg. i. p. 450; Hewitson, i. p. 190; Yarr.
ed. 4, 11. p. 50; Dresser, iv. p. 177.
Bruant zizi, French; Zaunammer, German; Linacero,
Chilla, Spanish.
Not uncommon, but partially migratory in England,
breeding in most of the southern and some of the
midland counties; rare in Scotland and Ireland.
CURSES SEiwiNa NG
Emberiza cirlus, Zé.
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ORTOLAN BUNTING.
EMBERIZA HORTULANA, Linn.
Emberiza hortulana, Linn. S. N. i. p. 309 (1766) ; Naum. iv
p. 258; Macg. i. p. 457; Hewitson, i. p. 191; Yarr
ed. 4, u. p. 57; Dresser, iv. p. 185.
Bruant ortolan, French ; Gartenammer, German; Horte-
lano, Spanish.
An uncommon and irregular visitor to Great Britain.
A summer visitor to most parts of Central, Eastern, and
Western Europe.
JUDO AC: LIMITED Me
ORTOLAN BUNTING.
Emberiza hortulana, Lizz.
“a
BRANDTS BUNTING.
EMBERIZA CIOIDES, Brandt.
Emberiza cioides, Brandt, Bull. Ac. St. Pétersb. i. p. 363 ;
Tristram, Ibis, 1889, p. 293, pl. 10; Seebohm, Ibis,
1889, p. 295; Dresser, Supplement, p. 223.
One occurrence. A specimen was caught by William
Gibbon, a fisherman, at Flamborough, south of the
headland, in November 1886, and reported by Mr. R. W.
Chase, into whose possession it came, through Canon
Tristram, at a meeting of the Zoological Society held
15th January, 1889. A fuller account of the species
was Subsequently published by Canon Tristram im
‘The Ibis’ for 1889, followed by a supplementary paper
by Seebohm.
Emberiza cioides is a bird of Siberia, chiefly in the
eastern portion, where it is resident, occurring also in
Corea, but not in Japan. It has also been found in
China and Turkestan by several recent collectors, many
of whose published notes are fully given by Mr. Dresser
in the supplementary volume to his ‘ Birds of Europe.’
[0. 8.]
UNIe “PAM “MW “OUWT]
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ONILNNG S LONYWaa
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING.
EMBERIZA MELANOCEPHALA, Scop.
Emberiza melanocephala, Scop. Ann. I. H. N. p. 142 (1769) ;
Naum. iv. p. 227; Dresser, iv. p.151; Gould, Ibis, 1869,
p- 128.
Euspiza melanocephala, Yarr. ed. 4, 11. p. 64.
Bruant crocote, French; Kappenammer, German.
A common summer visitor to South-eastern Europe ;
rarely met with north of the Alps.
One instance only is recorded of the occurrence of this
species in England.
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING.
Emberiza melanocephala, Scop.
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CHAFFINCH.
FRINGILLA CA{LEBS, Linn.
Fringilla celebs, Linn. S. N. i. p. 318 (1766); Naum. v.
p.18; Macg. 1. p. 329; Hewitson,i. p. 192; Yarr. ed. 4,
u. p.68; Dresser, iv. p. 3.
Pinson, French; Buchfink, German; Pinzon, Spanish.
Common as a resident or partial migrant through-
out Europe, the Mediterranean coasts of Algeria and
Morocco, and in almost all parts of the British Islands.
vay ‘sqajaeo eysury
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“ONTITEWYSAa
BRAMBLING,
FRINGILLA MONTIFRINGILLA, Linn.
Fringilla montifringilla, Linn. S. N. i. p. 318 (1766) ; Naum.
v. p. 44; Macg.i. p. 335; Hewitson, i. p. 194; Yarr.
ed, 4, ii. p. 75; Dresser, iv. p. 15.
Pinson d’ Ardennes, French; Berg-Finke, German; Mon-
taftes, Millero, Spanish.
The Brambling is an autumnal migrant to the
British Islands, and from about the end of October till
March is to be met with, occasionally in vast numbers,
in most parts of Scotland and England; in Iveland its
visits are said to be very irregular, although large
flocks have been occasionally met with in that country.
Mr. H. Saunders (‘ Manual,’ p. 177) informs us that a
nest of this species was discovered by Mr. E. 'T. Booth
in Perthshire in June 1866, but with this exception I
am not aware of any other recorded instance of its
breeding in the United Kingdom. My principal ac-
quaintance with this beautiful bird has been formed
in Northamptonshire amongst the old beeches in our
own shrubberies and pleasure-grounds. Beech-mast is
certainly the favourite food of the present species, and in
bad seasons for this fruit the Brambling seldom visits
us in any considerable numbers. On the other hand,
when this crop is plentiful the Bramblings flock in
hundreds to regale thereon, and generally remain until
they and other birds have cleared their harvest. In
severe weather they betake themselves to the stack-
yards, and occasionally, but in my experience rarely, to
the open fields with the other Finches.
Compared with its near relation, the Chaffinch, this
species is somewhat shy and wary, but in general
habits it much resembles that bird. The ordinary
call or alarm-note of the Brambling is a somewhat
sharply uttered, sibilant monosyllable, that bears a
certain affinity m sound to the “pink, pink” of the
Chaflinch, but is much harsher. ‘The song has a re-
semblance to that of the Yellow Bunting, and con-
cludes with a long-drawn note very like the tiresome
drawl of the Greenfinch. The present species breeds
abundantly in Norway in the pie and birch forests.
A nest sent to me from that country many years ago
much resembled that of the Chaffinch, but was larger
and had no lichen in its structure, being built of green
moss, with small strips of birch-bark, and lined with,
as I believe, human hairs, a little wool, and a few
feathers,—amongst these I recognized one from the
breast of the Goshawk.
The few eggs of this species that I have seen are
hardly to be distinguished from those of the Chaffinch.
I have kept many Bramblings in our aviaries; but
although there are numerous records of their breeding
in captivity, I have only known of one completed nest at
Lilford. In this instance “a pair of Hedge-Sparrows
took possession of the structure before any eggs were
laid by its owner. I have met with this species in
Switzerland and m Andalucia; it is well known as a
winter visitor throughout Europe. A female Brambling
came aboard of my yacht in the Bay of Biscay, about
halfway between Ushant and Cape Finisterre, in
November 1873.
ae be
tt
COMMON on HOUSE-SPARROW.
PASSER DOMESTICUS (Linn.).
Fringilla domestica, Linn. S. N. i. p. 323 (1766); Naum. iv.
p. 453.
Passer domesticus, Macg. 1. p. 340; Hewitson, i. p. 209;
Yarr. ed. 4, 11. p. 89; Dresser, iii. p. 587.
Moineau domestique, French; Haus-Sperling, German ;
Gorrion, Spanish.
Abundant and resident throughout the British Islands
and the continent of Europe, with the exception of Italy,
Sicily, Sardinia, and Malta, in which localities it is repre-
sented by very closely allied forms, viz. Passer italie@ and
P. saliceti.
Our Sparrow is seldom met with far from human
habitations, except during harvest, when it extends its
ravaging expeditions to great distances.
ans del at ht
COMMON or HOUSE SPARROW.
Passer domesticus (Luu).
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.
.
TREE-SPARROW.
PASSER MONTANUS (Linn.).
Fringilla montana, Linn. S. N. i. p. 324 (1766) ; Naum. iv.
p. 480.
Passer montanus, Macg.i. p. 351; Hewitson,i. p.207; Yarr.
ed. 4, i. p. 82; Dresser, ii. p. 597.
Friquet, French; Feld-Sperling, German; Gorridn serrano,
Gorridén de monte, Spanish.
The Tree-Sparrow is a very local bird in England
and Scotland, nowhere very abundant, and in certain
districts entirely unknown; as a proof of this I may
mention that with us, in Northamptonshire, this bird
breeds, and is to be found in small numbers at all
seasons of the year; whilst, on the other hand, in the
neighbourhood of Bournemouth, where I am now
writing, I am assured that it is, if not entirely absent,
at all events exceedingly rare.
It appears, from the writings of various authors, that
large numbers visit the eastern counties from the con-
tinent every autumn.
In its general habits this bird closely resembles our
Common Sparrow, but differs from that well-known
species in the fact that the sexes of the present bird are
barely distinguishable in plumage—the note also is very
different.
The Tree-Sparrow breeds indifferently in the holes of
trees and buildings, and in certain parts of Germany
frequents populous towns. The nest is a large accumu-
lation of rubbish and feathers, similar to that of the
House-Sparrow.
6. Keulemans
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TREE- SPARROW.
Passer montanus (Linn).
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HAWEFINCH.
COCCOTHRAUSTES VULGARIS, Pallas,
Coccothraustes vulgaris, Pallas, Zoogr. Rosso-As. 11. p. 12
(1826) ; Hewitson, i. p. 205; Yarr. ed. 4, ii. p. 98;
Dresser, 11. p. 575.
Coccothraustes atrogularis, Macg. 1. p. 356.
Fringilla coccothraustes, Nawm. iv. p. 435.
Gros-bec, French; Kernbeisser, German; Cascanueces,
Pifonero, Pinzén real, Spanish.
This grotesque bird is now more or less common and
resident throughout the eastern, south-eastern, and
central counties of England as far to the northwards
as the Humber, and has of late years extended its
breeding-range into Yorkshire. In the western portion
of this kingdom it appears to be somewhat uncommon,
although it is in some years abundant in the winter
months in Ireland. In Scotland it is said to be a
somewhat scarce winter visitor.
There is no doubt that many of this species visit
our country annually during the late autumn and
winter from the continent ; and within the limits of the
“four seas”? it is, in common with the majority of its
congeners, to some extent a local migrant. In the
neighbourhood of our home in north Northamptonshire
the Hawfinch was an occasional and by no means a
JI.G,Keulemams delet lith. + Mintern Bros .imp.
HAW FINCH.
Coecothraustes vulgaris, Pallas.
At
|
common winter visitor till the early spring of 1870. On
April 4th of that year I noticed a small flock of this
species haunting some old thorn-bushes on our lawn ;
and although we could not discover a nest, in spite of
exhaustive and protracted search during the succeeding
four or five weeks, one pair of Hawfinches at least
brought off a brood not far off, as I constantly observed
young and old birds in our kitchen-garden in the fol-
lowing months of July and August. During the very
severe weather of December 1870 and January 1871,
we were visited by very large flocks of Hawfinches ;
and since that time Hawfinches have become more or
less common residents with us, a pair or two nesting
annually about our pleasure-grounds and in many other
neighbouring localities ; in fact, the bird is now only
too well known to gardeners in all parts of our county
from its depredations amongst the green peas as they
begin to swell in the pods.
The old Hawfinch is a shy and wary bird, with the
instinct of self-preservation very fully developed ; and
although the nest is occasionally placed in a conspicuous
position, the remarkable call-note is rarely to be heard
during the nesting-season. In the autumn and winter
months the food of the Hawfinch consists principally of
beech-mast, the seeds of the horn-beam, and the kernels
of hips, haws, yew, and other berries. I have fre-
quently noticed that these birds as a rule reject the
pulp or flesh of these fruits, and seem to care only for
the seeds or kernels, few of which can withstand the
formidable instrument with which nature has provided
this Finch. When not engaged in the search for food,
the Hawfinch in winter generally selects the highest
bare branches of a tall tree, whence its sharp “ twit,”
“twit,” is constantly to be heard; on the slightest
alarm the flock darts off with a very swift, undulating
flight to a place of safety. In the summer months,
when not busy amongst our pea-rows, our bird fre-
quents dense foliage, in my experience showing a
marked predilection for that of the yew tree, which is
also a very favourite nesting-locality. The nests, how-
ever, may roughly be said to be built almost anywhere,
generally at a considerable height from the ground; I
have seen them in thick hawthorns, frequently in old
apple- or pear-trees, once in a young sycamore, in
almost every common conifer, and more than once near
the extremities of the horizontal boughs of oak, horse-
chestnut, and beech. The nest is large and_ loosely
built outside of pliable twigs, root-fibres, and lichens
neatly lined with fine grass and hair. The eggs are five
or six, of a pale greenish blue, spotted and streaked
with dark brown.
The Hawfinch, or, as it is frequently called, the
Grosbeak, thrives well in a cage, and becomes very
tame if often noticed and spoken to, but I have found
that in a large aviary these birds sooner or later inva-
riably kill themselves by dashing against the wires. In
the pairing-season the male Hawfinch has a low, con-
versational warble; but I never heard any vocal per-
formance of our bird that could rightly be designated
as a song.
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GREENFINCH.
FRINGILLA CHLORIS, Briss.
Fringilla chloris, Briss. Orn. ii. p. 190 (1760); Naum. v.
p. 62.
Linaria chloris, Macg. 1. p. 365.
Coccothraustes chloris, Hewitson, i. p. 204; Yarr. ed. 4, ii.
p. 105.
Ligurinus chloris, Dresser, ii. p. 567.
Verdier ordinaire, French; Griinfinke, German; Verderén,
Verdon, Spanish.
This bird, which is perhaps more generally known
under the name of Green Linnet, is exceedingly common
in most parts of our islands that are in any way suited
to its habits. It is perhaps more specially addicted to
roosting amongst evergreen shrubs than any other of
our British Finches, but these shrubs are by no means
essential to its welfare.
The Greenfinch is not much of a singer as far as the
quality of its performance is concerned, nor can it lay
claim to beauty of form or colour; but, although it
commits a certain amount of damage in gardens, I am
of opinion that this detriment is more than compensated
for by the great amount of benefit rendered to us by
these birds in destroying thousands of noxious insects in
every stage of their development.
GaRE RR ON TONE Gili
Pringilla chlopis €Briss)
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SERIN,
FRINGILLA SERINUS, Linn.
Fringilla serinus, Linn. S. N. i. p. 820 (1766) ; Naum. v.
p. 114.
Serinus hortulanus, Yarr. ed. 4, ii. p. 111; Dresser, iii.
p- 549.
Serin, French; Girlitz, German; Chamariz, Verdecillo,
Spanish.
This little Finch, which is common in many parts of
the continent of Europe, has been admitted into the
British list on the strength of about a dozen occurrences
recorded from Hants, Sussex, Middlesex, Somerset, and
Norfolk. Mr. Howard Saunders, from whom I quote,
considers that although the Serin is a common cage-
bird abroad, and likely to be imported, the probability
is in favour of the supposition that some, at all events,
of these birds visited our country of their own free
will; and as I share this opinion I give a figure of the
species.
The Serin is exceedingly common in Southern and
Central Spain, and in general habits somewhat re-
sembles the Goldfinch ; the nest, however, is composed
of different materials, and the song consists of a sharp
sibilant murmur, much inferior to the pleasant notes of
that bird.
v
J.G Keulemans del.et hth. Mintern Eros. imp
SERIN.
Fringilla serimus, Lun.
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GOLDFINCH.
Carduelis elegans, Stephens.
GOLDFINCH.
CARDUELIS ELEGANS, Stephens.
Carduelis elegans, Stephens, Gen. Zool. xiv. p. 80 (1826) ;
Macg. i. p. 3893; Yarr. ed. 4, ii. p. 117; Dresser, iii.
p. 527.
Fringilla carduelis, Naum. v. p. 126; Hewitson, i. p. 196.
Chardonneret, French; Distelfink, Stieglitz, German ;
Jilguero, Gilguero, Colorin, Spanish.
It would be quite superfluous for me to go into any
details as to the habits of this well-known and very
beautiful bird. I hear many reports from various parts
of the country of the sad diminution in numbers of the
Goldfinch, caused by the persistent arts and devices of
the bird-catchers, who can always obtain a ready sale
for these attractive little Finches; another cause of their
comparative scarcity is no doubt the tillage and recla-
mation of many waste lands, which afforded them an
abundant supply of the seeds of various wild plants,
their natural and favourite food, but I am glad to say
that in the part of England with which I am best
acquainted, I can neither perceive or hear of any lack of
Goldfinches, and at the time of present writing (June
1890), I am informed of at least four nests within two
or three hundred yards of where I am now sitting.
This species is more or less abundant throughout Europe,
except in the extreme north, and is certainly one of the
typical birds of Spain. In Northamptonshire we have
an annual autumnal passage of Goldfinches on their
southward migration, but I think that our home-bred
birds seldom leave us, except under an unusual stress
of winter weather. About two years ago we caught
two young Goldfinches, in which the rich mouse-brown
colour of the normal type was replaced by a creamy
buff. I merely mention this as I am informed that
wild-bred varieties of this species are not often met with
in this country.
=. Keuier
STS KIN:
Fringilla spinus, Linn.
Mintern.
Bros
SISKIN,
FRINGILLA SPINUS, Linn.
Fringilla spinus, Linn. S. N. i. p. 822 (1766); Naum. v.
p- 155; Hewitson, i. p. 198.
Carduelis spinus, Macg. i. p. 400; Yarr. ed. 4, ii. p. 126.
Chrysomitris spinus, Dresser, iti. p. 541.
Tarin, French; Zeisig, German’; Lugano, Spanish.
This very pretty little Finch is a more or less frequent
autumnal or winter visitor to most of our English
counties, but has been found breeding, according to
Mr. Howard Saunders, “ exceptionally in Surrey, Sussex,
and Durham, and regularly in some parts of Cumber-
land.” In the Highlands of Scotland it breeds regu-
larly and in some numbers in the old fir-woods, and, as
has been lately discovered, in several localities in Ireland.
The beauty, extraordinary tameness, and pleasant song
of the Siskin render it a very favourite cage-bird: the
London bird-catchers used, in my boyhood, generally to
speak of and sell this bird under the name of “ Aberde-
vine,’ which sobriquet caused considerable confusion in
the minds of certain uninitiated purchasers on account
of its similarity to ‘‘ Aberdavat,” the name given by
these dealers to a small exotic Finch, which is, if I
recollect rightly, Zstrelda amandava; at all events, I
well recollect giving serious offence to a bird-loving lady
who showed me what she called an ‘“ Aberdavat,”’ by
assuring her that her pet was “only a Siskin.” During
the winter, the only season in which I have had oppor-
tunities of observing the Siskin in freedom, it is gene-
rally to be met with in small flocks, clustering on alders
or birches, and keeping up a constant musical twitter ;
I have also frequently noticed that these birds find food
of some sort amongst the dead sedges that fringe our
rivers and brooks. ‘These birds will often nest and
breed in captivity, but Professor Newton informs us
that the young are not frequently reared in such circum-
stance. As I have never had the good fortune to see
either nest or eggs zz situ, I cannot do better than
refer my readers to the very interesting article written
by my above-named friend in Yarrell’s ‘ British Birds,’
ed. 4, vol. il.
J.G.Keulemans del,et hth
MEALY REDPOLL.
Fringilla lnaria, Linn,
Minterm Bros.
imp -
MEALY REDPOLL.
FRINGILLA LINARIA, Linn.
Fringilla linaria, Linn. S. N. i. p. 822 (1766); Naum. v.
p- 173.
Linaria borealis, Macg. i. p. 388.
Fringilla canescens, Hewitson, i. p. 202*.
Linota linaria, Yarr. ed. 4, ii. p. 183 ; Dresser, iv. p. 37.
Sizerin boréal, French; Flachs-Fink, Birken-Zeisig, Shatt-
chen, German. ;
This form of Redpoll is an autumnal visitor to Great
Britain, more frequent on the north-eastern coast of
Scotland than elsewhere ; further southwards its visits
are very irregular, and although it has frequently oc-
curred in considerable numbers in the eastern and
southern counties of England, it may be fairly con-
sidered as a very uncertain, and, on the whole, not a
common migrant to the country south of the Humber.
The varying races of Redpolls have led to consider-
able complications; and at least three of these races,
exclusive of the present bird and owe common Lesser
Redpoll, have been recorded as occurring in our
country ; but from my small acquaintance with the
subject I am disposed to look upon the present bird
and that just mentioned as the best typical represen-
tatives of the European races of Redpoll, and certainly
the best known in England; and am therefore contented
to figure them only, without quoting from authors
better informed than I am on the subject of the varia-
tion of races.
To any friendly critics who may be disposed to find
fault with me for “lumping” my subject, I will only
say that my original intention im undertaking this work
was simply to give coloured figures, and that I have
been induced to add these notes solely by the request
of many friends.
The Mealy Redpoll breeds abundantly in certain
parts of Scandinavia ; and from the accounts given by
various authors, much resembles our Lesser Redpoll
in general habits. I have, however, no personal ac-
quaintance with the present bird except in captivity,
and can only say that the principal difference that I
have noticed between the two species or races is m
their notes, that of the present bird being much sharper
and more powerful than that of the smaller bird.
ae
ay
Ayana.
f
Litho. W. Greve, Berlin.
|
i} 8
\ MEALY REDPOLL (Arctic race).
i} Linota hornemanni, Holbdll.
11)
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MEALY REDPOLL, (ARCTIC RACE.)
LINOTA HORNEMANNI, LHolboll.
Linota hornemanni, Ho/bdll, Naturh. Tidssk. iv. p. 398
(1843) ; Yarr. ed. 4, ii. pp. 141, 143; Dresser, iv.
p. 55.
At the time of the publication of Mr. II. Saunders’s
article on the Mealy Redpoll in the ‘ Manual of British
Birds’ only one specimen of the race here represented
had been recorded as having occurred in Great Britain ;
this individual was knocked down on the sea-banks
near Whitburn, and was in the collection of the late
John Hancock, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, who described and
figured it in his ‘Catalogue of the Birds of Northum-
berland and Durham’ (p. 54, pl. 5), and there states
that it was killed on April 24th, 1855. I am indebted
to the courtesy of Doctor II. Bendelack Hewetson
for the loan of two skins of this form, obtained in
October 1883 and October 1893, at Easington, York-
shire; from the former of these the accompanying
Plate was taken.
This race of Redpoll is said to be resident in Green-
land, and there are records of its occasional occurrence
on the continent of Europe. John Hancock was in
possession of a specimen from Iceland; and Mr. Haton
in 1873 found it breeding at Wide Bay in Spitsbergen,
where he obtained a specimen which is now in the
Museum of the University of Cambridge. Professor
A. Newton, from whose article on the Mealy Redpoll
in 4th ed. of ‘ Yarrell’ I have quoted the latter par-
ticulars, says that this race differs from the ordinary
European form in its larger size and paler tints, its
somewhat longer and more deeply-forked tail and
rather longer claws. Even in full summer plumage
none of its colours seem even to be so dark as in the
commoner bird.
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TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL.
LOXIA BIFASCIATA (C. L. Brehm).
Crucirostra bifasciata, C. LZ. Brehm, Ornis, iii. p. 85 (1827).
Loxia bifasciata, Yarr. ed. 4, ii. p. 211; Dresser, iv. p. 141.
Bec-croisé bifascié, French.
This is a rare straggler to our islands from the pine-
forests of Northern Russia and Siberia. In general
habits it is said to resemble the Common Crossbill, but
as I have no personal acquaintance with it, I must refer
my readers to other authors for details. At p. 195 of
Mr. Howard Saunders’s ‘ Manual of British Birds’ excel-
lent reasons may be found for not including the so-called
White-winged Crossbill (Zoata leucoptera) in the British
list. I have good reason to believe, though I have not
positive proof, that a few of the present species haunted
the comparatively few pine-groves still left in the
detached portions of Bournemouth during the winter of
1889-90.
The principal figure in the accompanying Plate was
drawn from a stuffed specimen lent for the purpose
through the obliging kindness of Mr. John Cordeaux,
who informs me that it was killed in September 1889
in a marsh near Louth in Lincolnshire.
GHROMO-LITHO ART STUDIO, LONDON.
Ae
TWO-BARRED CROSSBIL
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WOOD-PIGEON, OR RING—DOVE.
Columba palumbus, Zinn.
WOOD-PIGEON or RING-DOVE.
COLUMBA PALUMBUS, Linn.
Columba palumbus, Linn. S. N. i. p. 282 (1766) ; Naum.
vi. p. 168; Macg. i. p. 259; Hewitson, i. p. 271; Yarr.
ed. 4, i. p. 1; Dresser, vii. p. 3.
Colombe ramier, French; Ringel-Taube, German; Paléma
torcdz, Spanish.
This fine Pigeon is so abundant throughout the
United Kingdom that it is difficult to write anything as
to its habits that is not generally known. TI am, and
have been for more than ten years, unable to visit
London, but it is pleasant to hear that the Wood- Pigeon
has become common, and now breeds regularly every
year, in many of the metropolitan parks and other public
resorts. This has long been the case in Paris and
many other continental cities, and to lovers of birds it
is gratifying that the present species has become tame
from the protection afforded to it by “ Londoners,” and
seems to be free from the assaults of all enemies, except
the unnecessary domestic cat, in the busiest haunt of
men. Except during the nesting-season the Wood-
Pigeon is by nature one of the most wary of our birds,
but at that period appears rather to court than to avoid
the neighbourhood of human habitations, although, to
use a common expression, its nest may be met with
“everywhere.” I cannot remember any sort of tree
common to Northamptonshire in which I have not
found or seen nests of this Pigeon, and it frequently
breeds im ivy and various evergreens that hardly atta
to the dignity of trees. This bird is perhaps specially
addicted to nesting in confers, especially spruce-firs,
but even where there is an abundance of these, with
convenient horizontal boughs as substantial support for
the shght platforms of sticks that constitute the Pigeons’
nurseries, many other trees are often selected. Although
I have met with this Pigeon in almost every part of
Europe that I have visited, my remarks apply principally
to the district of Northamptonshire with which I am
best acquainted. A great many Wood-Pigeons breed
with us, but in most years we are visited in the
autumn by large flocks of “strangers,” smaller, darker
in colour, and somewhat differing in their manner of
flight from our home-bred birds. After clearing off all
the fallen acorns and beech-mast that they can find,
these visitors pass on to the southward, generally, if the
weather is severe, taking with them the bulk of our
native birds of their species. In such cases the said
“natives ” reappear in small detachments as soon as the
weather is open and mild, and [ think that all the
survivors of this class are back with us by the beginning
of March. ‘The strangers, however, as a rule, do not
put in an appearance before April is well advanced,
occasionally not until May, and rarely remain for more
a3
than a few days. In the “severe weather of 1870-71
we had more Wood-Pigeons in our oak-woods than I
ever saw anywhere before or since, but a neighbouring
gamekeeper, who had frequently assisted in our pursuit
of them at that time, sent me word, about the middle of
December 1893, that the number of Wood-Pigeons
that frequented these same woods was “as five to one
of those that were there at the French war-time.” This
implied many hundreds of thousands, and from the
evidence of many trustworthy witnesses was by no
means an unwarrantable computation. I have known of
a Wood-Pigeon sitting on her eggs in the second week
of March, and have often found freshly laid eggs in
October. I believe that three broods are the rule, but
I feel little doubt that four are frequently reared during
the season. In covert-shooting in November I have
often seen young Pigeons that could only just fly from
one tree to another. A pair of Wood-Pigeons reared
three young in one season in the aviary at Lilford, one
bird from each separate sitting of two eggs. I have ex-
amined the contents of the ‘ crops” of the Wood-Pigeon
in every month of the year, and from my investigations
have come to the conclusion that the lesser celandine is
about the only “weed” that they consume in any
considerable quantity. How far this particular taste
may be beneficial to the agriculturist I cannot say, but
there is no doubt that these Pigeons consume an
enormous amount of corn of all sorts, besides a quantity
of “‘ green stuffs,” and are, on the whole, detrimental to
the farmer. The voracity and stowage capacity of the
Wood-Pigeon are marvellous: I know cf an instance
in which 72 full-sized acorns were taken from the crop
of one of this species, and I have myself taken 87 horse-
beans and some fragments of turnip-tops from another.
My views about this bird are that it should be strictly
protected between March and August, but shot down
to the utmost during the rest of the year. No better
sport can be found in England than shooting Wood-
Pigeons in a breeze of wind, as they career over a small
opening in a wood or thick plantation, and their flesh,
if properly treated, is, in my opinion, excellent.
“UTP IAPID “AL “OUIT
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‘AAOGU—AOOLS
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STOCK-DOVE,
COLUMBA UNAS, Linn.
Columba cenas, Linn. (partim) 8. N.i. p. 279 (1766); Naum.
vi. p. 215; Macg. i. p. 287; Hewitson, i. p. 273; Yarr.
ed. 4, il. p. 8; Dresser, vii. p. 23.
Colombe, Colombin, French; Hohl-Taube, German ; Paloma
brava, Paloma de campo, Spanish.
This is one of several species that within the last
forty years have greatly extended their range in our
country. In Northamptonshire, or that part of the
county with which I am best acquainted, it has always
been common from as far back as I can remember,
breeding in hollow trees, church-towers, masses of ivy,
and occasionally in dense conifers, and rearing three or
four broods of two each between March and November.
The great majority of our home-bred Stock-Doves
leave us in the “dead” of winter; but they generally
return in force in February, and soon commence nesting
operations. I have found a nest containing hard-set
eges in the second week of March; and, on the other
hand, have several times found unfledged young birds
in the nest late in October, and at least once in
November.
In general habits and food this bird closely resembles
the Wood-Pigeon, or, to speak more correctly, the Ring-
Dove ; but its love-song differs considerably from that
of its larger congener, consisting of a series of discon-
nected, though rapidly repeated guttural notes in the
same key, without the modulations of the well-known
“Coo 00 coo coo-coo” of the Cushat. I consider the
Stock-Dove as the most quick-sighted and wary of our
common birds, the Mallard and Curlew not excepted ;
any one who has waited for Pigeons coming in to
roost on a winter evening will, I think, confirm this
opinion. On the open heaths and commons of our
eastern counties the Stock-Dove usually nests in rabbit-
burrows and under closely cropped furze-bushes, and I
have more than once in those districts seen a bird
of this species plunge into a hole when closely pressed
by a Falcon; the latter bird, however, must be at a
rarely high pitch, and an exceptional flyer, to put any
real pressure upon the Dove, whose speed and turning
powers are marvellous.
On the south coast of Devon I found many pairs of
this species frequenting the cliffs between Berry Head
and Dartmouth Harbour, but always in places thickly
overgrown with ivy, furze, and brambles, never in any
of the small caves in which we sought in vain for Rock-
Doves. Even in the well-wooded district of England
in which our home is situated I have met with two
nests of the Stock-Dove on the ground, in one instance
the nest being placed close to the entrance of an old
rabbit-burrow under high ash-trees, and in the second
between two of the main roots of an elm, without con-
cealment of any kind. The name of “ Stock” was, as
mentioned in ‘Yarrell,’ no doubt originally applied to the
bird on account of its predilection for the hollows,
stocks, or stumps of trees for nesting-purposes. A
male Stock-Dove in the aviary at Lilford declined to
make any amorous advances to various female congeners
from the Canaries, but paired at once with an Antwerp
Carrier Pigeon: the result was two eggs, from which
one bird, exactly resembling its male parent (except in
the possession of a somewhat stouter beak), was
hatched, but only lived for about three weeks; the
remains of this youngster are now at S. Kensington.
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ROCK-DOVE,
COLUMBA LIVIA, J. F. Ginelin.
Columba livia, J. F. Gmelin, S. N. 1. p. 769 (1788), ex
Brisson ; Naum. vi. p. 186; Macg. i. p. 268; Hewitson,
i. p. 274; Yarr. ed. 4, ii. p. 13; Dresser, vii. p. 11.
Colombe biset, French; Feld-Taube, German; Zurita,
Paloma brava, Spanish.
In England this species is exceedingly rare in its pure
unadulterated form, although many of the denizens of
our dove-cots very closely resemble their more or less
remote progenitors. I may here state that it is generally
admitted by naturalists that all the domestic races of
Pigeon owe their origin to the present species. On
certain parts of the coast of Wales the Rock-Dove exists
in small colonies; it is abundant in suitable localities
on the western coast and islands of Scotland, in the
Orkneys and Shetlands, and on the east coast as far
south as the Bass Rock. In Ireland, wherever sea-caves
exist, the Rock-Dove is to be met with in numbers. I
noticed a few in the north of the Isle of Man. My
acquaintance with this species has been formed chiefly
on the islands of the Mediterranean, but is by no means
confined to these localities, as I have found it in all suit-
able places on the shores of that sea, from the eastern
face of the Rock of Gibraltar to the promontory of
Akroteri in Cyprus. On the coast of Sardinia and its
adjacent islets the Rock-Dove is especially abundant,
and affords very pretty shooting from a boat. The
so-called “Blue Rock” of the dealers im Pigeons at
home is, if full-winged and vigorous, not, as I am
informed, “everybody's money” when liberated from
the traps at a fair distance. I cannot write on this
subject from personal knowledge, as the idea of shooting
at a bird that has been in captivity has always been
repugnant to me, but I can assure my readers that the
killing of wild Rock-Doves from a boat rocking on a
heaving sea, as they dart out of their caves, often almost
into the gunner’s face, is by no means a contemptible
exercise of the art of shooting. From many of these
Mediterranean sea-caves, at the first shout, or rattle of
the oars, a cloud of Shags will dash out or drop like
stones from the rock-ledges into the sea, a pair of Blue
Rock-Thrushes will set up notes of very musical defiance,
a few White-bellied and Common Swifts, and perhaps a
Kestrel or two, will rush out with the Doves, and keep
screaming around, and occasionally a Seal will glide
from its resting-place and, passing under the boat, show
its head at a respectful distance out at sea. On the
only occasion on which I visited a cave on the English
coast in the hope of finding some Rock-Doves, we
discovered nothing more interesting than a few males of
our own species in a state of nature, a bundle of marine
fern, and an empty beer-bottle. Mr. H. Saunders states
9)
that he met with immense flocks of this Dove in the
neighbourhood of the Sierra Nevada, but I cannot recall
an instance of having noticed it at more than the distance
of a mile or two from the sea. In all the localities in
which I have met with this species it is resident, and, so
far as I have observed, it generally feeds within a short
distance of its accustomed haunts. Although the Rock-
Dove generally nests on the ledges of caves, I have found
the eggs more than once laid upon the ground, with
very scanty bedding, amongst large stones, and we found
several nests amongst the extraordinary chaos of rocks
that lie scattered in masses in the Straits of Bonifacio,
in situations easily reached without leaving our boat.
In one or two instances I found fragments of samphire,
sorrel, and wild cabbage in the crops of this bird, but
their usual food appears to consist mainly of the seeds
of various weeds and, when they can get it, of corn.
The only birds with which the Rock-Dove seems habi-
tually to consort, when searching for food, are Starlings
and Choughs. I never saw a Rock-Dove perch on tree
or bush, in fact, in my experience it seldom frequents
any but the most treeless districts. From the fact of
having shot well-fledged young Rock-Doves in the
beginning of May, and found incubated eggs in August,
I presume that these birds breed several times in the
year, as is the case with all the European species of the
Pigeon-family.
“Ags ‘stunwwo0s anqin
“FAOG-aATLANL
TURTLE DOVE.
TURTUR COMMUNIS, Selby.
Turtur communis, Selby, Nat. Libr., Ornith. v. pp. 153, 171
(1835) ; Yarr. ed. 4, 1. p. 21.
Columba turtur, Naum. vi. p. 283; Macg. i. p. 291;
Hewitson, i. p. 275.
Turtur vulgaris, Dresser, vil. p. 39.
Tourterelle, French; Turtel-taube, German ; Tortola,
Spanish.
This species has for many years been extending its
range to the northward in our Islands, and is now a
well-known and common summer visitor to many
English districts in which it was virtually unknown
before the middle of the present century. I have met
with it in all of the counties south of the Thames that I
have visited, and, so far as my recollection serves me, in
nearly all of those between that river and the Trent, but
T have very little acquaintance with the western midlands.
With us in Northamptonshire the Turtle Dove generally
arrives in considerable numbers during the first ten
days of May, and soon makes its presence known by its
peculiar guttural note, very distinct from that of the
other British members of the Dove family. The nest is
a simple platform of a few twigs, and is, to my know-
ledge, frequently completed in two days: the favourite
sites in the locality with which I am best acquainted are
our old whitethorn trees and willows, but the nest may
be often found in fir-plantations, hazel-copse, and other
places, generally well concealed, and at no great height
from the ground, though there are occasional exceptions
to both of these rules. he flight of this bird is rapid
and extremely graceful, and in “twisting” when pur-
sued by a bird of prey, the Turtle Dove is at least equal
to what Dove-slayers call the ‘ Blue-Rock.” The food
of this Dove consists of seeds of many kinds and the
leaves of clover and vetches ; turnip-seed is, I think,
its favourite diet, it will also devour the berries of the
mountain-ash,
These birds generally leave us before the middle of
September, and sometimes congregate to a certain
extent before their departure. In all parts of the
Mediterranean coasts with which I am acquainted the
Turtle Dove is a very common summer migrant, but I
never met with it anywhere in such abundance as in
Cyprus, during the month of May. A great many of
this species have come aboard of my yacht in the
Mediterranean in stiff breezes at various times during
their vernal migrations, and I have seen more than one
fall exhausted into the sea, after flying about us for some
time, apparently afraid to alight. In Spain the passage
of the Turtle Dove is awaited and attended upon by
native sportsmen with nearly as much eagerness as that
of the Quail, and in the neighbourhood of Seville a very
great number are annually killed in spring by persons
clad in green, and ambushed amongst the willows that
fringe the watercourses. The flesh of this bird is good,
and, in my opinion, superior to that of the travelling
Quails during the Spring migration. In captivity I have
found the Turtle Dove restless, pugnacious with other
species, and promiscuously amorous and troublesome,
but in his natural state I hold him as eminently charm-
ing and worthy of all possible protection.
*Cung) snxopeied saydeysits
‘ASNOUS-ANWS SSW11Vd
“uyseg “aaetd “MA “OUNTT
A
Se ewe
PALLAS’S SAND-GROUSE.
SYRRHAPTES PARADOXUS (Pail.).
Tetrao paradoxa, Paill., Reise Russ. Reichs, ii. App. p. 712
(1773).
Syrrhaptes paradoxus, Yarr, ed. 4, iii. p. 831; Dresser, vii.
p. 75.
Syrrhapte paradoxal, French; Steppen-Huhn, German.
I must preface my remarks upon this beautiful
wanderer from Asia by confessing that I have no per-
sonal acquaintance whatever with it in a wild state, and
will therefore endeavour to the best of my ability to
summarize in a few lines the mass of records relating
to its appearances in the United Kingdom, and beg
my readers to understand that, where not otherwise
specified, I quote from my friend Professor Newton’s
article in the ‘Ibis’ of 1864, from which it appears
that the earliest recorded occurrence of this species in
England took place early in July 1859, at Walpole,
St. Peter’s, Norfolk ; two more were seen, and one of
them shot near Tremadoec, Carnarvonshire, on the 9th
of the same month; and another was killed at New
Romney, Kent, in November of the same year. In
1863 the earliest record of appearance is that of a flock
of fourteen, out of which three were secured, near
Thropton on the coast of Northumberland on May 21;
after this date the records come thick and fast from
England, Scotland, and Ireland till about midsummer,
and continue through the following months till
November 28, when a specimen was killed near War-
rington.
I do not refer to the vast number of continental
occurrences recorded by Professor Newton, but may
state with regard to the British Islands that the Sand-
Grouse in 1868 reached Unst, in Shetland, to . the
north, Eastbourne, Slapton, and Scilly to the south,
and Navan, co. Donegal, to the west. The editor of
the 4th edition of Yarrell’s ‘British Birds,’ vol. ii.
p- 35, states that a few individuals lingered in the Wild
West through the autumn and winter; but that even
there, by February 1864 the last of the invaders of
1863 had succumbed.
We do not hear of this species in our country again
till 1872, when, according to the authority last quoted,
a few were reported from Northumberland and Ayr-
shire in May and June, and in October 1876 two were
shot near Kilcock, co Wexford. Of the great imvasion
of 1858 my readers are no doubt well aware, and as
we are hoping for full details concerning it from the
same able pen that described that of 1863, I will only
say that it far exceeded the first in numbers, and that
in at least two well-authenticated instances young birds
were hatched out by their parents under natural con-
ditions in Scotland (cf. ‘ Ibis,’ April 1890, pp. 207-
214, pl. vii).
For details of the habits of this singular bird in its
native haunts in the steppes of Asia, and the spread of
its invasions on the continent of Europe, I must refer
my readers to the authors from whom I have so freely
quoted above; from the accounts given me by friends
who had the good fortune to meet with these Sand-
Grouse in 1888 and 1889, it would appear that
although generally shy and wary, they were in certain
instances remarkably tame, and permitted a close ap-
proach, that they are very swift in flight, that they
were often mistaken for Golden Plovers, and that their
food consists of various small seeds.
The eggs are said to be three in number, laid on
scratchings in the sand in April or May, elliptical in
shape, and stone-buff blotched with purple-brown in
colour. I received seven of these birds alive in 1888,
but only one of them was an authentic British spe-
cimen; I am not certain as to whence the others were
originally obtained, but have some reason to believe
that they were taken in nets on the north coast of
France; they thrive well in the open air during the
summer, except during a continuance of wet weather,
but we found it necessary to house them in the winter.
They are peaceable birds and agree well with the two
species of European Sand-Grouse (Péerocles arenarius
and P. alchata), whose habits exactly resemble their
own ; they are continually uttermg a sort of crooning
chuckle, and are very fond of scratching and dusting in
sand or ashes. From the peculiar formation of their
feet they naturally prefer a flat surface; their move-
ments, even on clipped turf, are very awkward. My
birds, although by no means exceedingly wild, have not
become really tame, but this is very probably owing to
their having a good range and means of concealment ;
in hot weather they scratch little cavities in the gravel
in their aviary and bask in them, often lying over on
one side, with the free wing more or less elevated, to
allow the heat to reach their flanks.
The Act by which the Sand-Grouse are now protected
in this country, although it came into force too late to
be of much avail in putting a stop to the wanton and
useless massacre of these birds, was humane and well
intentioned as far as it goes. But a vast amount of
nonsense has been written about the Sand-Grouse as a
valuable addition to our British game-birds; I imagine
that this has arisen from the application of the word
“Grouse” to this species, as it has none of the
qualities of a game-bird, and it is most improbable that
in the most favourable circumstance and under the most
strict protection it would ever become really naturalized
in a country so eminently unsuited to its habits as our
own ; but why, may I ask in the name of common sense,
should a special Act be required for the protection of a
harmless and very beautiful bird? ‘There can only be
one answer—that the greed of bird-dealers and bird-
collectors renders an enactment of this sort absolutely
necessary ; and the only fault that I have to find with
this one is that its operation is so hmited as to time
that in all probability the next visitors of this most
interesting species to Great Britain will be more ruth-
lessly destroyed than their predecessors.
Litho. W. Greve, Berlin.
CAPERCAILLIE.
Tetrao urogallus, Linn.
CAPERCAILLIE,
TETRAO UROGALLUS, Linn.
Tetrao urogallus, Linn. 8. N. i. p. 273 (1766) ; Naum. vi.
p. 277; Macg.i.p. 188; Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 45 ; Dresser,
Vil. p. 223.
Wood Grouse, Hewitson, i. p. 277.
Cog de bruyeére et Poule de bruyére, French ; Auer-hahn,
German; Gallo de bosque, Faisan, Spanish.
My personal acquaintance with this fine game-bird is
so very slight that I feel hardly justified in referring to
it. I only once stayed for a few days m a Scottish
locality inhabited by the Capercaillie, and as those
days were chiefly spent in pursuit of Red Grouse on
the open moors, I only obtained casual glimpses of two
or three of the present species as we passed through
the fir-woods. I had, however, pursued the Capercaillie
with very meagre success on the Swiss side of the Jura
range before I ever saw one in Scotland, and in later
years saw and heard a few in the mountain forests of
the province of Santander, on the frontier of Asturias.
Although the Capercaillie has increased and multi-
plied greatly in the first locality above mentioned, as in
many other districts in Scotland, I am given to under-
stand that it is now exceedingly scarce in the Jura,
whilst in the north of Spain I do not think that it ever
was really abundant. With regard to the existence of
this species as an indigenous bird in Great Britain and
Ireland, I must refer my readers to the 4th edition of
*‘Yarrell.’ I gather from that work that the Capercaillie
was virtually extinct in our Islands at the end of the
last century, and that it was not till 1837 that it was
successfully re-established in Scotland by importations
from Sweden. In 1863 the head gamekeeper at
Taymouth estimated the number of these birds on the
Breadalbane estate under his supervision at 2000.
To enumerate the localities in Scotland in which our
bird now exists and thrives would be tiresome, and
quite out of place in this work. The whole subject
has been most ably treated of by Mr. Harvie-Brown in
his work ‘On the Capercaillie in Scotland’ (1879) ;
and it is more than probable that many of my readers
know a great deal more of this bird in Scotland and
abroad than I can tell them without plunder from
better informed writers than myself. Although fir-
woods are undoubtedly the favourite and usual haunts
of this species, we found it in Northern Spain in a
region where coniferous trees are, if they exist at all,
exceedingly scarce, and where the food of the “ Faisan,”
as the present species is there called, consists of various
berries, ants, beech-mast, acorns, and the buds and
young shoots of birch, alder, and hazel. In Scotland
during the winter months this species seems to prefer
the leaves or ‘needles ”’ of the Scotch fir to any other
102
diet. The distended crop of a fine male, sent to me
from Perthshire, contained a tightly compressed mass
of these needles, that on being liberated, well-nigh
filled an average-sized “chimney-pot ” hat. From the
standard authorities I learn that the “ Great Cock” is
more abundant in Scandinavia and Northern Russia
than elsewhere; but it is to be met with, in numbers
probably varying with the amount of human protection
afforded, throughout the coniferous forests of Northern
and Central Germany, Switzerland, Austria, North
Italy, and both sides of the Pyrenees. In the
Cantabrian range, as I have already stated, it is not
confined to the fir-growing districts. It occurs in the
Carpathians, but I cannot obtain any authentic evidence
of its existence in any part of European Turkey, and
am disposed to think that the many rumours that have
reached me of the existence of “ Wild Turkeys” in
that country must, in spite of solemn asseverations to
the contrary, really have reference to the Great Bustard.
The various methods of shooting Capercaillie in Scotland
and on the Continent have been so fully treated of by
practised hands that a repetition concerning this subject
would be quite superfluous in a picture-book.
Many hundreds of this species are annually sent from
the ports of Northern Europe to our markets during
the winter in a frozen condition. The flesh of the
young birds is, m my opinion, superior to that of
Blackgame, and I have found that even the old cocks
may, by judicious culinary treatment, be rendered into
very palatable food.
The drawing, from which my plate was taken, was
excellently copied by Mr. Thorburn from a beautiful
oil-picture by Mr. Wolf, now in my possession, and
represents the male bird during the performance of his
love-antics. These much resemble those of a domestic
Turkey of the same sex, but are accompanied by a
very remarkable love-song, quite impossible to describe,
but never to be forgotten by those who have once heard
it. When this frenzy possesses the bird, it is possible,
by choosing the right moment, to approach within easy
gun-shot and bring him down from his perch, but the
previous “stalk” has to be carried on with extreme
caution, as the old male Capercaillie is an exceedingly
wary and wideawake bird when in full command of his
senses. This bird is, in my experience, easy to rear,
but not easy to keep alive in an ordinary aviary, as it
requires an extensive range, and during the summer a
variety of food that is by no means always easy to
procure. ‘The Capercaillie frequently interbreeds with
the Blackgame; the male hybrids are most beautiful
birds, but, as is the case with the majority of cross-
bred birds, are sterile. A good figure of one of these
hybrids is given in the article on the Capercaillie in the
Ath edition of ‘ Yarrell.’
los
BLACK GROUSE.
TETRAO TETRIX, Linn.
Tetrao tetrix, Linn. 8. N.i. p. 274 (1766) ; Naum. vi. p. 324;
Macg. i. p. 145 ; Hewitson, i. p. 278; Yarr. ed. 4, iii.
p. 60; Dresser, vii. p. 205.
Coq de bruyére, Faisan, French ; Birkhahn, German ; Cua
furcada, Catalan.
This fine and well-known species is resident and more
or less common in most of the Scottish and many of
our English counties, but from all accounts is gradually
decreasing in numbers in all localities. It is not found
in Ireland, and it appears that the many attempts made
to establish Black-game in that country have hitherto
resulted in failure. On the content of Europe this
bird has a wide range, extending, according to the 4th
edition of Yarrell’s ‘ British Birds,’ from 69° N. lat. to
the Apennines, and from South Holland to the Volga.
I never met with it in Spain, but have good reason to
believe that it is found on the Spanish side of the
Pyrenees in Catalonia. I could hear nothing of it in
the Cantabrian mountains, where the Capercaillie is
well known.
f Newle
I
ae
BLACK GROUS
Tetrao Tetrix, Lim.
Litho. W- Greve, Berlin.
RED GROUSE.
Lagopus scoticus (Zath.).
RED GROUSE.
LAGOPUS SCOTICUS (Lath.).
Tetrao scoticus, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. p. 641 (1790) ; Hewitson,
i. p. 279.
Lagopus scoticus, Macg. i. p. 169; Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 73;
Dresser, vii. p. 165.
Although I have had my full share of days on the
heather in pursuit of Grouse in Scotland, England, and
Ireland, I should find it very difficult to add, from my
personal acquaintance with the bird, anything worthy of
record to the innumerable articles already published
with regard to it from every possible point of view,—
ornithologic, poetic, politico-economic, sporting, and
culinary. ‘To most of my readers the fact that the Red
Grouse is the only bird that we can claim as exclusively
British, is probably well known; all sportsmen are well
aware of the fact that its principal food consists of the
shoots of the common ling and heath, with various
moor-berries, and that, although many Grouse come
down to glean on the oat-stubbles in autumn, they
seldom voluntarily leave their native moors for any
considerable distance, except in extraordinary stress of
weather. It is quite unnecessary here to dilate upon
the enormous sums paid as rent for Grouse-shootings,
the vast increase in the numbers of this bird under
strict preservation, the ravages of the Grouse-disease,
and the attractions of shooting over dogs, or “ driving ;”
but as a lover of birds in general, I would put in a
word of protest against the destruction, I may say the
extermination, of many of our most interesting native
birds in favour of the Grouse; I allude specially to the
Golden Eagle, the Peregrine Falcon, the Merlin, and the
Buzzard. I am well aware of the futility of attempting
to protect these and many other birds from the greed
of collectors, and it cannot be denied that the Falcon
levies its tribute from the moorlands, but I do not like
to believe that there are many who deserve the name of
sportsmen who would deliberately connive at the death
of either Falcon or Eagle for the sake of a few more
Grouse or pounds sterling. I know that some few
enlightened proprietors and lessees of Deer-forests and
Grouse-moors protect the Golden Eagle, but I fear that
my favourite Peregrine for the most part meets with
scant mercy, and in season and out of season I will
not cease to plead for her, and maintain her hereditary
natural rights to her quarry. In my opinion half of the
intense enjoyment of a day on the moors would be gone
were it not for the chance at least of seeing other birds
than the objects of pursuit, and the opportunities of
observing their habits; but I fear that, even amongst
those who understand “ sport’ in its true sense, I shall
meet with but few who can sympathize with me, and to
those who have no real appreciation of the term, it is
useless to appeal.
The most pernicious natural enemy of the Grouse in
Scotland and Ireland is the Grey Crow, but I should be
sorry to preach a crusade of extermination even against
this notorious egg-stealer, whose operations on a Grouse-
moor would be very considerably curtailed by the pre-
sence of a pair or two of resident Peregrines. The
plumage of Grouse from different localities varies so
greatly that to attempt to figure even a few of them
would exceed any reasonable limits, and I think that
my readers will allow that the Plate represents a fairly
typical male bird.
: VW
>
i
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N x
PTARMIGAN,
LAGOPUS MUTUS (Montin).
Tetrao mutus, Montin, Phys. Silsk. Handl. p. 155 (1770).
Tetrao lagopus, Linn. 8. N. i. p. 274 (1776); Naum. vi.
p. 401; Hewitson, i. p. 280.
Lagopus cinereus, Macg. i. p. 187.
Lagopus mutus, Yarr. ed. 4, i. p. 83; Dresser, vii. p. 157.
Perdrix blanche, Gélinotte blanche, French; Alpen-Schnee-
huhn, German; Perdiz blanca, Spanish.
This species is now only to be met with in Great
Britain amongst the summits of the highest mountain-
ranges in Scotland; the change from the breeding-
plumage depicted on Plate 10 into the grey dress of
Plate 11 is effected by a complete moult or change of
feathers, whilst the pure white of the winter is acquired
by change of colour in the old feathers.
The Ptarmigan appears to brave the most severe
stress of winter weather in its alpine haunts, rarely
coming down into the heather below them; its food
consists of mountain-berries of different species, and the
shoots of various alpine plants. The alarm-note of the
old male is a very remarkable guttural croak. As a
rule these birds are not difficult of approach, and
merely attempt to escape observation by crouching
amongst the lichen-covered fragments of rock which
form their favourite resort.
(aqua) STAT
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(wpuo?) statu sic gn]
(NIVALAV) NV OTINGDY,
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ir
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Exit
PTARMIGAN, (wintER).
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opus miutus Wontar).
s
ai
PHEASANT.
PHASIANUS COLCHICUS, Linn.
Phasianus colchicus, Linn. S. N. i. p. 271; Naum. vi.
p- 483; Macg. i. p. 114; Hewittson, i. p. 276; Yarr.
ed. 4, ili. p. 91; Dresser, vil. p. 85.
Fasan, French; Edelfasan, German.
A naturalized species, having been introduced most
likely by the Romans, and certainly known in England
before the Norman Conquest. In its pure form, as
represented on the Plate, unmixed with any other race,
it remained until the close of the last century, since
which time it has become so completely blended with
the Chinese Pheasant (P. forguatus) then introduced,
that, except in a few places, pure-bred birds are now
hardly ever seen.
P. colchicus has also crossed freely with the Japanese
P. versicolor, and even with the very distinct P. reeves?
of China, and with other recently introduced species.
The true home of the Pheasant appears to have been
the eastern shore of the Black Sea, whence, since
classical times, it has spread westwards. [O. 8.]
. Berlin.
Litho. W. Greve.
PHEASANT,
Phasianus colchicus (Linn.).
tis
CHINESE RING-NECKED PHEASANT.
PHASIANUS TORQUATUS, J. F. Gmelin.
Phasianus torquatus, J. F. Gmelin, 8. N. 1. p. 742.
Introduced into this country from China about the end
of the last century, and now so mixed with P. colchicus
that hardly any birds are found that do not show some
evidence of the cross.
The Plate represents the true P. torguatus.
[O. S.]
“Ue VAGID “Ay “ONT
suyouy wtp ‘snyenbsoy, snaeiseyg
“LNWSWHHd GAMORUN-ONIY FASANIHO
8%
COMMON or GREY PARTRIDGE.
PERDIX CINEREA, Lath.
Tetrao perdix, Linn. S. N. i. p. 276 (1766).
Perdix cinerea, Lath. Gen. Syn. Suppl. pt. 1, p. 290 (1787) ;
Naum. vi. p. 477; Macg. i. p. 218; Hewitson, i. p. 281;
Yarr. ed. 4, iil. p. 105; Dresser, vii. p. 181.
Perdrix grise, French; Reb-Feldhuhn, German; Perdiz
gris, Pardilla, Fresana, Spanish.
This well-known bird is to be met with more or less
frequently in all parts of Great Britain, except the more
remote groups of islands, such as the Shetlands and
Outer Hebrides; and is also indigenous, although
comparatively scarce, in Ireland. Draining and careful
cultivation are very favourable to the increase of this
species, and under these conditions and with strict
preservation Partridges have, in some of our English
counties, become extraordinarily abundant.
The largest bag of these birds, of which I have any
record, was made by seven guns on a large estate in
Hampshire in four consecutive days of October 1887,
and amounted to 4079, of which number 1337 were
killed in one day; I need hardly say that these results
were obtained by driving.
Our Partridge is found throughout Europe, with the
exception of the extreme north-east and south and the
islands of the Mediterranean. The plumage and size of
this species vary greatly according to locality, and I
may say that the subjects of the accompanying Plate
were unusually light-coloured specimens.
del J
3
PARTRIDGE.
y
GRE
COMMON or
-Perdix
ig
* >
RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE,
CACCABIS RUFA (Linn.).
Tetrao rufus, Linn. S. N. i. p. 276 (1766).
Perdix rubra, Naum. vi. p. 563; Macg. i. p. 215.
Perdix rufa, Hewitson, i. p. 282.
Caccabis rufa, Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 115; Dresser, vii. p. 103.
Perdrix rouge, French; Roth-Feldhuhn, German ; Perdiz,
Spanish.
The Red-legged Partridge was introduced into our
eastern counties towards the end of the last century,
and finding suitable conditions of soil and climate, soon
became well established there, and has now spread into
many of our English counties. In Spain this species is
very abundant ; it is found in most parts of France, but
is not common in the northern provinces; it is to be
met with in Northern Italy, Corsica, Elba, and other
islands of the ‘Tuscan Archipelago, not in Sardinia or
Sicily, and has not been recorded as occurring out of
Europe.
UP “AVIrH Ay “ogy T
sane UP)
“Ul[eg “@A9I5 “A, “OUIIT
attaqpuuog ‘SIUNWIWOD XIUIN}OD
FJ1wno
QUAIL.
COTURNIX COMMUNIS, Bonnaterre.
Tetrao coturnix, Linn. S. N.1. p. 278 (1766).
Coturnix communis, Bonnaterre, Encycl. Méth. 1. p. 217
(1790) ; Yarr. ed. 4, 11. p. 123; Dresser, vu. p. 143.
Ree
Perdix coturnix, Naum. vi. p. 575.
Coturnix dactylisonans, Macq. 1. p. 233.
Coturnix vulgaris, Hewitson, 1. p. 284.
Caille, French; Wachtel, German; Codorniz, Spanish.
Although I am very intimately acquainted with this
charming little bird, in its natural state, in captivity,
and on the table, it is, I fear, unlikely that I can add
much to the knowledge already in possession of those
of my readers who have either carried guns on the
Mediterranean shores, or read up our standard works
on ornithology. In our own country the Quail has
been steadily decreasing in numbers for many years
past, although it cannot be considered as very rare,
and occasionally, as in the present year 1893, we hear
of unusual numbers of Quails from all parts of the
British Islands. ‘This bird specially loves open country
and badly cultivated weed-covered lands. I know of
several districts in England and Ireland where thirty or
forty years ago the Quail was comparatively abundant,
but is now virtually extinct as a breeding species. I
attribute this disappearance in a considerable measure
to improvement im cleaning the land for tillage, and
also to enclosure ; but the main cause of decrease
throughout Northern Europe is without doubt the
capture of thousands of Quails on the shores of the
Mediterranean during their vernal migration. To give
some idea of the extent of the destruction of Quails
caused by netting in these districts, I quote from
Yarrell to the effect that 160,000 have been taken on
the little island of Capri, im the Bay of Naples, in a
single season; and in May 1874 I was informed by one
of the officers of a steamer then in the harbour of
Messina that they had 12,000 Quails on board alive,
all consigned for the London markets. ‘These birds are
conveyed, very closely packed, in long flat cages, with
only just room for the prisoners to get to the feeding-
troughs. It is certainly remarkable what a small
percentage of deaths occur on the voyage and sub-
sequent journey across France by railroad. The birds
when first caught are thin, and fatten very quickly on
millet and other grain; but, m my opinion, a cage-
fattened spring Quail at its best is not to be compared
for delicacy of flavour to those killed in August and
September in their native haunts, and I consider that
the sale of this species alive or dead should be prohibited
throughout Europe between May Ist and August 20th.
I have frequently observed notices of the occurrence of
Quails during the winter months in this country, in the
‘Field’ and other publications, with expressions of
surprise on the part of the writer ; but, in my experience,
wherever this species breeds, a few always remain
through the cold weather; I have found this to be the
case in Ireland, 8.W. Lancashire, the Cambridgeshire
fens, Northamptonshire, Spain, Sardinia, Sicily, ‘Tunis,
and Epirus. In Lancashire, where I have seen more
Quails than in any other part of England, I observed
that they especially affected oat-stubbles on land that
had been reclaimed from its original condition of peat-
bog or “moss” by deep drainage, but as the land
became dryer and the weeds decreased the Quails
gradually disappeared, and, as regards the locality to
which I am specially referring, I have not heard of the
occurrence of a Quail during the last ten years. So
much has been written about the abundance of this bird
on the spring-passage throughout the countries bordered
by the Mediterranean that it would be quite superfluous
to go into details on the subject ; I will only, then, state
that in the Ionian Islands the spring flights of Quails
are often perfectly marvellous, whilst in some years very
few take that route of northward migration. The nest
of this bird is a simple scratching of the ground with a
few dried bents as lining, and in my experience is
generally situated in grass, lucerne, or common clover,
very often in Spain on the grassy borders of a vast wheat-
field, but seldom actually amongst growing corn of that
kind. TI have, however, found several nests in patches
of barley and rye. I never found more than ten
eges in a nest, but am well aware that larger numbers
are frequently to be met with. I consider Quail-
shooting at the legitimate time of year as very good
sport, as the birds fly very fast, generally lie closely,
and in August, September, and October are well worth
powder and shot. I must confess that in my younger
days I have eagerly pursued and shot many Quails on
their spring-passage, but I repent of this, as every bird
killed at that time of year entails the loss of a bevy, and,
in my opinion, they are hardly worth the trouble of
cooking. In Spain the Quail is a very favourite cage-
bird, and every town and village resounds with its call,
of which the best rendering in English words is, I think,
‘“‘wet my lips,” for the male, and “ phu wee” for the
female. In captivity these birds thrive well, if plenti-
fully supplied with fresh water and sand or fine gravel ;
they become exceedingly tame, but the males are
proverbially pugnacious, hot-blooded, and amorous to a
very extraordinary degree. Common chickweed is the
favourite food of the Quail, but no small grain comes
amiss to it and many “green stuffs” are eagerly
devoured.
CORN-CRAKE or LAND-RAIL,
CREX PRATENSIS, Bechst.
Crex pratensis, Bechstein, Ornith. Taschenb. p. 337 (1803) ;
Naum. ix.p.496; Macg.iv. p.527; Hewitson, u. p. 372 ;
Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 1387; Dresser, vii. p. 291.
Rdle des prés, French ; Wiesen-Ralle, Wachtel-Konig, Ger-
man; Rey de las Codornices, Spanish.
I have advisedly put the name by which this bird is
best known at the head of this article, as I have no
doubt that many who are perfectly well acquainted with
it as the Corn-Crake are not aware that it has another
name; whilst to many the word Corn-Crake simply
conveys a curious sound produced on summer evenings
by an unseen and mysterious creature that seems to be
possessed of the power of being in different places at
the same time.
This bird arrives in England generally about the
third week of April, and, from that season, is to be
heard in all suitable localities for the following three
months; in most of our English arable and meadow
lands the Corn-Crake is seldom to be seen unless
specially searched for with dogs; but in the west of
ysyoag ‘sisuayeid xo19
‘WVA-AGNYI YO ‘AXYVYHO-NUYOO
WIA “BABA “AL “OUT
ri
mits)
foe
Ireland I have more than once seen one or two of these
birds running about unconcernedly on the highroads,
and frequently noticed them perched or running on the
tops of stone walls. The favourite summer haunts of
the Corn-Crake are water-meadows, where they find an
abundance of their favourite diet—slugs, small snails,
and worms and insects, and good concealment for their
nests, which are very simple constructions of dry grasses.
The eggs, of which I consider nine as the average com-
plement, are of a creamy white, thickly spotted and
blotched with rust-colour and grey. As soon as the
meadow-grass is mown the Corn-Crakes resort to over-
grown ditch-sides and fields of standing corn or clover ;
this last-named crop is at all times a usual resort, and
the ease and rapidity with which these birds glide and
double amongst the stems of a dense second crop of
clover must be seen to be believed. Although when
forced to take wing the Corn-Crake flies slowly with
hanging legs and soon drops again, the bird is capable
of swift and long-sustained flight ; it is also possessed of
considerable climbing power.
In Northamptonshire, although our meadows are
generally alive with these birds in the summer, it is
very seldom that our total bag of them in the Partridge
shooting-season reaches to more than ten or twelve,
though they usually remain with us throughout Sep-
tember, and not uncommonly till the middle of October.
In our neighbourhood occurrences after the end of the
latter month are very exceptional, but very many
instances of their stay well into the winter are on record
from various parts of the three kingdoms, especially in
Ireland, where the Corn-Crake is extremely abundant.
The harsh cry of this bird is difficult to render ortho-
graphically, but is easily imitated by a sharp turn of the
handle of a stiff fishing-reel, or by passing a sharp-edged
piece of wood across the teeth of a hair-comb.
This bird, if captured alive, will feign death in a
manner unrivalled by any bird of my acquaintance,
except the Wryneck. Roughly speaking the Corn-Crake
may be said to occur in summer throughout Europe ;
its principal winter-quarters are said to be in South
Africa. No better bird-meat exists than the breast of a
fat Corn-Crake in September,
7
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SPOTTED CRAKE.
CREX PORZANA (Linn.).
Rallus porzana, Linn. 8. N. i. p. 262 (1766).
Crex porzana, Naum. ix. p.523; Macg. iv. p.535; Hewitson,
il. p. 3875.
-Porzana maruetta, Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 148; Dresser, vii.
p. 267.
Poule deau-marouette, French ; Geflecktes Rohr-Huhn,
German; Polluela, Spanish.
This bird is a tolerably common spring visitor to
many of the marshy districts of the three kingdoms,
arriving in March and migrating southwards in
September and October; many remain in our south-
western counties throughout the winter, and when that
season is tolerably mild a few linger in their breeding-
localities in other parts of the country. From my own
experience I consider that in general habits this bird
closely resembles the Corn-Crake, but is more strictly
aquatic than that species, though much less so than the
smaller European Crakes and the Water-Rail. 1 have
generally met with this Crake in England in October,
haunting open marshy meadow-land on the sedgy banks
of streams and ditches, rarely amongst reeds in the
TEAS
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i
autumn, although in the breeding-season it frequents
the reed-beds.
The late Mr. John Hancock, of Newcastle-on-Tyne,
informed me that, in an egg-collecting expedition to
Whittlesea and Yaxley fens in 1843, he and his com-
panion met with the nests and eggs of this species on
the reed-grown shores of the mere, in numbers almost
equal to those of the Water-Rail, which was then a very
abundant resident in the locality. I need hardly tell
my ornithological readers that the celebrated Whittlesea
Mere has been drained for more than forty years, and
its site is now not more interesting, except for old
association’s sake to the lover of birds, than any other
“reclaimed ” district ; but it is a remarkable fact that
of late years the Spotted Crake has visited the valley of
the Nene in the neighbourhood of our home in North-
amptonshire very much more frequently than was the
case before the draining of our nearest fen-lands, in fact
we now look upon this bird as an almost regular annual
visitor in August, September, and October. I have not
hitherto been able, however, to discover that it has ever
bred in our district. From the nature of its autumnal
haunts this bird is more easily flushed than the Corn-
Crake, but it is, in common with that and all the other
species of the Crake family, very averse to taking wing
unless hard pressed, although that it certainly does
travel on wing without any absolute need for so doing is
proved by the fact that several Spotted Crakes have been
picked up under telegraph-wires and brought to me
more or less mutilated by contact with these obstruc-
tions. ‘This bird is a good swimmer, and can dive well
when forced to do so; its flight is comparatively quick
and well sustained when it really means travelling to a
distance ; it is a very noisy bird, and has a variety of
cries, of which one, that I take to be the pairing-call,
much resembles the single “twit” of the Pied Wood-
pecker, but is not so loud or harsh. A sudden loud
noise, such as a clap of thunder or a gunshot, will often
set off all the Crakes in a marsh screaming, twittering,
and whistling for some minutes, but this habit is not
by any means confined to this species, or indeed to its
genus. As I have never myself seen the nest of this
bird zz situ, I must refer my readers for precise details
to other writers, and will merely say that the eggs in
colour and markings resemble those of the Water-Hen
much more than those of the Corn-Crake.
In most of the marshes that border the Mediter-
ranean, at least in the not inconsiderable number of
these districts that I have personally visited, this Crake
is very abundant on the double passage, and more or
less common at other seasons, but I never met with it
anywhere in such numbers as in the great swamps of
Eastern Sicily, where, no doubt, many are permanently
resident.
i
Lad
=
LITTLE CRAKE,
CREX PUSILLA (Bechst.).
Gallinula pusillus, Bechst. Orn. Taschenb. ii. p. 840 (1803).
Crex pusilla, Nawm. ix. p. 547; Macg. iv. p. 541.
Porzana parva, Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 148; Dresser, vii. p. 283.
Poule deau poussin, French; Kleines Sumpfhuhn, German ;
Polluela chica, Spanish.
This Crake is a rare visitor to our country, and,
although it appears to have been more frequently met
with than Baillon’s Crake, I find no record of its having
nested in England, as that species undoubtedly has.
I have no acquaintance with this bird, whose habits in
all probability closely resemble those of its congeners ;
but it is said to be more strictly aquatic than any other
of the true Crake-family.
The figures in the Plate are taken from an adult and
an immature bird sent to me from the great marshes in
the neighbourhood of Valencia, where this Crake is
abundant.
CHROMO-LITHO ART STUDIO, LONDON
ee CRAKE
Crex pusilla (Bechs?.).
SRAKE
S
Y
7¥ os
Py ee
= Xe
[ve
ee ena Semmes Spc aCe TE LET ET LETT
“Gona) WoT]Ieq xXeIg
‘aIVAS SNOTTIYa
“UTLIeg “ACID “AA “OuRT
BAILLON’S CRAKE,
CREX BAILLONI (Vieill.).
Rallus bailloni, Vieild. Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. xxviii.
p- 548 (1819).
Crex pygmea, Nawm. ix. p. 567.
Crex baillonii, Macg. iv. p. 539; Hewitson, 1. p. 377.
Porzana bailloni, Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 154; Dresser, vii. p. 275.
Poule @eau Baillon, French ; Zwerg-Sumpfhuhn, German ;
Polluela chica, Spanish.
This is a rare and irregular visitor to our country,
but has been known to breed on more than one occa-
sion in our eastern counties, and it was within my
recollection by no means uncommon in many parts of
the Netherlands. I have met with Baillon’s Crake in
the great marshes of Eastern Sicily, where it is common
and breeds, and I also obtaimed it in Cyprus; but my
principal acquaintance with this species was formed in
the marshes of the lower Guadalyuivir, where we found
it breeding in great abundance in May 1883. In
general habits this Crake much resembles the better
known Spotted Crake ; but it is decidedly more aquatic
and less often to be met with in open marsh-lands than
that bird. The nests that we found were always well
concealed amongst the dense masses of reeds and sedge
that fringe and often conceal the runs of fresh water
that meander through the vast open “ marisma,’—a
district that im rainy seasons or very high tides is
frequently entirely submerged. The nests that I
examined were exact miniature copies of those of the
common Water-Hen, being loosely composed of reed-
leaves, flags, and sedge. ‘The usual full complement of
eggs was seven; but we occasionally met with five or
SIX partially “set,” and, in once instance, with eight.
These eges vary in colour from a very pale green to
a dark olive ground, but are always very closely
streaked and spotted with brown. The young birds
on leaving the egg are entirely clad with thick jet-black
down. ‘Towards evening these birds come out for a
short distance from the thick covert that they love so
well, and, as far as I could make out, feed largely upon
mosquitos and other small insects; but on the slightest
alarm they glide back at marvellous speed to the safety
of the jungle.
I do not know any bird that is so difficult to flush
as this; the most close hunting-dogs are frequently
entirely baffled, and this species pre-eminently merits the
nickname of “ Mataperros,” = Kall-dogs, applied to it
and the other species of the family by the Spanish
marsh-men. The only remains of food that I could
find in these Crakes by post-mortem examination con-
sisted of small insects and fragments of minute shells ;
but I must admit that I never examined them under a
microscope. ‘This species swims easily and readily,
\S7
but, as far as my own experience goes, seldom ventures
D oJ
upon the open water. If taken alive and unhurt this
Crake, after a few savage pecks at the fingers of its
Be | 8
captor, and one or two struggles to escape, will feign
death, dropping its head, closing its eyes, and becoming
perfectly “limp ;” but keeping a sharp look out, and
stealing off at the first opportunity.
wut ‘snoyenbe snyjey
“TIiVA-HYALVM
“ulieg ‘eA015 "AA “Oq}IT -
WATER-RATL.
RALLUS AQUATICUS, Linn.
Rallus aquaticus, Linn. S. N.i. p. 262 (1766) ; Naum. ix.
be
p- 472; Macg. iv. p. 521; Hewitson, ii. p. 873; Yarr.
ed. 4, ii. p. 159; Dresser, vil. p. 257.
Réle Weau, French; Wasser-Ralle, German; Rascdén,
Polla de agua, Spanish.
To those of my readers who have pursued Snipes or
Ducks in any of the marshes of Europe, it would, I
think, be superfluous to go into details as to the habits
of this well-known bird, which is more or less common
im soft places throughout the Continent and our own
Islands. In localities where the Water-Rail does not
breed it is best known as an autumnal migrant, and is
probably considered as much less common than it really
is, owing to its skulking habits and aversion to take
wing. The nest of this bird is a well-arranged mass
of dead flags, sedge, and reed-leaves, generally placed
amongst thick aquatic vegetation, very often in dense
beds of reed. The eggs are generally from eight to
ten in number, and in colour and markings somewhat
resemble those of the Corn-Crake, but are rounder in
shape; the first broods generally leave the nest before
May, and there is good evidence that the bird rears
two or more broods in the season.
I haye frequently, especially during the prevalence of
floods, seen Water-Rails perched at a considerable
height from the ground in bushes and old thorn-fences ;
but, as-a rule, they keep to the ground and water.
They are good swimmers, and can dive well when pressed
by a dog. In common with most birds of this family,
these Rails are much excited by a sudden noise, such as
the report of a gun or a clap of thunder, and, in places
where they abound, set up a screeching “skirl” that
lasts for some minutes. The usual note is a single
twit, and conveys but a faint idea of the vocal powers
possessed by the Water-Rail. ‘These birds thrive well
in captivity, and, if kept in a small cage, become very
tame and impudent ; in an aviary, however, where they
have means of concealment, they generally avail them-
selves of it to the fullest extent. The flesh of the
breast is fairly good eating ; but I consider the bird as
barely worth a charge of powder and shot.
Litho. W. Greve, Berlin.
WATER-HEN or MOOR-HEN.
Gallinula chloropus (Zinn.).
WATER-HEN or MOOR-HEN,
GALLINULA CHLOROPUS (Linn).
Fulica chloropus, Linn. S. N. i. p. 258 (1766).
Gallinula chloropus, Naum. ix. p. 587; Macg. iv. p. 547;
Hewitson, i. p. 878; Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 164; Dresser,
vil. p. 313.
Poule deau, French; Teich-huhn, Griinfiissiges Wasser-
huhn, German; Polla de Agua, Gallineta de laguna,
Spanish.
This bird, perhaps more generally known as Moor-
Hen, is so common throughout our country that very
little description can be required at my hands by those
sufficiently interested in British Birds to do my artist
the justice of examining his pictures. It is hardly too
much to say that the Water-Hen may be found almost
wherever there are water and aquatic plants of sufficient
growth to afford concealment and shelter, for it is
naturally of a skulking and wary disposition, although,
when unmolested, it soon acquires confidence, and often
becomes exceedingly tame and fearless. ‘These birds
build large nests of dry flags and sedge amongst river-
or lake-side vegetation, on rushy islands, ditch-banks,
and by no means uncommonly in bushes at a consider-
able height from the ground or water-level; seven or
eight eggs is about an average complement in my expe-
rience, but I have often met with nine, and occasionally
with ten. Three broods are generally reared, and I
have repeatedly observed the young birds of the early
broods busily at work with (as I suppose) their parents,
im repairing an old nest or building a new one. The
young birds of the year have a habit also of making
sham nests or platforms of bent-flags and bulrushes as
resting- or roosting-places for their own use. The old
Water-Hens are extremely pugnacious, and are very
dangerous neighbours to young Game-birds and Wild-
fowl, which they not only kill, but will greedily devour.
In spite of these crimes I personally take great delight
in observing the habits of this species, and look upon it
as a great ornament to our waters. As long as it can
find any open waters the Water-Hen will cling to its
favourite haunts, in spite of severe frosts; in fact, so
long did they linger on the Nene in the neighbourhood
of Lilford during the terrible winter of 1890 and 1891,
that a very great number were found dead and dying of
starvation, and at this time of writing (June 1891)
there are certainly not two for every twenty that might
be seen on our river at this season last year. I do not
intend to imply that this loss is solely due to actual
starvation, but the severity of the weather and the ice-
bound river and ponds rendered the poor birds a more
than ever easy prey to their many enemies—the merciless
human loafer and his dog, the fox, the otter, the Sparrow-
Hawk, and the Crow family in general; no doubt I may
safely add the rat and 47s enemies, the stoat and weasel,
to the list. Although not web-footed, the Water-IHen
is a rapid and graceful swimmer and an excellent diver ;
its flesh is by no means bad, and its eggs very good; its
cries, though not musical, especially when the bird is
engaged in a hostile encounter, are somewhat cheery,
and its chuckling note when conducting its brood on a
foraging excursion is anything but unpleasent. Besides
the enemies above mentioned, our poor bird is a very
favourite morsel for the omnivorous pike; we took a
full-grown freshly caught young Water-Hen from the
stomach of one of these fishes of about 6. lbs. weight,
who, in spite of this very recent meal, came ravenously
at our bait—a fair-sized perch.
PURPLE GALLINULE.
PORPHYRIO CA42RULEUS (Vandelli).
Fulica cerulea, Vandelli, Flor. et Faun. Lusit.i. p. 87 (1780).
Porphyrio veterum, Dresser, vii. p. 299.
This species is accorded a place by Lord Lilford in
his ‘ Birds of Northamptonshire ’ (vol. i. p. 828), from the
fact of a living bird having been brought to him in
June 1890, which was caught on the London and North-
Western Railway near Wellingborough, and lived for
seven or eight years in the aviaries at Lilford. Lord
Lilford gives his reasons for considering that the bird
was not likely to have escaped from captivity.
The home of this species is in the countries bordering
the shores of the western part of the Mediterranean.
[O. S.]
PURPLE GALLINULE.
Porphyrio czeruleus (VYundelii).
uuyT “erye OTN
"LOOO
“UPI “BAVID “AA “OUITT S
COOT.
FULICA ATRA, Linn.
Fulica atra, Linn. 8. N. i. p. 257 (1766); Naum. ix. p. 635;
Macg. iv. p. 560; Hewitson, ii. p. 880; Yarr. ed. 4, iii.
p. 171; Dresser, vii. p. 327.
Foulque noire, Macroule, French; Wasserhuhn, Mohren-
huhn, Blisshuhn, German; Mancén, Gallareta,
Spanish.
This bird is more or less common on all large sheets
of fresh water whose banks or islands afford good coyert
of reeds and other aquatic vegetation during the summer
months. It is also frequently to be met with on our
deep and sluggish rivers, and in severe weather the
Coots crowd to the open estuaries and mud-flats on our
coasts. On our main river, the Nen, in Northampton-
shire, the Coot is not abundant, but some years ago,
being anxious to establish some of these birds near
Lilford as an attraction to wild fowl, I obtained some
eggs from the “ Broads ” of Norfolk, and put them into
the nests of Water-Hens. Every egg thus located was
hatched out, and for many years we had a small but
flourishing “ Cootery ” within sight of the house; but I
regret to say that the Coots have now left us for some
time past,owing, no doubt, to the unfortunate fact that our
river is more or less navigable, and open to the depreda-
tions of trippers and loafers upon anything that will float.
Besides this, foxes, otters, stoats, cur-dogs, pike, rats,
and severe weather have all, in varying degrees, contri-
buted to the extinction of the Coots. At present I only
know of one locality in our immediate neighbourhood in
which a pair of these birds occasionally nest, and we
now seldom see more than two or three together on the
unfrozen spots in the river during severe frosts. Our
Coot loves broad open expanses of still water at all
times of the year, and breeds, or used to breed, in great
numbers in the “ Broad ” district of Norfolk to which I
have above alluded. This bird is virtually omnivorous,
but feeds principally upon water-weeds, and mollusca
obtained by diving. When left unmolested, the Coot
becomes very tame and confiding, but it is by nature an
exceedingly wary bird, and I have noticed that Ducks of
all kinds like its company, probably finding it a most
efficient sentinel, although I suspect that, im common
with the other members of this class, the Coot is a
dangerous neighbour to the fledgings of other species.
It is a very active bird on land and water, running
lightly and rapidly over the soft muds, swimming
buoyantly, diving vigorously, and a good flyer, although
when compelled to rise from the water it does so
heavily, and scratches the surface with its toes for
some distance. Coots often climb to a considerable
height im thick bushes and occasionally roost therein.
The nest is a large mass of broken reeds, flags, and
sedges, and is generally built near the edge of a thick
ds
reed-bed ; it is often moored to the reeds, to allow of its
rising or falling with the water. In the lagoons of the
Mediterranean countries Coots congregate in enormous
numbers in the winter, and in Provence, Corsica, and
Sardinia regular battues are organized for their de-
struction on days fixed upon by the local authorities.
On these occasions many hundreds are killed from boats
and from the shores of these brackish lakes, the excite-
ment is intense, and fatal accidents by no means
uncommon. Until I took a part in one of these battues
I had no idea of the speed of a driven Coot, or the
height at which they frequently come over the boats
“down wind”; a rocketting Coot’ in my opinion
presents quite as sporting a shot as a Pheasant in thie
same circumstance, in fact as a test of skill in shooting,
I am inclined to give the preference to the wild, rather
than to the semi-domestic, bird. The flesh of this bird
is highly esteemed in the south of Europe, and is, I
believe, by no means despised in certain British loca-
lities, but in my opinion it is barely edible, even when
dressed by an expert. In Epirus, where the Coot is
exceedingly abundant, I several times witnessed the
curious manner in which these birds defend themselves
from the assaults of feathered enemies by gathering
together in a compact mass and simultaneously throwing
up a sheet of water with their feet when the raptor
made its stoop. On one occasion of this sort, the
assailant, an adult White-tailed Eagle, was so thoroughly
drenched by this device that it had great difficulty in
flapping along to a tree at not more than a hundred
yards from the point of attack. The cry of the Coot is
a loud and peculiar whistle that I have frequently heard
after dark, apparently proceeding from a considerable
height in the air. Some confusion has arisen from the
fact that in the south of France the name of “ Macreuse”’
—the rightful designation of the Scoter—is applied to
the present species.
¥
7) ae
GE Lodge del. J. Smit lith Mintern Bros. imp.
COMMON CRANE.
Grus communis , Beclust.
COMMON CRANE.
GRUS COMMUNIS, Bechst.
Grus communis, Bechstein, Vig. Deutschl. iii. p. 60 (1793) ;
Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 178; Dresser, vii. p. 337.
Ardea grus, Linn. S. N. i. p. 234 (1766).
Grus cinerea, Naum. ix. p. 345; Macg. iv. p. 20; Hewitson,
li. p. 308.
Grue cendrée, French; Kranich, German; Grulla,
Spanish.
This fine species, which, from many ancient records,
appears to have bred pretty commonly in the marshy
districts of the three kingdoms well into the seventeenth
century, is now only an uncommon and irregular visitor
to our islands, generally appearing singly or in small
numbers in the autumn months. [ have a most distinct
recollection of having, when a child, seen two immense
birds flying over Hyde Park corner, which filled me
with astonishment and curiosity; and it was not till
some fifteen years later, when in Spain, I saw Cranes
on the wing, that I was able to identify, without the
slightest doubt, the birds that had so much excited my
youthful mind. Throughout the south of Europe at
the seasons of migration long strings of Cranes may be
often seen, and still more often heard, passing high in
air, and in February and March the great plains to the
south of Seville may generally be correctly called full of
—_— —_— can oie
them.