THOMAS BEWICK'S WORKS.
\\

VOL. I.

BRITISH BIRDS.

VOL. I.
LAND BIRDS.

V

A

?J\

MEMORIAL EDITION OF THOMAS BEWICK'S WORKS,
in 5 vols., royal 8vo.; 750 numbered copies were
printed, of which this is No

NEWCASTLE : R. WARD AND SONS,

April, 1885.

HISTORY

BRITISH BIRDS

BY THOMAS BEWICK.

VOL. I.

CONTAINING THK

HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION

OK

LAND BIRDS.

PRINTED BY R. WARD AND SONS, FOR

BERNARD QUARITCH, 15 PICCADILLY,
LONDON.

1885.

PREFACE.

To those who attentively consider the subject of Natural
History, as displayed in the animal creation, it will appear,
that though much has been done to explore the intricate
paths of Nature, and follow her through all her various
windings, much yet remains to be done before the great
oeconomy is completely developed. Notwithstanding the
laborious and not unsuccessful inquiries of ingenious men
in all ages, the subject is far from being exhausted. Systems
have been formed and exploded, and new ones have ap-
peared in their stead ; but, like skeletons injudiciously put
together, they give but an imperfect idea of that order and
symmetry to which they are intended to be subservient: they
have, however, their use, but it is chiefly the skilful practi-
tioner who is enabled to profit by them; to the less-informed
they appear obscure and perplexing, and too frequently deter
him from the great object of his pursuit.

To investigate, with any tolerable degree of success, the
more retired and distant parts of the animal oeconomy is a
task of no small difficulty. An enquiry so desirable and so
eminently useful would require the united efforts of many to
give it the desired success. Men of leisure, of all descrip-
tions, residing in the country, could scarcely find a more

VOL I.

266192

iv. PREFACE.

delightful employment than in attempting to elucidate, from
their own observations, the various branches of Natural
History, and in communicating them to others. Something
like a society in each county, for the purpose of collecting
a variety of these observations, as well as for general corres-
pondence, would be extremely useful. Much might be ex-
pected from a combination of this kind, extending through
every part of the kingdom; a general mode of communica-
tion might be thereby established, in order to ascertain the
changes which are continually taking place, particularly
among the feathered tribes ; the times of their appearing
and disappearing would be carefully noted; the differences
of age, sex, food, &c., would claim a particular degree of
attention, and would be the means of correcting the errors
which have crept into the works of some of the most eminent
ornithologists, from an over-anxious desire of increasing the
number of species: but it is reserved, perhaps, for times of
greater tranquility, when mankind become more enlightened,
and see clearly the vast importance of a knowledge of every
department of Natural History; or when the mind becomes
less engaged in the vicious, unprofitable, or frivolous pur-
suits of the world, and in lieu of such, leisure shall be
found fully to devote its attention to those objects which
enlarge its powers, give dignity to its exertions, and carry
into the fullest effect plans for investigations of this sort, —
that mistakes will be rectified respecting birds, and their
beauties and uses appreciated, and that they will attract
their due share of attention.

As a naturalist, no author has been more successful than
the celebrated Count de Buffon : despising the restraints
which methodical arrangements generally impose, he ranges
at large through the various walks of Nature, and describes
her with a brilliancy of colouring which only the most lively
imagination could suggest. It must, however, be allowed,
that in many instances this ingenious philosopher has over-
stepped the bounds of Nature, and, in giving the reins to

PREFACE. V.

his own luxuriant fancy, has been too frequently hurried into
the wild paths of conjecture and romance. The late Mr.
White, of Selborne, has added much to the general stock
of knowledge on this delightful subject, by attentively and
faithfully recording whatever fell under his own observation,
and by liberal communications to others.

As far as we could, consistently with the plan laid down
in the following work, we have consulted, and we trust with
some advantage, the works of Willoughby, Ray, and other
naturalists. In the arrangement of the various classes, as
well as in the descriptive part, we have taken as guides
our intelligent and indefatigable countrymen, Pennant and
Latham,* to whose elegant and useful labours the world is
indebted for a fund of the most rational entertainment, and
who wilt be remembered by every lover of Nature as long
as her works have power to charm. The communications
with which we have been favoured by those gentlemen who
were so good as to notice our growing work, have been
generally acknowledged, each in its proper place; it remains
only that we be permitted to insert this testimony of our
grateful sense of them.

In a few instances we have ventured to depart from the
usual method of classification :f by placing the hard-billed
birds, or those which live chiefly on seeds, next to those of
the Pie kind, there seems to be a more regular gradation
downwards, since only a few anomalous birds such as the
Cuckoo, Hoopoe, Nuthatch, &c., intervene. The soft-billed
birds, or those which subsist chiefly on worms, insects, and
such like, are by this mode placed altogether, beginning
witli those of the Lark kind. To this we must observe that
by dividing the various families of birds into two grand

* The works of Col. Montagu have also been consulted in pre-
paring the later editions for the press.

t These remarks on classification, relate to the author's arrange-
ment in the previous editions of this work.

VI. PREFACE.

divisions, viz., Land and Water, a number of tribes have
thereby been included among the latter, which can no other-
wise be denominated Water Birds than as they occasionally
seek their food in moist places, by small streamlets, or on
the sea-shore; such as the Curlew, Woodcock, Snipe, Sand-
piper, and many others. These, with such as do not com-
mit themselves wholly to the waters, are thrown into a
separate division under the denomination of Waders. The
King-fisher lives entirely on fish, is constantly found on the
margins of still waters, and may with greater propriety be
denominated a Water Bird than many which come under
that description ; the Water Ouzel seems to have no con-
nection with those birds among which it is usually classed;
it is generally found among rapid-running streams, in which
it chiefly delights, and from which it derives its support.

It may be proper to observe, that while one of the editors
of this work was engaged in preparing the cuts, which are
faithfully drawn from Nature, and engraved upon wood, the
compilation of the descriptions of the first edition (of the
Land Birds) was undertaken by the other, subject, however,
to the corrections of his friend, whose habits had led him to
a more intimate acquaintance with this branch of Natural
History: the compiler, therefore, is answerable for the de-
fects which may be found in this part of the undertaking,
concerning which he has little to say, but that it was the
production of those hours which could be spared from a
laborious employment, and on that account he hopes the
severity of criticism will be spared, and that it will be re-
ceived with that indulgence which has been already ex-
perienced on a former occasion.

Neivcast/e-upon-Tvne, September,

INTRODUCTION

TO THK

HISTORY OF BRITISH LAND BIRDS,

IN no part of the animal creation are the wisdom, the good-
ness, and the bounty of Providence displayed in a more
lively manner than in the structure, formation, and various
endowments of the feathered tribes. The symmetry and
elegance discoverable in their outward appearance, although
highly pleasing to the sight, are yet of much greater im-
portance when considered with respect to their peculiar
habits and modes of living, to which they are eminently
subservient.

viii. INTRODUCTION.

Instead of the large head and formidable jaws, the deep
capacious chest, the brawny shoulders, and sinewy legs of
the quadrupeds, we observe the pointed beak, the long and
pliant neck, the gently swelling shoulder, the expansive
wings, the tapering tail, the light and bony feet ; which are
all wisely calculated to assist and accelerate their motion
through the yielding air. Every part of their frame is
formed for lightness and buoyancy ; their bodies are covered
with a soft and delicate plumage, so disposed as to protect
them from the intense cold of the atmosphere through which
they pass : their wings are made of the lightest materials,
and yet the force with which they strike the air is so great as
to impel their bodies forward with astonishing rapidity,
whilst the tail serves the purposes of a rudder to direct them
to the different objects of their pursuit. The internal struc-
ture of birds is no less wisely adapted to the same purposes:
all the bones are light and thin, and all the muscles, except
those which are appropriated to the purpose of moving the
wings, are extremely delicate and light ; the lungs are placed
close to the back-bone and ribs; the air entering into them
by a communication from the windpipe, passes through, and
is conveyed into a number of membraneous cells which lie
upon the sides of the pericardium, and communicate with
those of the sternum. In some birds these cells are con-
tinued down the wings, and extended even to the pinions,
thigh-bones, and other parts of the body, which can be HI led
and distended with air at the pleasure of the animal.

The extreme singularity of this almost universal diffusion
of air through the bodies of birds, has excited a strong
desire to discover the intention of Nature in producing a
conformation so extraordinary. The ingenious Mr. Hunter
imagined that it might be intended to assist the animal in
the act of flying, by increasing its bulk and strength, with-
out adding to its weight. This opinion was corroborated by
considering, that the feathers of birds, and particularly those
of the wings, contain a great quantity of air. In opposition

INTRODUCTION. ix.

to this, he informs us that the Ostrich, which does not fly,
is nevertheless provided with air-cells dispersed through its
body; that the Woodcock, and some other flying birds, are
not so liberally supplied with these cells; yet, he elsewhere
observes, that it may be laid down as a general rule, that in
birds who are enabled to take the highest and longest flights,
as the Eagle, this extension or diffusion of air is carried fur-
ther than in others; and, with regard to the Ostrich, though
it is deprived of the power of flying, it runs with amazing
rapidity, and consequently requires similar resources of air.
It seems therefore to be proved, evidently, that this general
diffusion of air through the bodies of birds is of infinite use
to them, not only in their long and laborious flights, but
likewise in preventing their respiration from being stopped
or interrupted by the rapidity of their motion through a re-
sisting medium. Were it possible for man to move with the
swiftness of a Swallow, the actual resistance of the air, as
he is not provided with internal reservoirs similar to those
of birds, would soon suffocate him.*

Birds may be distinguished, like quadrupeds, into two
kinds or classes — granivorous and carnivorous; like quadru-
peds too, there are some that hold a middle nature, and par-
take of both. Granivorous birds are furnished with larger
intestines, and proportionally longer, than those of the car-
nivorous kind. Their food, which consists of grain of
various sorts, is conveyed whole and entire into the first
stomach or craw, where it undergoes a partial dilution by a
liquor secreted from the glands and spread over its surface ;
it is then received into another species of stomach, where it
is further diluted; after which it is transmitted into the

* May not this universal diffusion of air through the bodies of
birds, account for the superior heat of this class of animals ? The
separation of oxygen from respirable air, and its mixture with the
blood by means of the lungs, is supposed, by the ingenious Dr.
Crawford, to be the efficient cause of animal heat.
VOL. I. b

X. INTRODUCTION.

gizzard, or true stomach, consisting of two very strong mus-
cles, covered externally with a tendinous substance, and
lined with a thick membrane of prodigious power and
strength: in this place the food is completely triturated, and
rendered fit for the operation of the gastric juices. The ex-
traordinary powers of the gizzard in comminuting the food,
so as to prepare it for digestion, would exceed all credibility,
were they not supported by incontrovertible facts founded
upon experiments. In order to ascertain the strength of
these stomachs, the ingenious Spalanzani made the follow-
ing curious and very interesting experiments: — Tin tubes,
full of grain, were forced into the stomachs of Turkeys, and
after remaining twenty hours, were found to be broken,
compressed, and distorted in the most irregular manner.*
In proceeding further, the same author relates, that the
stomach of a Cock, in the space of twenty-four hours, broke
off the angles of a piece of rough jagged glass, and upon
examining the gizzard no wound or laceration appeared.
Twelve strong needles were firmly fixed in a ball of lead,
the points of which projected about a quarter of an inch
from the surface; thus armed, it was covered with a case of
paper, and forced down the throat of a Turkey; the bird
retained it a day and a half, without showing the least symp-
tom of uneasiness; the points of all the needles were broken
off close to the surface of the ball, except two or three, of
which the stumps projected a little. The same author re-
lates another experiment, seemingly still more cruel : he
fixed twelve small lancets, very sharp, in a similar ball of
lead, which was given in the same manner to a Turkey-cock,
and left eight hours in the stomach; at the expiration of
which the organ was opened, but nothing appeared except
the naked ball, the twelve lancets having been broken to
pieces, the stomach remaining perfectly sound and entire.
From these curious and well-attested facts, we may conclude,

* Spalanzani's Dissertations, vol. i, page 12.

INTRODUCTION. xL

that the stones so often found in the stomachs of many of
the feathered tribes, are highly useful in comminuting grain
and other hard substances which constitute their food.
" The stones," says the celebrated Mr. Hunter, " assist in
grinding down the grain, and, by separating its parts, allow
the gastric juices to come more readily into contact with
it." Thus far the conclusion coincides with the experi-
ments which have just been related. We may observe still
further, that stones thus taken into the stomachs of birds,
are seldonrknown to pass with the faeces, but being ground
down and separated by the powerful action of the gizzard,
are mixed with the food, and, no doubt, contribute essen-
tially to the health of the animal.

Granivorous birds partake much of the nature and dispo-
sition of herbivorous quadrupeds. In both, the number of
their stomachs, the length and capacity of their intestines,
and the quality of their food, are very similar; they are like-
wise both distinguished by the gentleness of their tempers
and manners. Contented with the seeds of plants, with
fruits, insects, and worms, their chief attention is directed
to procuring food, hatching and rearing their offspring, and
avoiding the snares of men, and the attacks of birds of prey,
and other rapacious animals. They are a mild and gentle
race, and are in general so tractable as easily to be domesti-
cated. Man, attentive and watchful to every thing condu-
cive to his interest, has not failed to avail himself of these
dispositions, and has judiciously selected from the numbers
which every way surround him, those which are most pro-
lific, and consequently most profitable: of these the Hen,
the Goose, the Turkey, and the Duck are the most consider-
able, and form an inexhaustible store of rich, wholesome,
and nutritious food.

Carnivorous birds are distinguished by those endowments
and powers with which they are furnished by Nature for the
purpose of procuring their food: they are provided with
wings of great length, the muscles which move them being

Xll. INTRODUCTION.

proportionally large and strong, whereby they are enabled
to keep long upon the wing in search of their prey; they are
armed with strong hooked bills, and sharp and formidable
claws; they have also large heads, short necks, strong and
brawny thighs, and a sight so acute and piercing, as to en-
able them to view their prey from the greatest heights in the
air, upon which they dart with inconceivable swiftness and
undeviating aim ; their stomachs are smaller than those of
the granivorous kinds, and their intestines are much shorter.
The analogy between the structure of rapacious birds and
carnivorous quadrupeds is obvious ; both of them are pro-
vided with weapons which indicate destruction and rapine;
their manners are fierce and unsocial ; and they seldom live
together in flocks, like the inoffensive granivorous tribes.
When not on the wing, rapacious birds retire to the tops of
sequestered rocks, or to the depths of extensive forests,
where they conceal themselves in sullen and gloomy solitude.
Those which feed on carrion are endowed with a sense of
smelling so exquisite, as to enable them to scent putrid car-
cases at astonishing distances.

Without the means of conveying themselves with great
swiftness from one place to another, birds could not easily
subsist ; the food which Nature has so bountifully provided
for them is so irregularly distributed, that they are obliged
to take long journies to distant parts in order to gain the ne-
cessary supplies: at one time it is given in great abundance;
at another it is administered with a very sparing hand ; and
this is one cause of those migrations so peculiar to the fea-
thered tribes. Besides the want of food, there are two other
causes of migration, viz., the want of a proper tempera-
ture of air, and a convenient situation for the great work of
breeding and rearing their young. Such birds as migrate
to great distances are alone denominated birds of passage;
but most birds are, in some measure, birds of passage,
although they do not migrate to places remote from their
former habitations. At particular times of the year, most

INTRODUCTION. Xlll

birds remove from one country to another, or from the more
inland districts towards the shores : the times of these
migrations or flittings are observed with most astonishing
order and punctuality ; but the secrecy of their departure, and
the suddenness of their re-appearance, have involved the sub-
ject of migration in general in great difficulty. Much of this
difficulty arises from our not being able to account for their
means of subsistence during* the long flights of many of
those birds which are obliged to cross immense tracts of
water before they arrive at the places of their destination:
accustomed to measure distance by the speed of those ani-
mals with which we are well acquainted, we are apt to over-
look the superior velocity with which birds are carried for-
ward in the air, and the ease with which they continue
their exertions for a much longer time than can be done by
the strongest quadruped.

Our swiftest horses are supposed to go at the rate of a
mile in somewhat less than two minutes; and we have one
instance on record of a horse being tried, which went at the
rate of nearly a mile in one minute, but that was only for
the small space of a second of time.* In this and similar
instances we find, that an uncommon degree of exertion is
attended with its usual consequences, debility, and a total
want of power to continue that exertion; but the case is
very different with birds; their motions are not impeded by
similar causes; they glide through the air with a quickness
superior to that of the swiftest quadruped, and they can con-
tinue on the wing with equal speed for a considerable length
of time. Now, if we can suppose a bird to go at the rate of
only half a mile in a minute, for the space of twenty-four
hours, it will have gone over, in that time, an extent of
more than seven hundred miles, which is sufficient to ac-
count for almost the longest migration; but if aided by a
favourable current of air, there is reason to suppose that the

* See History of Quadrupeds.

XIV. INTRODUCTION.

same journey may be performed in a much shorter space of
time. To these observations we may add, that the sight of
birds is peculiarly quick and piercing; and from the advan-
tage they possess in being raised to considerable heights in
the air, they are enabled, with a sagacity peculiar to in-
stinctive knowledge, to discover the route they are to take,
from the appearance of the atmosphere, the clouds, the
direction of the winds, and other causes; so that, without
having recourse to improbable modes, it is easy to conceive,
from the velocity of their speed alone, that most birds may
transport themselves to countries lying at great distances,
and across vast tracts of ocean.

The following observations from Catesby are very appli-
cable; and shall conclude our remarks on this head: — " The
manner of their journey ings may vary according as the
structure of their bodies enables them to support themselves
in the air. Birds with short wings, such as the Redstart,
Black-cap, &c., may pass by gradual and slower movements;
and their seems no necessity for a precipitate passage, as
every day affords an increase of warmth, and a continuance
of food. It is probable these itinerants may perform their
journey in the night time, in order to avoid ravenous birds,
and other dangers which day-light may expose them to.
The flight of the smaller birds of passage across the seas has,
by many, been considered as wonderful, and especially with
regard to those with short wings, among which Quails seem,
by their structure, little adapted for long flights ; nor are
they ever seen to continue on the wing for any length of
time, and yet their ability for such flights cannot be doubted.
The coming of these birds is certain and regular, from every
year's experience, but the cause and manner of their depar-
ture have not always been so happily accounted for; in short,
all we know of the matter ends in this observation, — that
Providence has created a great variety of birds and other
animals with constitutions and inclinations adapted to their
several wants and necessities, as well as to the different

INTRODUCTION. XV.

degrees of heat and cold in the several climates of the world
whereby no country is destitute of inhabitants, and has given
them appetites for the productions of those countries whose
temperature is suited to their nature, as well as knowledge
and ability to seek and find them out."

The migration of the Swallow tribe has been noticed by
almost every writer on the natural history of birds, and
various opinions have been formed respecting their dis-
appearance, and the state in which they exist during that in-
terval. Some naturalists suppose that they do not leave this
island at the end of autumn, but that they lie in a torpid
state till the beginning of summer, in the banks of rivers, in
the hollows of decayed trees, in holes and crevices of old
buildings, in sand banks and the like. That those which
have been left behind, as well as other birds of passage, as
soon as the cold weather sets in, fall into a torpid state, and
remain so till the return of warmth brings them out of it, are
facts which are now not doubted. But as to their passing
the winter immersed in water, and being found there in
" clusters, mouth to mouth, wing to wing, foot to foot," and
of their creeping down reeds to their subaqueous retreats, as
believed by Klein, as well as the similar description trans-
lated from Kami's Travels in North America, though these
marvellous narratives have been credited by some ornitho-
logists, yet nothing can exceed the absurdity of both ac-
counts.*

* Extract of a letter from the Rev. Wm. Floyer Cornish, of Tot-
ness, Devon, dated April 10, 1826: — "Being much interested in these
delightful little visitors (the summer migratory birds), and at the
same time very desirous to try whether I could keep them in health
during the winter, I will inform you of the result of my experiments.

"I began with Nightingales, which I procured from London, and
have kept them in perfect health, and stout in song, for several
years ; those that I have had have been old birds, taken in the spring
soon after their arrival in England ; they seldom recommenced their
song till towards the end of the year, when they sang as finely as
those in their native woods. Having succeeded so well with ' the

Xvi. INTRODUCTION.

The celebrated Mr. John Hunter informs us, " that he had
dissected many Swallows, but found nothing in them differ-

leaders of the vernal chorus/ my next attempt was with the Black-
caps, but these have been nestlings. I have had two for the last
three years, in perfect health and full song ; another, which I reared
.last year, is at this moment roaring away most powerfully. I have
kept also the larger as well as the smaller White-throats ; three of
the latter description, reared from the nest, have been with me for
more than three years ; one of them, while I am now writing, is
warbling his little song very sweetly ; two of them are cocks, and the
other a hen, and they live very happily together, and are perfectly
tame ; they are so gentle and familiar, that they will take any little
delicacy frpm our fingers or our lips, and are particularly fond of
sugar and fruit, both of which I have seldom omitted giving to them,
as well as to the Black-caps, every day; and at this season of the
year, they regularly seem to expect their bit of apple. The song of
the larger White-throat is much louder and more agreeable, but I
have none of them at present. In consequence of seeing, in your
history of the Swallow, the successful result of a gentleman in Lon-
don to preserve them during the winter, I resolved to make the at-
tempt of rearing some nestlings, which I did last year. On the I2th
of July, a nest was brought to me by my desire, containing three
young ones pretty well fledged; one of them, which I think was a
hen, a few weeks after I had it, forced its way through the wires of
the cage, and flew away perfectly strong, and joined others of its
species which were flying near the house : the others, which are cock
birds, have remained quite healthy during the winter, and cheered us
particularly with their simple song on Christmas-day. They moulted
towards the latter end of the year, but during the whole of this weak-
ening period they did not cease to sing, not only during the day, but
in the evening; in the cold weather the cage was well wrapped up
and covered over with green baize: as the weather is now become
milder, their covering is partially withdrawn : they have always been
kept in a warm room, and occasionally been placed near a window;
but when it was at all cold, they retired to their perch, which is
covered with baize, as far as possible from it. Their food is the
same which I give to the other summer birds — beef, mutton, veal, or
lamb, not over dressed, chopped very small, and mixed with hard
eggs, yellow as well as white, and a little chopped hempseed, on
which they have thriven very well."

INTRODUCTION xvii.

ent from other birds as to the organs of respiration," and
therefore concludes that it is highly absurd to suppose that
terrestrial animals can remain any long time under water
without being drowned.

We have observed a single Swallow so late as the latter
end of October; others assert that they have often been seen
till near Christmas. Mr. White, in his Natural History of
Selborne, mentions having seen a House Martin flying about
in November, long after the general migration had taken
place. Many more instances might be given of such late
appearances.

To the many on record we shall add the following, which
we received from a very intelligent master of a vessel, who,
whilst he was sailing early in the spring between the islands
of Minorca and Majorca, saw great numbers of Swallows
flying northward, many of which, from fatigue, alighted on
the rigging of the ship in the evening, but disappeared
before morning. After all our enquiries into this branch of
natural ceconomy, much yet remains to be known, and we
may conclude in the words of the pleasing and accurate Mr.
White, "that whilst we observe with delight, with how
much ardour and punctuality these little birds obey the
strong impulse towards migration or hiding, imprinted on
their minds by their great Creator, it is with no small degree
of mortification we reflect, that after all our pains and
enquiries, we are not yet quite certain to what regions they
do migrate, and are still farther embarrassed to find that
some actually do not migrate at all."

"Amusive birds! say where your hid retreat,
" When the frost rages, and the tempests beat;
" Whence your return, by such nice instinct led,
"When spring, sweet season, lifts her bloomy head!
" Such baffled searches mock man's prying pride,
" The GOD of NATURE is your secret guide!"

Most birds, at certain seasons, live together in pairs; the
union is formed in the spring, and generally continues whilst
VOL. i. c

XVlii. INTRODUCTION.

the united efforts of both are necessary in forming their
temporary habitations, and in rearing and maintaining their
offspring. Eagles and other birds of prey continue their
attachment for a much longer time, and sometimes for life.
The nests of birds are constructed with such exquisite art, as
to exceed the utmost exertion of human ingenuity to imitate
them. Their mode of building, the materials they make use
of, as well as the situations they select, are as various as the
different kinds of birds, and are all admirably adapted to
their several wants and necessities. Birds of the same spe-
cies, whatever region of the globe they inhabit, collect the
same kind of materials, arrange them in the same manner,
and make choice of similar situations for fixing the places of
their temporary abodes. To describe minutely the different
kinds of nests, the various substances of which they are com-
posed, and the judicious choice of situations, would swell
this part of our work much beyond its due bounds. Every
part of the world furnishes materials for the serial architects :
leaves and small twigs, roots and dried grass, mixed with
clay, serve for the external; whilst moss, wool, fine hair, and
the softest animal and vegetable downs, form the warm in-
ternal part of these commodious dwellings. The following
beautiful lines from Thomson are highly descriptive of the
busy scene which takes place during the time of nidifica-
tion : —

" Some to the holly hedge,

" Nestling, repair, and to the thicket some;

" Some to the rude protection of the thorn

" Commit their feeble offspring: the cleft tree

" Offers its kind concealment to a few,

" Their food its insects, and its moss their nests :

" Others, apart, far in the grassy dale

"Or roughening waste, their humble texture weave:

" But most in woodland solitudes delight,

" In unfrequented glooms or shaggy banks,

" Steep, and divided by a babbling brook,

" Whose murmurs soothe them all the live-long day,

INTRODUCTION. XIX

"When by kind duty fixed. Among the roots

" Of hazel, pendent o'er the plaintive stream,

" They frame the first foundation of their domes,

" Dry sprigs of trees, in artful fabric laid,

" And bound with clay together. Now 'tis nought

" But restless hurry through the busy air,

" Beat by unnumber'd wings. The Swallow sweeps

" The slimy pool, to build the hanging house

" Intent: and often from the careless back

" Of herds and flocks, a thousand tugging bills

" Pluck hair and wool; and oft, when unobserved,

" Steal from the barn a straw; till soft and warm,

"Clean and complete, their habitation grows."

After the business of incubation is over, and the young are
sufficiently able to provide for themselves, the nests are
abandoned by the parents, excepting by those of the Eagle
kind.

The various gifts and endowments which the great Author
of Nature has so liberally bestowed upon his creatures,
demand, in a peculiar manner, the attention of the curious
Naturalist; among the feathered tribes in particular, there
is much room, in this respect, for minute and attentive in-
vestigation. In pursuing our inquiries into that system of
reconomy, by which every part of Nature is upheld and pre-
served, we are struck with wonder in observing the havock
and destruction which every where prevail throughout the
various orders of beings inhabiting the earth. Our humanity
is interested in that law of Nature which devotes to destruc-
tion myriads of creatures to support and continue the ex-
istence of others ; but although it is not allowed us to unravel
the mysterious workings of Nature through all her parts, or
unfold her deep designs, we are, nevertheless, strongly led
to the consideration of the means by which individuals, as
well as species, are preserved. The weak are frequently
enabled to elude the pursuits of the strong by flight or
stratagem; some are screened from the pursuits of their

XX. INTRODUCTION.

enemies by an arrangement of colours happily assimilated
to the places which they most frequent, and where they find
either food or repose: thus the Wryneck is scarcely to be
distinguished from the bark of the tree on which it feeds; or
the Snipe from the soft and mossy ground by the springs of
water which it frequents : the Great Plover finds its chief
security in stony places, to which its colours are so nicely
adapted, that the most exact observer may be very easily
deceived. The attentive ornithologist will not fail to dis-
cover numerous instances of this kind, such as the Partridge,
Plover, Quail, &c.

Some are indebted to the brilliancy of their colours as
the means of alluring their prey; of this the King-fisher is a
remarkable instance, and deserves to be particularly noticed.
This beautiful bird has been observed, in some sequestered
place near the edge of a rivulet, exposing the vivid colours
of its breast to the full rays of the sun, and fluttering with
expanded wings over the smooth surface of the water; the
fish, attracted by the brightness and splendour of the ap-
pearance, are detained, whilst the wily bird darts down
upon them, with unerring aim. We do not say that the
mode of taking fish by torch-light has been derived from
this practised by the King-fisher, but every one must be
struck by the similarity of the means. Others, again, de-
rive the same advantage from the simplicity of their exterior
appearance; of this the Heron will serve for an example.
He may frequently be seen standing motionless by the
edge of a piece of water, waiting patiently the approach
of his prey, which he never fails to seize as soon as it
comes within reach of his long neck; he then re-assumes
his former position, and continues to wait with the same
patient attention as before.

Most of the smaller birds are supported, especially when
young, by a profusion of caterpillars, small worms, and
insects; on these they feed, and thus they contribute to
preserve the vegetable world from destruction. This is

INTRODUCTION. xxi.

contrary to the commonly-received opinion, that birds, par-
ticularly Sparrows, do much mischief in destroying the la-
bours of the gardener and the husbandman. It has been
observed, "that a single pair of Sparrows, during the time
they are feeding their young, will destroy about four thou-
sand caterpillars weekly; they likewise feed their young with
butterflies and other winged insects, each of which, if not
destroyed in this manner, would be productive of many
thousands of caterpillars." Swallows are almost continually
upon the wing, and in their curious winding flights destroy
immense numbers of flies and other insects, which are con-
tinually floating in the air, and which, if not destroyed by
these birds, would render it unfit for the purposes of life and
health.

That active little bird, the Tomtit, which is generally sup-
posed hostile to the young and tender buds that appear in
the spring, when attentively observed, may be seen running
up and down among the branches, and picking up the eggs*
of insects, or the small maggots or worms that are concealed
in the blossoms, and which would effectually destroy the
fruit. As the season advances, various other small birds,
such as the Redbreast, Wren, Hedge Warbler, White-throat,
Redstart, &c., are all engaged in the same useful work, and
may be observed examining every leaf and feeding upon the
insects which they find beneath them. These are a few
instances of that superintending providential care, which is
continually exerted in preserving the various ranks and or-
ders of beings in the scale of animated Nature; and although
it is permitted that myriads of individuals should every mo-
ment be destroyed, not a single species is lost, but every link
of the great chain remains unbroken.

Great Britain produces a more abundant variety of birds
than most northern countries, owing to the various condition
of our lands, from the highest state of cultivation to that of

* On these they almost solely live in winter.

XX11. INTRODUCTION.

the wildest, most mountainous, and woody. The great
quantities of berries and other kinds of fruit produced in our
hedges, heaths, and plantations, bring small birds in great
numbers, and birds of prey in consequence: our shores, and
the numerous little islands adjacent to them, afford shelter
and protection to an infinite variety of almost all kinds of
water fowl. To enumerate the various kinds of birds that
visit this island annually will not, we presume, be unaccept-
able to our readers, nor improper in this part of our work.
The following are chiefly selected from Mr. White's Natural
History of Selborne, and are arranged nearly in the order
of their appearing : —

1. Wryneck Middle of March.

2. Smallest Willow Wren . . . Latter end of ditto.

3. House Swallow . . . -. . Middle of April.

4. Martin Middle of April.

5. Sand Martin Ditto.

6. Blackcap Ditto.

7. Nightingale Beginning of April.

8. Cuckoo . Middle of ditto.

9. Middle WTillow Wren . . . Ditto.

10. White-throat Ditto.

11. Redstart Ditto.

12. Great Plover or Stone Curlew . End of March.

13. Grasshopper Lark .... Middle of April.

14. Swift Latter end of ditto.

15. Lesser Reed Sparrow . .

1 6. Com Crake or Land Rail . .

17. Largest Willow Wren . . . End of April.

1 8. Fern Owl Latter end of May.

19. Flycatcher Middle of ditto.*

* This, according to Mr. White, is the latest summer bird of pas-
sage; but the arrival of some of the summer birds is very uncertain :
those which are the first in some seasons, are the last in others : this
can only be determined by their song.

INTRODUCTION. xxiii.

To this list of migratory birds, some ornithologists have
added the Larks, Ouzels, Thrushes, and Starlings.

Most of the soft-billed birds feed on insects, and not on
grain or seeds, and therefore usually retire before winter;
but the following, though they eat insects, remain with us
during the whole year, viz., the Redbreast, Hedge Warbler,
and Wren, which frequent out-houses and gardens, and eat
spiders, small worms, crumbs, &c.; the Pied, the Yellow,
and the Grey Wagtail, which frequent the heads of springs,
where the waters seldom freeze,, and feed on the aureliae of
insects usually deposited there. Besides these, the Whinchat,
the Stonechat, and the Golden-crested Wren,* are seen with
us during the winter; the latter, though the least of all the
British birds, is very hardy, and can endure the utmost
severity of our winters. The Wheatear, though not com-
mon, sometimes stays the winter with us. — Of the winter
birds of passage, the following are the principal, viz.: —

1. The Redwing.

2. The Fieldfare. — [Both these arrive in great numbers
about Michaelmas, and depart about the end of February,
or beginning of March, but are sometimes detained by east-
erly winds till the middle of April.]

3. The Hooded Crow visits us in the beginning of winter,
and departs with the Woodcock.

* A pair of these little birds alighted on the deck of a ship,
belonging to Newcastle, commanded by John Tone, when the ves-
sel had passed about mid-seas over between Newfoundland and the
British shores. The captain nursed them in the cabin with all pos-
sible tenderness, but without success, for they were found the next
morning dead, each with its head under the other's wing; they most
likely had been blown out of their course by a tempest, in their long
migratory flight from Sweden, Norway, or Lapland, to their halting
places, the Zetland or the Orkney Isles, or had been driven, in their
last passage to this country, off the land, by adverse gales ; like
many thousands of other land birds thus blown to sea to become
food for fishes.

xxiv. INTRODUCTION.

4. The Woodcock appears about Michaelmas, and leaves
us about the beginning of March, but is sometimes detained
till the middle of April.

5. Snipes are considered by Mr. White as birds of pas-
sage, though he acknowledges that they frequently breed
with us. Mr. Pennant remarks, that their young are so fre-
quently found in Britain, that it may be doubted whether
they ever entirely leave this island.

6. The Judcock.

7. The Wild Pigeon. — [Of the precise time of its arrival
we are not quite certain, but suppose it may be some time
in April. Some ornithologists assert that they do not mi-
grate. Very little seems to be certainly known of the stay
and departure of this species of Dove.]

8. The Wild Swan frequents the coasts of this island in
large flocks, but it is not supposed to breed with us. It
has been chiefly met with in the northern parts, and is
said to arrive at Lingey, one of the Hebrides, in October,
and to remain there till March, when it retires more north-
ward to breed.

9. The Wild Goose passes southward in October, and
returns northward in April.*

With regard to the Duck kind in general, they are mostly
birds of passage. Mr. Pennant says, "Of the numerous
species that form this genus, we know of no more than five
that breed here, viz., the Tame Swan, the Tame Goose, the
Shield Duck, the Eider Duck, and a very small number of
the Wild Ducks : the rest contribute to form that amazing
multitude of water fowls that annually repair from most

* Sometimes, for reasons not yet accounted for by naturalists,
they return northward at the latter end of the year.
A flock passed over Newcastle northward on the 6th of December,

1813.

Another passed on the 22nd of December, 1813.
Another on the 25th November, 1814.

One passed southward on the I2th December, 1814, and they have
often since been noticed to pass in the same way.

INTRODUCTION. XXV.

parts of Europe to the woods and lakes of Lapland and
other arctic regions, there to perform the functions of in-
cubation and nutrition in full security. They and their
young quit their retreats in September, and disperse them-
selves over Europe. With us they make their appearance
in the beginning of October, circulate first round our shores,
and when compelled by severe frost, betake themselves to
our lakes and rivers." In winter, the Bernacles and Brent
Geese appear in vast flocks on the north-west coast of
Britain, and leave us in Eebruary, when they migrate as far
as Lapland, Greenland, or Spitzbergen.

The Solan Geese or Gannets are birds of passage; their
first appearance is in March, and they continue till August
or September. The long-legged Plover and Sanderling visit
us in winter; and it is worthy of remark, that most of the
species of the Scolopax and Tringa genera, as well as some
of the Plovers, which forsake us in the spring, retire to
Sweden, Poland, Russia, Norway, and Lapland, to breed,
and return to us as soon as the young are able to fly; for
the frosts, which set in early in those countries, deprive them
totally of the means of subsistence.

Besides these, there is a great variety of birds which per-
form partial migrations, or flittings, from one part of the
country to another. During hard winters, when the sur-
face of the earth is covered with snow, many birds, such as
Larks, Snipes, &c., withdraw from the inland parts of the
country towards the sea-shores in quest of food; others, as
the Wren, the Redbreast, and a variety of small birds, quit
the fields, and approach the habitations of men. The Chat-
terer, the Grosbeak, and the Crossbill, are only occasional
visitors, and observe no regular times in making their ap-
pearance. Great numbers of the Chatterer were taken in
the county of Northumberland, in the latter end of the years
1789 and 1790, before which they had seldom been observed
so far south as that county, but since that time, however,
several have visited the north of England.
VOL. i. d

XXvi. INTRODUCTION.

The term of life varies greatly in birds, and does not seem
to bear the same proportion to the time of acquiring their
growth, as has been remarked with regard to quadrupeds.
Most birds acquire their full dimensions in a few months,
and are capable of propagation the first summer after they
are hatched. In proportion to the size of their bodies, birds
possess more vitality, and live longer, than either man or
quadrupeds: notwithstanding the difficulties which arise in
ascertaining the ages of birds, there are instances of great
longevity in many of them. Geese and Swans have been
kno\vn to attain to the age of seventy and upwards ; Ravens
are very long-lived birds, they are said sometimes to exceed
a century ; Eagles are supposed to arrive at a great age ;
Pigeons are known to live more than twenty years; and
^ven Linnets and other small birds have been kept in cages
from fifteen to twenty years.

To the practical ornithologist there arises a considerable
gratification in being able to ascertain the distinguishing
characters of birds as they appear at a distance, whether at
rest, or during their flight; for not only every genus has
something peculiar to itself, but each species has its own
appropriate marks, by which a judicious observer may dis-
criminate almost with certainty. Of these, the various
modes of flight (whether seen by day-light, or heard in their
passing at night) afford the most certain and obvious means
of distinction, and should be noted with the most careful
attention. From the bold and lofty flight of the Eagle, to
the short and sudden flittings of the Sparrow or the Wren,
there is an ample field for the curious investigator of Nature,
on which he may dwell with inexpressible delight, tracing
the various movements of the feathered nations which every
where present themselves to his view. The notes, or, as it
may with more propriety be called, the language, of birds,
whereby they are enabled to express, in no inconsiderable
degree, their various passions, wants, and feelings, must
be particularly noticed. By the great power of their

INTRODUCTION. XXviL

voice,* they can communicate their sentiments and intentions
to each other, and are enabled to act by mutual concert :
that of the wing, by which they can remove from place to
place with inconceivable celerity and dispatch, is peculiar
to the feathered tribes; it gives them a decided superiority
over every species of quadrupeds, and affords them the
greatest means of security from those attacks to which their
weakness would otherwise expose them. The social in-
stinct among birds is peculiarly lively and interesting, and
likewise proves an effectual means of preservation from the
various arts which are made use of to circumvent and
destroy them. Individuals may perish, and the species may
suffer a diminution of its numbers; but its instincts, habits,
and ceconomy remain entire.

* White's Selborne.

AX

EXPLANATION

^crms use& in fljis l

TO WHICH ARE SUBJOINED,

SOME OF THOSE USED BY LIXX.EUS AND OTHER ORNITHOLO-

GISTS, DESCRIPTIVE OF THE PARTICULAR PARTS

PECULIAR TO SOME SPECIES.

c

I)

c;

A — AURIC ULARS, — feathers which cover the ears.

BB — The BASTARD WING, [alula spuria, Linn.] three or
five quill-like feathers, placed at a small joint rising at the
middle part of the wing.

CC — The LESSER COVERTS of the WINGS, \tectrices primce,
Linn.] small feathers that lie in several rows on the bones
of the wings. The UNDER COVERTS are those that line the
inside of the wings.

XXX. TECHNICAL TERMS.

DD — The GREATER COVERTS, \tectrices secundcc, Linn.]
the feathers that lie immediately over the quill feathers and
the secondaries.

GG — The PRIMARIES, or PRIMARY QUILLS, [primores
Linn.] the largest feathers of the wings : they rise from the
first bone.

KE— The SECONDARIES, or SECONDARY QUILLS, \_secon-
darice, Linn.] those that rise from the second bone.

HH- — The TERTIALS. These also take their rise from the
second bone, at the elbow joint, forming a continuation of
the secondaries, and seem to do the same with the scapulars,
which lie over them. These feathers are so long in some of
the Scolopax and Tringa genera, that when the bird is fly-
ing they give it the appearance of having four wings.

SS — The SCAPULARS, or SCAPULAR FEATHERS, take their
rise from the shoulders, and cover the sides of the back.

P — COVERTS of the TAIL, \uropygivm. Linn.] These
feathers cover it on the upper side, at the base.

V — The VENT FEATHERS, [crissum, Linn.] those that lie
from the vent, or anus, to the tail underneath.

IRIS, (plural IRIDES) the part which surrounds the pupil of
the eye.

MANDIBLES, — the upper and under parts of the bill.
COMPRESSED, — flatted at the sides vertically.
DEPRESSED, — flatted horizontally.
CUNEATED, — wedge-shaped.

TECHNICAL TERMS. XXxi,

Head of the M^erlin Hawk.
2

i — The CERE, [cere, Linn.] the naked skin which covers
the base of the bill, as in the Hawk kind.

2 — The ORBITS, \prbita, Linn.] the skin which surrounds
the eye. It is generally bare, but particularly in the Parrot
and the Heron.

Head of the Great Ash-coloured Shrike.

f

i — When the bill is notched near the tip, as in Shrikes,
Thrushes, &c., it is called by Linnaeus, rostrum emargina-
tum.

2 — Vibrissic, (Linn.) are hairs that stand forward like
feelers: in some birds they are slender, as in Flycatchers,
&c., and point both upwards and downwards, from both the
upper and under sides of the mouth.

3 — Cap is tr urn — a word used by Linnaeus to express the
short feathers on the forehead, just above the bill. In some
birds these feathers fall forward over the nostrils: they quite
cover those of the Crow.

Rostrum cultratum, (Linn.) when the edges of the bill are
very sharp, as in that of the Crow.

XXX11.

TECHNICAL TERMS.

Head of the Night -jar.

1

i — nbrissic pectinatn\ (Linn.) These hairs in this bird
are very stiff, and spread out on each side like a comb, from
the upper sides of the mouth only.

Foot of the Xight-jar.

Showing the middle toe claw SERRATED like a saw. PEC-
TINATED signifies toothed like a comb.

Head of the Great-crested Grebe.

2 — The LORE, [Lorum, Linn.] the space between the bill
and the eye, which in this genus is bare, but in other birds
is generally covered with feathers.

TECHNICAL TERMS.

XXX111.

Foot of the King-fshfr.

Shewing the peculiar structure, in the toes being joined
together from their origin to the end joints.

Foot of the Grey Phalarope*

FIN-FOOTED and SCALLOPED, \J>innatus, Linn.] as are also
those of the Coots.

Foot of the Red-necked Grebe.

Toes furnished on their sides with broad plain mem-
branes. \Pes lobatus, Linn.]
VOL i. e

XXXI V.

TECHNICAL TERMS,

Foot of the Cormorant.

Shewing all the four toes connected by webs.

SEMI-PALMATEU, (semi-palmatus, Linn.] when the middle
of the webs reach only about half the length of the toes.

CILIATED, [lingua cilia ta, Linn.] when the tongue is
edged with fine bristles, as in Ducks.

< NOSTRILS LINEAR,- — when they are extended lengthwise in
a line with the bill, as in Divers, &c.

NOSTRILS PERVIOUS, — when they are open, and may be
seen through from side to side, as in Gulls, &c.

A Method of dating dead Game. Recommended in Sir
Thomas Frankland's " Cautions to Young Sportsmen"
ed. 2, page 8.

" The following is a simple method of dating the day on
which birds were killed. Let the six fore toes represent the
six shooting days of the week. The left toe of the left foot
answering for Monday, count from thence to the right toe
of the right foot, which is to pass for Saturday. Let any
portion of that toe which corresponds to the day on which
the bird was killed, be cut off. If a part of one or more
toes has been shot off, cut that which is to register the day
still shorter. I am aware that a whole foot may be carried
away; but in general the practice will answer. Perhaps in
a well-regulated larder, what I propose may be idle; but
it is paricularly useful in the case of game sent weekly
from distant manors."

75,
'£

^

Left Foot. Right Foot.

X.B. This bird is supposed to have been killed on a
Wednesday.

CONTENTS OF THE FIRST IVOLUME.

PAGE. !

PAGE.

Birds of Prey

i

Kite -

36

Alpine Vulture -

3

Buzzard -

38

Rough-legged Buz-

Of the Falcon -

6

zard

40

Greenland Falcon

8

Honey Buzzard -

42

Lanner

10

Moor Buzzard -

44

Peregrine Falcon

n

Hen Harrier

46

Hobby -

*3

Female Hen Harrier

48

Merlin

15

Montagu's Harrier

49

Female Merlin -

17

Kestrel

18

Of the Owl

- 5i

Female Kestrel

20

Snowy Owl

53

Golden Eagle -

2 I

Tawny Owl

- 55

Golden Eagle, imma-

Yellow Owl

- 57

ture

23

Tengmalm's Owl

- 59

White-tailed Eagle

25

Short-eared Owl

- 61

White-tailed Eagle,

Female Short-eared

immature

27

Owl

- 63

Osprey

29

Eagle Owl

- 64

Qoshawk -

31

Long-eared Owl

- 66

Sparrow-hawk -

34

Scops- eared Owl

- 68

CONTENTS.

XXX Vll.

Omnivorous Birds

Raven

Crow

Hooded Crow -

Rook

Jack-Daw -

Magpie
Jay

Nutcracker
Chough

Chatterer -
Roller

Golden Oriole

Starling
Young Starling

PAGE.

- 70

- 72
74

- 76

- 78

- 81

- 83

- 85

. 88

- 89

- 91

- 93

- 101

Rose-coloured Starling 102

Insectivorous Birds - 104
Of the Shrike - - 106
Ash-coloured Shrike - 108
Wood chat - - no

Red-backed Shrike - 112
Female Red-backed
Shrike - - - 114

PAGE.

Of the Fly catchers - 116

Spotted Flycatcher - 117

Pied Flycatcher - 119

Pied Flycatcher - 121

Missel Thrush -
Fieldfare -
Throstle -
Redwing -
Ring Ouzel
Blackbird -

- 122

- 124

- 126

- 128

- 130

- I32

Water Ouzel

Of the Warblers - 137
Grasshopper Warbler 138

Sedge Warbler - - 140

Reed Warbler - - 141

Nightingale - 143

Black Cap - 146

Garden Warbler - 148

White-throat - - 150

Lesser \Vhite-throat - 152

Dartford Warbler - 154

Redbreast - - 155

Blue-throated Robin - 159

Redstart - - 161

Yellow Wren - - 163

Willow Wren - - 165

Chiff Chaff - - 166

Least Willow Wren - 167

XXXV111.

CONTEXTS.

PAGE. i

PAGE.

Golden-crested Wren -

169
171

Bearded Titmouse
Of the Bunting

213
215

Wren

.

Yellow Bunting

216

Wheatear -

173

Bunting

218

Whinchat -

175

Black-headed Bunting

220

Stonechat -

177

Ortolan Bunting
Cirl Bunting
Snow Bunting -

222

224
226

Hedge Warbler -

Of the Wagtail.
Pied Wagtail -
Grey Wagtail -

181
182
184

Snow Bunting, winter
plumage

229
23I

Parrot Crossbill

Yellow Wagtail -

185

Crossbill -

233

Richard's Pipit -

1 86

Pine Grosbeak -

236

Rock Lark

187

Bullfinch -

238

Titlark
Tree Lark-

189
191

Of the Finch
Grosbeak -
Green Grosbeak

240
24I
243

Granivorous Birds

Of the Lark -
Lark-

194

Sparrow -
Mountain Sparrow

248

Woodlark -

198

Chaffinch -
Mountain Finch

249
251

Of the Titmouse.

200

Linnet

253

Titmouse -

202

Linnet, winter plumage

255

Coal Titmouse -

204

Mountain Linnet

257

Blue Titmouse -

205

Lesser Redpole -

259

Crested Titmouse

207

Siskin

26l

Marsh Titmouse

209

Canary Finch -

263

Long-tailed Titmouse-

2IO

Goldfinch

265

CONTENTS.

XXXIX.

PAGE. PAGE

Cuckoo

- 267

Turtle Dove

321

Of the Woodpecker

- 272

Of the Gallinaceous

Black Woodpecker

- 274

kind -

323

Green Woodpecker

- 276

Cock

325

Pied Woodpecker

- 278

Barred Woodpecker

- 280

Turkey -

330

Wryneck -

- 282

Peacock -

'J7J

555

Nuthatch -

- 285

Pintado -

*y i *7

337

Creeper

- 287

Pheasant -

'J *) (\

339

Hoopoe

- 289

Of the Grouse -

343

Wood Grouse -

-

Bee-eater -

- 291

Black Grouse -

347

King-fisher

- 293

Red Grouse

350

White Grouse -

352

Of the Swallow

- 297

Swallow -

- 299

Red-legged Partridge

354

Martin

- 305

Partridge -

357

Sand Martin

- 307

Quail

360

Swift

- 308

Pratincole

363

Night-jar -

- 3"

Of the Bustard

366

Great Bustard -

367

Of the Dove

- 3J4

Little Bustard

37i

Ring Dove

- 316

Rock Dove

/Cream-coloured Plover 373

BRITISH BIRDS.

SYNOPSIS.

The naturalised and domesticated species are distinguished by an
asterisk (*).

CLASS AVES.
ORDER I.— RAPACES.

BILL short, strong, compressed, covered at the
base with a cere, hooked towards the end: nos-
trils open : feet strong", muscular, short, or of
moderate length; feathered to the heel or the
toes: toes three before and one behind; articu-
lated on the same plane, entirely divided, or
united at the base by a membrane; rough be-
neath; armed with strong hooked claws.

Gen. /.— VULTUR.— Bill thick, strong, and deep, base
covered with a cere; upper mandible straight, curved to-
wards the point; under mandible rounded, straight, and
becoming narrower towards the point: head naked, or
covered with short down: nostrils naked, lateral, placed
near the edge of the cere: feet strong, claws slightly
hooked; middle toe long, united at the base to the outer
toe: wings long; fourth quill feather the longest, the first
short, not equal to the sixth.
V. fulvus, Linn.

Gen. 2. — CATHARTES. — Bill long, slender, straight,
hooked at the end ; cere naked, extending to half the length
of the bill ; upper mandible swelled towards the tip : head
oblong, naked as well as the upper part of the neck:

VOL i. a

11. SYNOPSIS.

nostrils near the middle of the bill, longitudinal, lateral,
pervious, placed near the ridge, sometimes surmounted by
fleshy appendages: feet naked, slender, middle toe long,
united at the base to the outer one : wings slightly acumi-
nated; the first quill short, the third longest.

C. Percnopterus, Temm. v. i, p. 3

Gen. j. — FALCO. — Head covered with feathers: bill
hooked, generally curved from its base, cere more or less
hairy; upper mandible furnished with one or two teeth;
lower mandible slightly rounded and emarginated: nostrils
round or oval, placed in the cere: feet covered with scales,
or feathered to the toes ; the outer toe generally united at its
base to the middle one; claws much hooked.

Division i. — Bill short, curved from its base; upper man-
dible strongly toothed; lower one emarginated: legs robust,
toes long and strong; claws much hooked and sharp ; tarsi
short: first and third quills of equal length, second longest.
F. Grcenlandicus, Linn., Hancock. \. i, p. 8

F. Islandicus, Lath., Hanc.

F. Lanarius, Linn. - v. i, p. 10

F. peregrinus, Gmel. - v. i , p. 1 1

F. Subbuteo, Linn. v. i, p. 13

F. ^Esalon, Gmel. - \. i, p. 15-17

F. Tinnunculus, Linn. - v. i, p. 18-20

F. rufipes, Bechstein.

Division 2. — Bill strong, rather long, not bent from the
base: tarsi naked or covered with feathers; feet and toes
robust; claws strong and much curved: fourth and fifth
quills longest.

F. fulvus, Linn. v. i, p. 21-23

F. naevius, Linn.

F. Albicilla, Linn. - - v. i, p. 25-27

F. Haliaetus, Linn. - v. i, p. 29

Division j. — Wings short, reaching to nearly half the
length of the tail; fourth quill longest: bill short, bending
from the base: tarsi and toes long; middle toe longest.

SYNOPSIS. iii.

F. palumbarius, Linn. - - v. i, p. 31

F. Nisus, Linn. v. i. p. 34

Division 4. — Nostrils oblique, oval: tarsi short, feathered
a little below the heel: bill rather slender, bending slightly
from the base: wings very long; first quill shorter than the
sixth, second a little shorter than the fifth, the third almost
equal in length to the fourth.

F. Milvus, Linn. v. i, p. 36

Division J. — Bill much curved from its base, the point very
much bent: wings long; second quill longest : tail forked.
F. furcatus, Linn.

Division 6. — Bill bending from the base ; nostrils oval :
tarsi short, partly naked, or clothed with feathers : wings
long ; first quill short, the second and third shorter than the
fourth, which is longest.

F. Buteo, Linn. v. i. p. 38

F. Lagopus, Linn. v. i. p. 40

F. apivorus, Linn. v. i. p. 42

Division J. — Tarsi long and slender, naked: wings long;
the first quill very short, not so long as the fifth, the third
or fourth longest : face surrounded with a ruff of small
feathers.

F. rufus, Linn. v. i. p. 44

F. cyaneus, Mont. - v. i. p. 46-48

F. cineraceus, Mont. - v. i, p. 49

Gen. 4.— STRIX. — -Bill compressed at the point, bending
from the base : nostrils lateral, pierced in the cere, oval or
rounded ; covered wholly or in part with hairs directed for-
wards: eyes very large, surrounded with radiating feathers :
feet thickly covered with feathers often to the claws ; three
toes before and one behind, entirely divided; outer toe re-
versible : the external edges of the outer quills generally
fringed; first quill shortest, the second not quite so long as
the third, which is generally longest.

Division i. — Without tufts on the head.

iv. SYNOPSIS.

* Diurnal.

S. nyctea, Linn. v. i. p. 53

S. funerea, Lath.

* * Nocturnal.

S. Aluco, Meyer. v. i, p. 55

S. flammea, Linn. v. i. p. 57
S. passerina, Temm.

S. Tengmalmi, Gmel. v. i. p. 59

Division 2. — With tufts on the head.

S. Brachyotos, Gmel. - v. i, p. 61-63

S. Bubo, Linn. v. i. p. 64

S. Otus, Linn. v. i, p. 66

S. Scops, Linn. v. i. p. 68

ORDER II.— OMNIVORES.

BILL moderate, strong, edges sharp or cultrated;
upper mandible slightly bending towards the
tip : three toes before and one behind : wings
moderate; quill feathers terminating in a point.

Gen. s- — CORVUS. — Bill curved towards the point,
strong, compressed, edges sharp and cutting ; under man-
dible nearly straight : nostrils oval, basal, and covered by stiff
feathers directed forwards : wings acuminated; fourth quill
longest, first shorter than the second and third : toes entirely
divided; tarsus longer than the middle toe.

C. Corax, Linn. v.

C. Corone, Linn. v.

C. Comix, Linn. v.

C. frugilegus, Linn v.

C. Monedula, Linn. - - v.

p. 72

P- 74
p. 76
p. 78
p. 81

Gen. 6.— GARRULUS.— Bill short, compressed, strong,
covered at the base with stiff feathers inclined forwards;
both mandibles bent towards the tip; the upper one slightly
emarginated : crown feathers generally long, and capable of

SYNOPSIS. V.

erection : wings rounded ; fifth and sixth quills longest : tail
cuneated and slightly rounded.

Division i. — Tail long, cuneated.

G. Picus, Temm. v. i, p. 83

Division 2. — Tail slightly rounded.

G. glandarius, Flem. v. i, p. 85

Gen. 7.— NUCIFRAGA.— Bill straight ; upper mandible
rounded, longer than the lower one; both depressed at the
point, and slightly obtuse: nostrils round, basal, and cover-
ed by short feathers standing forwards: wings acuminated,
rather long; first quill shorter than the second and third,
fourth longest: tail rounded.

N. Caryocatactes, Briss. v. i. p. 88

Gen. 8.— PYRRHOCORAX.— Bill rather slender, arched
from the base, and pointed, slightly compressed : nostrils
basal, oval, covered with small reflected feathers: feet strong,
three toes before, one behind ; tarsus longer than the middle
toe; the outer toe united by a membrane to the middle one;
claws strong, much curved: fourth and fifth quills longest:
tail square.

P. Graculus, Temm. - v. i, p. 89

Gen. 9.— BOMBYCILLA.— Bill short, straight; upper
mandible slightly arched, with a tooth near its extremity :
nostrils basal, oval, open, concealed by small feathers
directed forwards: the outer toe joined to the middle one:
first and second quills longest.

B. garrula, Temm. v. i, p. 91

Gen. 10. — CORACIAS. — Bill moderate, compressed, cul-
trated; upper mandible curved towards the point: nostrils
basal, lateral, linear, half closed by a membrane covered
with feathers : tarsus shorter than the middle toe; toes en-
tirely divided : first quill a little shorter than the second,
which is longest.

C. garrula, Linn. - - - v. i, p. 93

VI. SYNOPSIS.

Gen. ii. — ORIOLUS. — Bill subconic, slightly depressed
at the base; upper mandible carinated above, and slightly
notched near the point: nostrils small, basal, lateral, situate
in a large membrane: tarsus about the same length as the
middle toe, which is joined at its base to the outer one :
third quill feather longest.

O. Galbula, Linn. v. i, p. 96

Gen. 12.— STURNUS.— Bill almost straight, depressed
especially at the tip, rather blunt; base of the upper man-
dible advancing on the forehead, the edges projecting a little
over the under mandible : nostrils basal, half closed by an
arched membrane : the outer toe united to the base of the
middle one as far as the first joint : second quill longest, first
very short.

S. vulgaris, Linn. - - v. i, p. 98-101

Gen. 13.— PASTOR. — Bill subconic, compressed, slightly
curved, with a small notch near the point : nostrils oval,
lateral, half closed by a membrane clothed with small
feathers : feet strong, middle toe much shorter than the
tarsus: the outer toe joined at its base to the middle one:
first quill very short, second and third longest.

P. roseus, Temm. - v. i, p. 102

ORDER III.— INSECTIVORES.

BILL moderate, straight, rounded, edges somewhat
sharp ; upper mandible bent, generally furnished
at the base with bristly hairs standing forwards :
three toes before and one behind, placed on the
same plane; outer toe connected to the middle
one as far as the first joint.

Gen. 14. — LANIUS. — Bill robust, straight at the base,
compressed; upper mandible hooked at the point, and

SYNOPSIS. vii.

strongly notched; furnished at the base with strong bristles
directed forwards: nostrils basal, lateral, nearly round,
partly closed by a membrane: tarsus longer than the middle
toe; three toes before and one behind, outer toe connected
to the middle one as far as the first joint: first quill feather
short, third and fourth longest.

L. Excubitor, Linn. v. i, p. 108

L. rufus, Briss. \. i, p. no

L. Collurio, Linn. -v. i, p. 112-114

Gen. 75. — MUSCICAPA. — Bill angular, depressed at the

base, compressed towards the point, which is deflected;

upper mandible furnished with stiff bristles: nostrils basal,

lateral, oval, partly concealed by hairs: tarsus as long or

longer than the middle toe; side toes generally of equal

length, outer toe connected as far as the first joint of the

middle one : first quill very short, third and fourth longest.

M. grisola, Linn. . v. i, p. 117

M. luctuosa, Temm. - v. i, p. 119-121

Gen. 16. — TURDUS. — Bill convex above, point com-
pressed; upper mandible emarginated, slightly curved;
gape furnished with a few hairs: nostrils basal, lateral, oval,
half closed by a naked membrane: first quill very short, in
some species the third is longest, in others the fourth : tarsus
longer than the middle toe; the outer toe connected at the
base to the middle one.
T. Whitei, Eyton.

T. viscivorus, Linn. - v. i, p. 122

T. pilaris, Linn. v. i, p. 124

T. musicus, Linn. v. i, p. 126

T. iliacus, Linn. v. i, p. 128

T. torquatus, Linn. - v. i, p. 130

T. Merula, Linn. v. i, p. 132

T. chrysorhaeus, Temm.
T. saxatilis, Lath.
T. cyaneus, Gmel.

Vlll. SYNOPSIS.

Gen. 77. — CINCLUS. — Bill straight, compressed, round-
ed near the end; point of the upper mandible slightly
curved downwards upon the lower one: nostrils basal,
lateral, placed in a depression, longitudinally cleft, partly
covered by a membrane: head small and narrow: three
toes before and one behind: tarsus longer than the middle
toe; the lateral toes equal in length: first quill feather very
short, third and fourth longest.

C. aquaticus, Bechst. - v. i, p. 134

Gen. 18. — SYLVIA. — Bill slender, pointed, broader than
high at the base; tip of the upper mandible slightly emargi-
nated, and bending a little over the lower one, which is
straight: nostrils basal, lateral, oval, partly concealed by a
membrane : tarsus longer than the middle toe; outer toe joined
at the base to the middle one; hind claw bent and shorter
than the toe : first quill very short, sometimes almost abortive,
second shorter than the third, third and fourth longest,

* Top of the head depressed: wings short, rounded: tail
long, often cuneiform.

S. Locustella, Lath. - v. i, p. 138

S. Phragmitis, Bechst. - v. i, p. 140

S. arundinacea, Lath.t - v. i, p. 141

S. luscinoides, Sam'.

* Tail long and equal: bill straight, compressed at the point.

S. Luscinia, Lath. v. i, p. 143

S. Atricapilla, Lath. v. i, p. 146

S. hortensis, Bechst. - v. i, p. 148

S. cinerea, Lath, v. i, p. 150

S. Curruca, Lath. v. i, p. 152

S. provincialis, Temm.- v. i, p. 154

S. Rubecula, Lath. v. i, p. 155

S. Suecica, Lath. v. i, p. 159
S. Tithys, Scopoli.

S. Phoeiicurus, Lath. - v. i, p. 161

* * * Wings reaching to the middle of the tail, which is
slightly forked.

S. sibilatrix, Bechst. - - - v. i, p. 163

SYNOPSIS. ix.

S. Trochilus, Lath. - v. i, p. 165

S. rufa, Z#M. - v. i, p. 1 66

Gen. 19.— REGULUS.— Bill slender, straight, subulate,
compressed towards the point, the edges dilated at the base :
nostrils oval, concealed by feathers directed forwards : feet
slender; middle toe united at the base to the outer one;
hind toe strongest : first quill very short, fourth and fifth
longest.

R. cristatus, Temm. - v. i, p. 169

R. ignicapillus, Jenyns.

R. modestus, Gould.

Gen. 20.— TROGLODYTES.— Bill very slender, slightly
curved : tail and wings short ; tail mostly carried erect :
plumage always of grave colours.

T. vulgaris, Temm. - v. i, p. 171

Gen. 21. — SAXICOLA.— Bill straight, slender, carinated
above, dilated at the base, advancing on the forehead; up-
per mandible emarginated, slightly bending at the point,
furnished with stiff bristles at the base : nostrils basal, lateral,
oval, half covered by a membrane : tarsi generally long ;
outer toe joined at the base to the middle one ; hind claw
shorter than the toe, and niuch curved : first quill not half
the length of the second, third and fourth longest : coverts
and scapulars short.

S. CEnanthe, Bechst. - v. i, p. 173

S. Rubetra, Bechst. - v. i, p. 175

S. Rubicola, Bechst. - v. i, p. 177

Gen. 22.— ACCENTOR. — Bill rather strong, broader
than high at the base, sides of the mandibles compressed ;
the upper one emarginated and notched towards the point:
nostrils basal, naked, pierced in a large membrane : feet
robust, three toes in front and one behind ; the outer toe
joined to the middle one at its base; hind claw longest and
most hooked : first quill very short, second and third longest.

VOL. i. b

X. SYNOPSIS.

A. alpinus, Bechst.

A. modularis, Cuvier. - v. i, p. 179

Gen. 23.— MOTACILLA.— Bill straight, slender, subu-
late, angulated between the nostrils, notched at the tip ;
lower mandible compressed at the sides : nostrils basal,
lateral, oval, partly concealed by a naked membrane : tarsus
twice the length of the middle toe; outer toe joined at the
base to the middle one; claw of the hind toe long; front
claws very small: tail very long, nearly even at the end:
first quill very short, second longest : tertiaries as long as
the quills.

M. Yarrellii, Gould. - v. i, p. 182

M. alba, Linn.

M. Bqarula, Linn. v. i, p. 184

M. flava, Ray.- v. i, p. 185

M. neglecta, Gould.

Gen. 24.— ANTHUS.— Bill straight, slender, cylindrical,
towards the point subulate, and compressed at the middle;
upper mandible carinated at the base, bending downwards
at the tip and slightly emarginated: nostrils basal, lateral,
partly concealed by an arched membrane: outer toe joined
to the middle one as far as the first joint; hind claw long
and much bent, generally exceeding the toe in length : first
quill very short, second a little shorter than the third and
fourth, which are longest; tertials as long as the quills.

A. Richardi, Vieillot. - v. i, p. 186

A. aquaticus, Bechsf. - v. i, p. 187

A. pratensis, Bechst. - v. i, p. 189

A. arboreus, Bechsl. - - - v. i, p. 191

SYNOPSIS. xi.

ORDER IV.— GRANIVORES.

BILL strong, short, thick, more or less conic, entire,
or slightly emarginated : three toes before and
one behind; the anterior toes divided: wings
moderate.

Gen. 25. — ALAUDA. — Bill straight, subconic, slightly
curved to the tip, which is sharp-pointed : nostrils basal,
oval, covered with feathers and bristles : tail somewhat
forked: toes divided to their origin; claw of the hind toe
very long, almost straight; front claws short, and slightly
curved : first quill very short, second a little shorter than the
third, which is longest.

A. alpestris, Linn.

A. arvensis, Linn. - v. i, p. 195

A. arborea, Linn. - v. i, p. 198

A. cristata, Linn.

A. brachydactyla, Temm.

Gen. 26. — PARUS. — Bill short, strong, straight, conical,
slightly compressed, sharp-pointed : nostrils basal, round,
covered by short bristly feathers directed forwards: tarsi
strong; the anterior toes entirely divided; hind claw strong-
est and most bent : first quill of moderate length, second
shorter than the third, fourth or fifth longest.

* First quill feather of moderate length.
P. major, Linn. - v. i, p. 202

P. ater, Linn. v. i, p. 204

P. caeruleus, Linn. - v. i, p. 205

P. cristatus, Linn. v. i, p. 207

P. palustris, Linn. v. i, p. 209

P. caudatus, Linn. - v. i, p. 210

** First quill very short.
P. biarmicus, Linn. - - - v. i, p. 213

Xll. SYNOPSIS.

Gen. 2j. — EMBERIZA. — Bill short, strong, conical, com-
pressed, sharp-pointed; edges of both mandibles bending
inwards; upper mandible narrower than the under, and fur-
nished with a hard knob on the palate: nostrils basal, round,
partly covered by small feathers : first quill shorter than the
second and third, which are longest: tail forked or slightly
rounded.

* Claw of the hind toe short and bent.

E. Citrinella, Linn.
E. Miliaria, Linn.
E. Schoeniclus, Linn.
E. Hortulana, Linn.
E. Cirlus, Linn.

p. 216

p. 218

p. 220
p. 222
p. 224

* Hind claw long, slightly bent.

E. nivalis, Linn. - v. i, p. 226-229

E. calcarata, Temm.

Gen. 28. — LOXIA. — Bill strong, compressed; both man-
dibles equally convex, hooked at the tips, and crossing
each other: nostrils basal, lateral, round, covered by bristly
feathers directed forwards: first quill longest: tail short,
forked: tarsi short; anterior toes divided to the base, hind
toe longer than the tarsus; claws sharp and bent.

L. Pytiopsittacus, Bechst. - - v. i, p. 231

L. curvirostra, Linn. - v. i. p. 233

L. leucoptera, Gmel.

Gen. 29.— PYRRHULA.— Bill short, convex, conical,
thick, swelled at the sides, and compressed at the tip; upper
mandible convex above, advancing on the forehead at the
base, bent at the tip, and overhanging the lower one: nostrils
basal, lateral, round, generally concealed by hairy feathers
directed forwards: tarsus shorter than the middle toe: an-
terior toes entirely divided: wings short; third and fourth
quills equal in length, and longest.

P. Enucleator, Tern in. v. i, p. 236

P. vulgaris, Briss. - v. i, p. 238

SYNOPSIS. Xlll.

Gen. jo. — FRINGILLA.— Bill short, strong, thick at the
base, conic, sometimes advancing on the forehead : nostrils
basal, round, placed near the forehead, partly hid by bristly
feathers directed forwards: tarsus shorter than the middle
toe; anterior toes entirely divided: wings short; third or
fourth quill longest: tail more or less forked.

* Bill very thick; sides convex.

F. Coccothraustes, Temm. v. i, p. 241

F. Chloris, Temm. v. i, p. 243

F. domestica, Linn. - v. i, p. 245

F. montana, I Ann. - v. i, p. 248

* * Bill short, straight, cylindrical, often conic throughout.
F. Ccelebs, Linn. v. i, p. 249
F. Montifringilla, Linn. v. i, p. 251
F. cannabina, Linn. - - v. i, p. 253-255
F. Montium, Gmel. v. i, p. 257
F. Linaria, Linn. v. i, p. 259
F. borealis, Temm.

*** Bill conic, straight, long, compressed; tip of both
mandibles sharp.

F. Spinus, Linn. v. i, p. 261

* F. Canada, Linn. v. i, p. 263

F. Carduelis, Linn. - v. i, p. 265

ORDER V.— ZYGODACTYLI.

BILL various, more or less arched, often straight
and angular: two toes before and two behind;
the outer hind toe often reversible.

QeHm j/._ CUCULUS.— Bill as long as the head, com-
pressed, somewhat curved, and slightly hooked at the tip;
gape wide: nostrils basal, surrounded by a naked and pro-
minent membrane: tarsi short, feathered a little below the

XIV. SYNOPSIS.

heel; the outer hind toe reversible: tail long, cuneated;
third quill longest.

C. canorus, Linn. v. i, p. 267

C. cinerosus, Buff.

C. glandarius, Linn.

Gen. 32. — PICUS. — Bill straight, angular, robust, com-
pressed, cuneated at the tip: nostrils basal, oval, concealed
by bristly feathers: tongue very long and extensile, tip
barbed : two toes before and two behind ; rarely with only a
single hind toe ; the two anterior toes connected at the base,
the two posterior toes entirely divided: tail feathers stiff,
pointed at the extremity: Wings moderate, first quill very
short, third or fourth longest.

P. martius, Linn. v. i, p. 274

P. viridis, Linn. v. i, p. 276

P. major, Linn. v. i, p. 278

P. minor, Linn. v. i, p. 280

Gen. 33. — YUNX. — Bill short, straight, somewhat coni-
cal, depressed : nostrils basal, partly closed by a membrane :
tongue long and extensile: feet with two toes before and
two behind; the anterior pair joined at their base; the
posterior ones entirely divided : wings moderate ; first quill a
little shorter than the second, which is longest: tail feathers
soft and flexible.

Y. Torquilla, Linn. - - - v. i, p. 282

ORDER VI.— ANISODACTYLI.

BILL slender, sometimes strong, more or less bent,
often straight, subulate: three toes before and
one behind; the outer toe joined at its base to
the middle one, hind toe generally long; claws
rather long and bent.

SYNOPSIS. XV.

Gen. 34. — S1TTA. — Bill straight, conic, rather strong,
depressed at the base, tip sharp: nostrils basal, rounded,
covered by hairs and small feathers: three toes before and
one behind; the outer toe joined at its base to the middle
one, hind toe very long, with the claw large and much bent:
tail short, nearly even : first quill very short, second shorter
than the third and fourth, which are longest.

S. Europaea, Linn. - v. i, p. 285

. 35. — CERTHIA. — Bill more or less bent, angulated,
compressed, slender, sharp-pointed: nostrils basal, lateral,
half closed by an arched membrane: three toes before and
one behind; the outer toe joined at its base to the middle
one, hind toe strong, and longer than the others : tail fea-
thers stiff, pointed, and bent downwards: first quill very
short, fourth longest.

C. familiaris, Linn. - v. i, p, 287

Gen. 36. — UPUPA. — Bill very long, slightly curved, slen-
der, triangular, compressed, convex above, sharp-pointed:
nostrils basal, lateral, oval: crown furnished with a crest:
three toes before and one behind; the outer toe united to
the middle one as far as the first joint; claws short, not
much hooked; hind one almost straight: tail square, com-
posed of ten feathers: wings large; first quill very short,
second and third shorter than the fourth and fifth, which are
longest.

U. Epops, Linn. - . v. i,p. 289

ORDER VII.— ALCYONES.

BILL moderate or long, pointed, almost quad-
rangular, slightly bent or straight: tarsi very
short; three toes before and one behind, the
anterior ones united.

XVI. SYNOPSIS.

Gen. j;.— MEROPS.— Bill longer than the head, slightly
curved, triangular at the base, carinated above, sharp-
pointed, culmen elevated: nostrils basal, lateral, oval, partly
covered by hairs directed forwards: tarsi short; toes three
before and one behind; the outer toe joined to the middle
one as far as the second joint, the middle to the inner one as
far as the first; hind claw small: wings long and pointed;
first quill very short, second longest.

M, Apiaster, Linn. - v. i, p. 291

Gen. 38. — ALCEDO. — Bill long, straight, rarely depress-
ed, quadrangular, pointed, edges sharp and cutting: nostrils
basal, lateral, pierced obliquely, linear, almost closed by a
naked membrane: tarsi short; three toes before and one
behind; the outer toe joined to the middle one as far as the
second joint, the middle toe to the inner one as far as the
first; hind toe thick at its base: third quill longest.

A. Ispida, Linn. v. i, p. 293

ORDER VIII.— CHELIDONES.

BILL short, much depressed, wide at its base; up-
per mandible bent at the point : feet short ; three
toes before, entirely divided or united at the base
by a short membrane; hind toe in some rever-
sible; claws much hooked: wings long.

Gen. 39. — HIRUNDO. — Bill short, triangular, much de-
pressed; upper mandible carinated, bent at the tip; gape
extending nearly to the eyes: nostrils basal, oblong, partly
covered by a membrane : feet short, toes and claws slender ;
three toes before, and one behind; outer toe united to the
middle one as far as the first joint: tail forked, composed of
twelve feathers : wings very long, first quill longest.

SYNOPSIS. xvii.

H. rustica, Linn. v. i, p. 299

H. urbica, Linn. v. i, p. 305

H. riparia, Linn. . v. i, p. 307
H. purpurea, WiL

Gen. 40.— CYPSELUS. — Bill very short, triangular, de-
pressed at the base ; upper mandible bent at the point ; gape
extending beyond the eyes: nostrils longitudinal, placed
near the ridge of the bill; the edges raised and furnished
with small feathers: tarsi very short; toes four, all directed
forwards, entirely divided; claws short and thick: wings
very long; first quill a little shorter than the second: tail
forked, composed of ten feathers.

C. alpinus, Temm.

C. murarius, Temm. v. i, p. 308

Gen. 47.— CAPRIMULGUS.— Bill very short, flexible,
much depressed at the base, slightly bent at the point, and
furnished at the margins with strong hairs directed forwards :
nostrils basal, large, partly closed by a membrane, and
partly covered by the feathers of the forehead: tarsi very
short; three toes before, and one behind; the anterior toes
connected by a membrane as far as the first joint; hind toe
reversible; claws short, except that of the middle toe, which
is long and pectinated on the inner edge : wings long ; first
quill shorter than the second, which is longest: tail rounded
or forked, composed of ten feathers.

C. Europaeus, Linn. - - - v. i, p. 311

ORDER IX.— COLUMB^E.

BILL moderate, compressed; base of the upper
mandible covered with skin in which the nostrils
are placed, tip more or less curved: three toes
before, entirely divided; one toe behind.

VOL I. C

XV111. SYNOPSIS.

Gen. 42. — COLUMBA. — Bill straight, compressed, con-
vex, bent at the tip; base of the upper mandible covered
with a soft skin more or less inflated, in which the nostrils
are situate: feet often red; hind toe articulated on the same
plane with the front ones: wings moderate or short; first
quill a little shorter than the second, which is longest.

C. Palumbus, Linn - - v. i, p. 316

C. CEnas, Linn.

C. Livia, Briss. v. i, p. 318

C. Turtur, Linn. v. i, p. 321

ORDER X.— GALLING.

BILL short, convex, often furnished with a cere at
the base; upper mandible arched, curved from
its base or only at the point: nostrils lateral,
covered with an arched membrane naked or fur-
nished with feathers: tarsus long; three toes
before, generally united by a membrane; hind
toe sometimes wanting; when present, articu-
lated high on the tarsus.

Gen. 43.— MELEAGRIS.— Bill short, thick, convex, fur-
nished at the base with an elongated, pendulous, fleshy
appendage : head and neck naked ; throat with a pendulous
carunculated wattle: tarsi of the male armed with spurs:
tail broad, expansile, consisting of from fourteen to eighteen
feathers.

* M. Gallopavo, Linn. - - - v. i, p. 330

Gen. 44. — PAVO. — Bill naked at the base, convex above,
deflected at the tip: cheeks partially naked; head small, and
crested: tarsi of the male furnished with spurs: tail of
eighteen feathers; upper tail coverts longer than the tail,
broad and expansile, adorned with rich ocellated spots.

* P. cristatus, Linn. - v. i, p. 333

SYNOPSIS. xix.

Gen. 45. — GALLUS. — Bill smooth at the base, thick,
curved : nostrils covered by an arched membrane : head
generally furnished with an erect fleshy crest ; throat with
fleshy wattles on each side of the lower mandible : ears
naked : tarsi with strong spurs ; anterior toes united by a
membrane as far as the first joint: tail of fourteen feathers,
compressed, more or less arched, ascending.

* G. domesticus, Briss. v. i, p. 325

Gen. 46.— PHASIANUS. — Bill short and strong, naked
at the base ; upper mandible very convex, tip deflected :
nostrils basal, lateral, covered by an arched membrane :
cheeks naked, adorned with scarlet papillae : three toes
before, united by a membrane as far as the first joint; one
toe behind: tarsus of the male furnished with a spur: wings
short; fourth and fifth quills longest: tail very long, cuneated,
composed of eighteen feathers.

* P. Colchicus, Linn. - v. i, p. 339

Gen. 47.- — -NUMIDA. — Bill strong, convex above, covered
at the base with a warty membrane, in which the nostrils are
placed : head naked ; crown with a callous horny protuber-
ance ; beneath the cheeks pendulous carunculated wattles :
tarsi without spurs : anterior toes united by a membrane as
far as the first joint: tail short, pointing downwards, of four-
teen or sixteen feathers.

* N. Meleagris, Brtss. - v. i, p. 337

Gen. 48. — TETRAO.. — Bill short, strong, convex above,
curved from the base to the tip: nostrils basal, lateral, partly
covered by an arched membrane, concealed by small closely
set feathers: eyebrows naked, adorned with scarlet papillae:
tarsi feathered to the toes, which are also frequently
feathered; three toes before, united as far as the first joint,
one toe behind; the margins of all sometimes pectinated:
wings short and rounded; first quill short, second shorter

XX. SYNOPSIS.

than the third and fourth, which are longest: tail of sixteen

or eighteen feathers.

T. Urogallus, Linn. - v. i, p. 344

T. Tetrix, Linn. v. i, p. 347

T. Scoticus, Lath. v. i, p. 350

T. Lagopus, Linn. - v. i, p. 352

Gen. 49. — PKRDIX. — Bill short, compressed, strong,
base naked, convex above, curved towards the tip: nostrils
basal, lateral, half closed by an arched naked membrane:
tarsi naked ; three toes before, and one behind ; the front
toes united as far as the first joint by a membrane: wings
short; fourth and fifth quills generally longest: tail short, of
fourteen to eighteen feathers.

* Tarsi furnished with a tubercle, or entirely smooth.

* P. rubra, Briss. v. i, p. 354

P. cinerea, Lath. v. i, p. 357

* * Tail very short, hid by the feathers of the rump: first
quill of the wing longest.

P. Coturnix, Lath. v. i, p. 360

Gen. 50.— HEMIPODIUS.— Bill moderate, straight, slen-
der, much compressed, curved towards the point : nostrils
lateral, linear, partly closed by a naked membrane: tarsi
long : three toes before, entirely divided ; no hind toe : tail
small, concealed by the upper coverts: wings moderate; first
quill longest.

H. tachvdromus, Temm.

ORDER XL— ALECTORIDES.

BILL shorter than the head, or of the same length,
strong, hard ; upper mandible curved, convex,
bent at the point: tarsi long, slender; three toes
before, one behind ; the hind toe articulated above
the plane of the front toes.

SYNOPSIS. xxi.

Gen. j/. — GLAREOLA. — Bill short, convex, compressed
towards the point; upper mandible curved for about half its
length: nostrils basal, lateral, placed obliquely: legs bare of
feathers a little above the heel; tarsi long and slender; claws
long and subulate: wings very long; first quill longest.

G. torquata, Meyer. - - v. i, p. 363

ORDER XII.— CURSORES.

BILL moderate or short: legs naked above the heel;
tarsi long; toes two or three, directed forwards.

Gen. 52. — OTIS. — Bill as long as the head, or shorter,
straight, conical, compressed, or slightly depressed at the
base; upper mandible arched towards the tip: nostrils oval,
open, placed a little from the base: legs naked above the
heel; tarsi long; toes three, directed forwards, short, united
at the base, and edged by a membrane: wings of moderate
length; third quill longest.

* Bill compressed at the base.

O. Tarda, Linn. v. i, p. 367

O. Tetrax, Linn. v. i, p. 371

jj.— CURSORIUS. — Bill shorter than the head,
depressed at the base, slightly arched and bent downwards at
the tip, pointed: nostrils oval, covered above by a small pro-
tuberance: tarsi long, slender; toes three, very short, almost
entirely divided; inner toe half the length of the middle one;
claws very small: wings moderate; second quill longest.

C.visabellinus, Meyer. - - v. i, p. 373

ORDER XIII.— GRALLATORES.

BILL various, generally straight, long and conical,
compressed, rarely depressed : legs generally

XX11. SYNOPSIS.

naked above the heel; tarsi slender; toes three
or four, long, more or less connected by a mem-
brane at the base ; hind toe articulated on the
same plane with the front ones, or more elevated.

Division i. — Feet ivith three toes.

i

Gen. 54.— CEDICNEMUS.— Bill longer than the head,
straight, strong, slightly depressed at the base, compressed
towards the tip; culmen raised near the point; under man-
dible angulated beneath : nostrils placed in the middle of the
bill, longitudinally slit, and extending nearly as far as the
horny portion, open in front, pervious: tarsi long, slender;
toes three, directed forwards, united by a membrane as far as
the second joint: wings moderate; second quill longest: tail
graduated.

CE. crepitans, Tenim. - v. 2, p. i

Gen. 5J. — CAL1DRIS. — Bill moderate, straight, slender,
flexible throughout, compressed at the base, depressed at the
tip: nasal groove extending nearly the whole length; nostrils
basal, lateral, longitudinally slit: tarsi slender; toes three,
directed forwards, almost entirely divided: wings moderate;
first quill longest.

C. arenaria, Illiger. - v. 2, p. 4

Gen. 36.— HIMANTOPUS.— Bill very long, slender,
cylindrical, depressed at the base, compressed at the tip;
both mandibles channelled laterally for half their length :
nostrils lateral, linear, elongated : legs and tarsi very long,
slender ; nearly the whole of the tibia naked ; toes three,
directed forwards ; middle toe united to the outer one by a
broad membrane, and to the inner toe by a very narrow
membrane; claws very small, flat: wings very long; first
quill longest.

H. melanopterus, Meyer. - - v. 2, p. 6

SYNOPSIS. XXlii

Gen. 57.— H^EMATOPUS.— Bill long, robust, straight,
point very much compressed: nostrils lateral, longitudinally
slit; nasal groove extending half the length of the bill: legs
naked above the heel; tarsi strong; toes three, bordered by
a narrow membrane; the middle toe united at its base to
the inner one, and to the outer toe as far as the first joint:
wings moderate; first quill longest.

H. ostralegus, Linn. - v. 2, p. 9

f 5<9._CHARADRIUS.— Bill shorter than the head,
slender, straight, somewhat enlarged towards the tip, com-
pressed: nasal groove extending two-thirds of its length,
covered by a large membrane; nostrils basal, slit in the
middle of the membrane; tarsi long or of moderate length;
toes three ; outer one connected to the middle toe by a
second short membrane; inner toe divided: wings moderate;
quill longest: tail slightly rounded or square.

C. pluvialis, Linn. v. 2, p. 12

C. Morinellus, Linn. - v. 2, p. 14

C. Hiaticula, Linn. \. 2, p. 16

C. Cantianus, Lath.
C. minor, Meyer.

Division 2. — Feet with four toes.

Gen. 59— VANELLUS.— Bill short, slender, straight,
compressed; both mandibles swelled towards the extremity:
nasal groove large, covered by a membrane; nostrils linear,
slit in the membrane: tarsi slender; three toes before and
one behind; middle toe united to the outer one by a short
membrane; hind toe elevated, very small, or rudimentary:
wings round or pointed; first, or fourth and fifth quills
longest.

* First quill feather longest.

V. melanogaster, Bechst. v. 2, p. 19

* * Fourth and fifth quill feathers longest.

V. cristatus, Meyer. - - - v. 2, p. 21

XXIV. SYNOPSIS.

Gen. 60.— STREPSILAS.— Bill moderate, strong, straight,
forming an elongated cone, tapering gradually to the point,
which is hard and rather blunt; ridge slightly depressed:
nostrils basal, lateral, pervious, partly covered by a mem-
brane: legs naked a little above the heel; tarsi moderate;
toes three before and one behind; front toes connected at
the base by a short membrane; hind toe articulated high up
the tarsus, and only touching the ground at the tip : wings
long, acuminated; first quill longest.

S. collaris, Temm. - - \. 2, p. 25-27

Gen. 61. — GRUS. — Bill a little longer than the head,
strong, straight, compressed and pointed ; base of the upper
mandible deeply channelled; culmen raised: nostrils per-
vious, placed longitudinally in a groove about the middle of
the bill, closed behind by a membrane; head more or less
naked: legs long, strong; a considerable part of the tibia
naked; three toes in front; the middle and outer one united
by a membrane; hind toe articulated high up the tarsus:
wings moderate; third quill longest.

G. cinerea, Bechst. v. 2, p. 29

Gen. 62. — CICONIA. — Bill longer than the head, straight,
strong, cylindrical, forming a lengthened cone; upper man-
dible convex above; lower mandible inclining a little up-
wards at the tip: nostrils nearly basal, longitudinally placed
in the horny substance of the bill: eyes surrounded by a
naked skin: a considerable part of the tibia naked; tarsi
long; three toes before, united by a membrane, as far as the
second joint; hind toe articulated on the same plane with
the front toes; claws short, depressed, not pectinated: wings
rather long; third, fourth, and fifth quills longest.

C. alba, Belon. - v. 2, p. 32

C. nigra, Belon.

Gen. 63. — ARDEA. — Bill as long as, or a little longer
than the head, strong, straight, compressed, forming an

SYNOPSIS. XXV.

elongated cone; upper mandible channelled for about two-
thirds of its length; ridge rounded: nostrils lateral, basal,
placed in the groove, and half closed by a membrane:
orbits and lore naked: legs long and slender; tibia more or
less naked; three toes before, the two outer united by a
short membrane; one toe behind, inclined inwards; middle
claw with the inner margin pectinated : wings ample ; second
and third quills longest.

* Bill longer than the head, wider than high at the base;
upper mandible nearly straight : a considerable portion of the
tibia naked.

A. cinerea, Lath. v. 2, p. 36

A. purpurea, Linn. v. 2, p. 40

A. Garzetta, Linn. - v. 2, p. 43

A. aequinoctialis, I\[oni. v. 2, p. 45

A. alba, Linn. - v. 2, p. 46

* * Bill as long as, or longer than the head, higher than
broad at the base, much compressed; upper mandible slightly
curved : not much of the tibia naked : neck thick and rather
short; feathers of the fore part loose and elongated; the hind part
funished only with down.

A. stellaris, Linn. v. 2, p. 47
A. lentiginosa, Mont.

A. Ralloides, Scop. v. 2, p. 50

A. minuta, Linn. - v. 2, p. 52-54

. 64.— NYCTICORAX.— Bill a little longer than the
head, higher than broad, much compressed; upper man-
dible slightly curved: occiput furnished with two or three
very long subulate feathers.

N. Ardeola, Temm. v. 2, p. 55

Gen. 6^.— RECURVIROSTRA.— Bill very long, slender,
depressed throughout; point flexible, much curved upwards;
upper mandible grooved above; under mandible grooved
along the sides : nostrils long, linear, placed on the upper
part of the beak : a considerable portion of the tibia naked ;
tarsi long, slender; three toes before; hind toe very small,
articulated high on the tarsus; anterior toes united by a
membrane as far as the second joint: wings acuminated;
first quill longest.

R. Avocetta, Linn. v. 2, p. 58

VOL. i. d

XX vi. SYNOPSIS.

Gen. 66.— PLATALEA.— Bill very long, robust, much
depressed, dilated and rounded at the extremity in the form
of a spoon; upper mandible channelled, transversely fur-
rowed at the base: nostrils dorsal, near together, oblong,
open, bordered by a membrane; face and head more or less
naked : tarsi long and strong ; three toes in front, united as
far as the second joint by a deeply cut membrane; hind toe
long, resting on the ground : wings rather large ; second
quill longest.

P. Leucorodia, Linn. - v. 2, p. 61

Gen. 6j. — IBIS. — Bill long, slender, arcuate, broad at the
base, tip depressed, obtuse and rounded; upper mandible
deeply grooved throughout its whole length : nostrils nearly
basal, linear, placed in the groove : face and throat more or
less naked : tarsi long and slender ; lower part of the tibia
naked ; three toes before, one behind ; anterior toes united
by a membrane as far as the first joint; hind toe long, rest-
ing on the ground: wings moderate; second and third quills
longest.

I. Falcinellus, Temm. - v. 2, p. 65

. 68.— NUMENIUS.— Bill long, slender, arcuate,
compressed, tip hard, rounded, rather obtuse; upper man-
dible projecting over the lower one, and grooved along
three-fourths of its length: nostrils basal, linear, placed in
the groove : face and lore covered with feathers : tarsi long ;
tibia partly naked; three toes before, one behind; anterior
toes connected by a membrane as far as the first joint; hind
toe articulated high on the tarsus, and touching the ground :
wings moderate; first quill longest.

N. arquata, Lath, v. 2, p. 68

N. Phaeopus, Lath. - v. 2, p. 70

Gen. 69. — TRINGA. — Bill rather long, straight, or slightly
bent, soft and flexible throughout, compressed at the base,
dilated and obtuse at the extremity; both mandibles fur-

SYNOPSIS. xxvii.

rowed nearly to the tip: nostrils lateral, conical, placed in
the membrane of the groove : lower part of the tibia naked ;
tarsi slender; three toes before, one behind; anterior toes
entirely divided, or the middle one joined by a membrane
to the outer toe as far as the first joint; hind toe articulated
on the tarsus: wings moderate; first quill longest.

* Anterior toes entirely divided.

T. subarquata, Temm. • v. 2, p. 73

T. pectoralis, Bonap.

T. variabilis, Meyer - v. 2, p. 75-77

T. Schinzii, Bonap.

T. platyrhyncha, Temm.

T. maritima, Brunn. - v. 2, p. 79-81

T. Temminckii, Leisler.

T. minuta, Leisl. v. 2, p. 83

T. rufescens, Vieill.

T. cinerea, Linn. v. 2, p. 84

* * Middle and outer toes united by a membrane as far as
the first joint: neck in the male furnished with an ornamental ruff
during the breeding season.

T. pugnax, Linn. - v. 2, p. 87-91

Gen. 70. — TOTANUS. — Bill moderate or long, generally
straight, rarely inclining upwards, compressed, soft at the
base, hard and sharp at the point; upper mandible grooved
for half its length, slightly bending over the lower-one at the
tip: nostrils lateral, linear, placed in the groove: legs long,
slender, naked above the heel; three toes before, one behind;
anterior toes, or the outer ones only united by a membrane,
which sometimes extends as far as the second joint: wings
moderate; first quill longest.

* Bill straight; point of the upper mandible bending over the
lower one: the three anterior toes, or the outer ones only, united.

T. fuscus, Leisl. - v. 2, p. 94

T. Calidris, Bechst. - v. 2, p. 96

T. Ochropus, Temm. - v. 2, p. 99

T. Glareola, Temm. v. 2, p. 101
T. Macularia, Temm.

T. Hypoleucos, Temm. v. 2, p. 103-106

* * Bill strong, a little bent upwards ; mandibles almost equal
at the point: middle and outer toes united.

T. Glottis, Bechst. - - - v. 2, p. 108-110

XXV111. SYNOPSIS.

Gen. 77. — LIMOSA. — Bill very long, depressed, more or
less bent upwards, soft and flexible throughout, flattened
towards the point ; upper mandible grooved for nearly its
whole length, tip obtuse, dilated : nostrils lateral, linear,
placed in the membrane of the groove : legs long and slen-
der, naked above the heel; three toes before, one behind;
middle and outer toes united by a membrane as far as the
first joint: wings moderate; first quill longest.

L. melanura, Let's/. - v. 2, p. 113

L. rufa, Briss. v. 2, p. 115

Gen. 72.— SCOLOPAX.— Bill long, straight, slender,
compressed, soft, the tip obtuse and dilated; both mandibles
grooved for half their length ; upper one a little longer than
the lower: nostrils lateral, basal, linear, covered by a mem-
brane : legs moderate, slender, occasionally naked for a short
space above the heel; three toes before and one behind; the
anterior toes almost entirely divided : wings moderate ; first
quill longest.

* Tibia feathered to the heel; anterior toes entirely divided.
S. Rusticola, Linn. - - - v. 2, p. 118

* Lower part of the tibia naked.

S. major, Gmel. v. 2, p. 124

S. Sabina, Vigors. v. 2, p. 126

S. Gallinago, Linn. - - - v. 2, p. 128

S. Gallinula, Linn. - - v. 2, p. 132

* * * Outer and middle toes united by a membrane as far as
the first joint.

S. Noveboracensis, Gmel. v. 2, p. 134

Gen. 7J. — RALLUS. — Bill longer than the head, rather
slender, slightly arched or straight, compressed at the base,
cylindrical at the tip ; upper mandible grooved for two-thirds
of its length : nostrils lateral, linear, placed in the groove,
partly covered by a membrane : lower part of the tibia naked ;
tarsi long and robust ; toes long and slender, three before
and one behind ; anterior toes entirely divided ; hind toe

SYNOPSIS. xxix.

articulated on the tarsus: wings short, rounded; third and
fourth quills longest.

R. aquaticus, Linn. - v. 2, p. 137

Gen. 7^.— GALLINULA.— Bill shorter than the head,
compressed, conic, culmen advancing on the forehead, and
occasionally forming a naked disk ; mandibles of equal
length, upper one slightly curved : nostrils lateral, linear,
placed in the middle of the bill, half concealed by the mem-
brane which covers the nasal cavity: tarsi long; tibia naked
for a short space above the heel ; three toes before, one be-
hind; anterior toes very long, entirely divided, bordered by a
narrow membrane: wings moderate; second and third quill
longest.

* Ridge of the upper mandible advancing between the feathers
of the forehead, but not forming a naked disk.

G. Crex, Lath. - v. 2, p. 141

G. Porzana, Laf/i. v. 2, p. 143

G. pusilla, Bechst. v. 2, p. 145
G. Baillonii, Vieill.

* * Ridge of the upper mandible expanding at the base on the
forehead, forming a naked disk.

G. chloropus, Lath. - - - N v. 2, p. 148

ORDER XIV.— PINNATIPEDES.

BILL moderate, straight ; upper mandible a little
bent at the point : tarsi slender or compressed ;
three toes before and one behind, furnished with
a broad scalloped membrane ; hind toe articulated
on the inner surface of the tarsus.

Gen. 75. — FULICA. — Bill shorter than the head, strong,
conic, straight, compressed, higher than broad, thick at the
base, ridge advancing on the forehead, and spreading into a
naked disk; tips of the mandibles of equal length: nostrils

XXX. SYNOPSIS.

lateral, medial, longitudinally cleft, half covered by a mem-
brane: tarsi long and slender; tibia naked for a short space
above the heel ; anterior toes very long, united at the base,
and bordered by a scalloped membrane : wings moderate :
second and third quills longest.

F. atra, Linn. - v. 2, p. 152

Gen. 76.— PHALAROPUS.— Bill as long as the head,
straight, slender, depressed at the base ; both mandibles
grooved throughout their whole length ; upper mandible
slightly curved at the point : nostrils basal, lateral, oval, pro-
minent, surrounded by a membrane : tarsi moderate, slender,
compressed ; three toes before, one behind ; anterior toes
united as far as the first joint, and bordered by a scalloped
membrane serrated at the edges ; hind toe without a mem-
brane, and articulated on the inner side of the tarsus : wings
moderate; first and second quills longest.

* Bill slender, depressed only at the base, and sharp at the
point.

P. hyperboreus, Lath. - v. 2, p. 137

* * Bill depressed throughout its whole length.

P. platyrhinchus, Temm. v. 2, p. 159-160

Gen. 77.— PODICEPS— Bill moderate, straight, hard,
forming a lengthened cone, sharp-pointed; upper mandible
slightly turned down at the tip: nostrils lateral, linear, closed
behind by a membrane : lore naked : tarsi rather short, much
compressed ; three toes before, one behind ; anterior toes
much depressed, united at the base, and furnished with
a wide scalloped membrane ; hind toe compressed and
lobated ; claws large, much depressed : wings short ; the
three first quills nearly equal in length, and longest; no tail.

P. cristatus, Lath v. 2, p. 164-166

P. rubricollis, Lath. - v. 2, p. 167

P. cornutus, Lath. v. 2, p. 169-171
P. auritus, Lath.

P. minor, Lath. - - - . v. 2, p. 173

SYNOPSIS. XXXI.

ORDER XV.— PALMIPEDES.

BILL various: tarsi short, often placed far back-
wards; toes generally four; the anterior ones
palmated, or semi-palmated ; occasionally all the
four toes united ; hind toe sometimes wanting.

Gen. 78 — STERNA. — Bill as long as, or longer than the
head, nearly straight, compressed, tapering, slender, sharp-
pointed ; mandibles of equal length, upper one slightly
bending at the tip : nostrils near the middle of the bill, ob-
long, linear, pervious: tarsi short; tibia naked for a short
space above the heel; toes four, the three anterior ones
united by membranes deeply concave in front, or semi-
palmated; hind toe free: wings very long, acuminated;
first quill longest: tail generally forked.
S. Caspia, Pall.

S. Cantiaca, GmeL v. 2, p. 177

S. Dougallii, Mont. - v. 2, p. 179

S. Hirundo, Linn. v. 2, p. 181

S. Anglica, Mont. v. 2, p. 183

S. stolida, Linn.
S. leucoptera, Tern in.

S. nigra, Linn. v. 2, p. 184

S. minuta, Linn. v. 2, p. 186

Gen. 79. — LARUS. — Bill moderate, strong, compressed,
cultrated, bending downwards at the tip; lower mandible
with a prominent angle beneath: nostrils lateral, linear,
medial, longitudinal, pervious: tibia naked above the heel;
tarsi moderate; three toes before, entirely palmated; hind
toe free, short, articulated high on the tarsus: wings long;
second quill longest.

L. glaucus, Brunn. - v. 2, p. 191-193

L. Islandicus, Edmondston.

L. argentatus, Brunn. - - v. 2, p. 194

XXX11. SYNOPSIS.

I,, marinus, Linn. - v. 2, p. 196-198

L. fuscus, Linn. v. 2, p. 199

I,, eburneus, Linn. - - v. 2, p. 201

L. canus, Linn. v. 2, p. 203

L. tridactylus, Z#M. - - v. 2, p. 205-207

L. Atricilla, Linn.

L. ridibundus, Linn. - - v. 2, p. 209-212

L. Sabini, Sabine.

L. minutus, 7W/. - - v. 2, p. 213

(r<?«. <?o. — -LESTRIS. — Bill moderate, strong, hard, round-
ed above, compressed and bent towards the tip; the base of
the upper mandible covered with a cere; under mandible
with a prominent angle beneath: nostrils placed far for-
wards, diagonal, straight, closed behind, pervious: tibia
naked above the heel; tarsi rather long: hind toe very small,
the three anterior entirely palmated; claws large and much
hooked: tail slightly rounded; the two middle feathers
longest: wings moderate; first quill longest.

L. Cataractes, Temm. - v. 2, p. 216

L. pomarinus, Temm.

L. Richardsonii, Swaths on. - - v. 2, p. 219-221

L. parasiticus, Temm.

Gen. 81.— PROCELLARIA.— Bill robust, much hooked,
suddenly inflated towards the tip; under mandible truncated
at the tip, with a prominent angle beneath: nostrils con-
tained in a tube extending along the ridge of the bill: tarsi
moderate, compressed ; three toes before, entirely palmated ;
a sharp simple claw in place of the hind toe : tail rounded :
wings long; first quill longest.

P. glacialis, Linn. - v. 2, p. 225

Gen. 82.— PUFFINUS.— Bill longer than the head, slen-
der, compressed at the point; lower mandible deflected at
the tip: nostrils in a double tube extending along the upper
surface of the bill: tarsi moderate, compressed; toes three
in front, rather long, entirely webbed; hind toe rudimentary,
wings long, acuminated; first quill feather longest.

SYNOPSIS. xxxiii.

P. major, Faber.

P. Anglorum, Temm. - v. 2, p. 227

6J«*. 83.— THALASSIDROMA.— Bill shorter than the
head, slender, much compressed at the point; lower man-
dible pointed and bent at the tip, following the curvature of
the upper: nostrils extending half the length of the bill, con-
tained in one tube, showing two distinct orifices in front:
tarsi very long, slender: tail square or slightly forked.

T. Bulwerii, Jardine and Selbv.

T. Leachii, Vig. v. 2, p. 230

T. Wilsoni, Bonap.

T. pelagica, Vig. v. 2, p. 232

Gen. 84. — ANSER. — Bill as long as, or shorter than the
head, conical, elevated at the base, and covered with a cere
or skin; upper mandible deflected at the tip; lower one flat,
straight, narrower -and shorter: nostrils lateral, placed to-
wards the middle of the bill: legs in the equilibrium; tarsi
slightly elongated; hind toe free: wings tuberculated, or
spurred.

A. ferus, Steph. - v. 2, p. .236-238

A. Segetum, Steph. v. 2, p. 245
A. brachyrhynchus, Bail/.

A. Albifrons, Steph. \. 2, p. 249

A. Leucopsis, Becks f. - v. 2, p. 251

A. Bernicla, Temm. v. 2, p. 254

A. ruficollis, Pall. v. 2, p. 256

* A. Canadensis, Flem. - v. 2, p. 258

* A. ^Egyptiacus, Meyer. v. 2, p. 262
A. Gambensis, Flem. - v. 2, p. 264

* A. Guineensis, Briss. - v. 2, p. 266

Gen. 85. — CYGNUS. — Bill of equal breadth throughout,
higher than broad at the base, depressed at the point; upper
mandible deflected at the tip; lower one flat: nostrils ob-
long, lateral, medial: neck very long: legs out of the equili-
brium; tarsi short; hind toe small and free.

C. ferus, Ray. - v. 2, p. 268

C. Bewickii, Yarrell. - v. 2, p. 273

VOL i. e

XXXIV. SYNOPSIS.

* C. Olor, Steph. v. 2, p. 275
C. immutabilis, Yarr.

Gen. 86. — ANAS. — Bill depressed, broad towards the tip ;
the edges of both mandibles furnished with pectiftated
lamellae: nostrils small, oval, placed near the base: legs
short, and feathered to the heel; three toes before, one
behind, the latter free: wings moderate; second quill gene-
rally longest.

* Hind toe without a membrane.

A. rutila, Pallas.
A. Tadorna, Linn.

* A. moschata, Linn.

A. Boschas, Linn. - \

A. Strepera, Linn.
A. acuta, Linn.
A. Penelope, Linn.
A. Americana, Wils.
A. glocitans, Pall.
A. Querquedula, Linn.
A. Crecca, Linn.
A. Clypeata, Linn.
'* * Hind toe with a lobated membrane.

A. mollissima, Linn. - v. 2, p. 319

A. spectabilis, Linn. - v. 2, p. 324

A. perspicillata, Linn.

A. fusca, Linn. v. 2, p. 327

A. nigra, Linn. v. 2, p. 329

A. rufina, Pall.

A. Marila, Linn. v. 2, p. 332

A. ferina, Linn. v. 2, p. 334

A. leucophthalmos, Bechst. - v. 2, p. 337

A. Fuligula, Linn. v. 2, p. 339

A. dispar, Gmel.

A. histrionica, Linn. v. 2, p. 341

A. Clangula, Linn. - v. 2, p. 343

A. glacialis, Linn. - v. 2, p. 345

Gen. 8?.— MERGUS.— Bill as long as, or longer than
the head, straight, slender, forming an elongated and almost
a cylindrical cone; upper mandible tapering towards the tip,
which is furnished with a strong hooked nail; edges of both
mandibles set with sharp teeth directed backwards: nostrils

SYNOPSIS. XXXV.

lateral, oblong-oval, pervious, placed towards the middle of
the bill: legs short, placed rather backwards; hind toe with
a lobated membrane: wings moderate; first and second
quills nearly equal.

M. Merganser, Linn. - - v. 2, p. 349-352

M. Serrator, Linn. v. 2, p. 354

M. cucullatus, Linn.

M. albellus, Linn. - v. 2, p. 356-358

Gen. 88.— CARBO.— Bill generally a little longer than
the head, straight, compressed, culmen rounded; upper
mandible very much hooked at the point; face and throat
naked: nostrils basal, linear, concealed: tarsi strong and
short, placed far backwards: toes four, united by a mem-
brane; claw of the middle toe serrated on the inner edge:
wings moderate; second quill longest: tail feathers stiff and
rigid.

C. Cormoranus, Meyer. v. 2, p. 360-363-368

C. cristatus, Temm. v. 2, p. 369

Gen. 8g. — SULA. — Bill long, robust, forming an elon-
gated cone thick at the base, compressed towards the tip,
which is slightly curved; gape extending beyond the eyes;
edges of the mandibles serrated; face and throat naked:
nostrils basal, linear, concealed: tarsi short and strong, placed
far backwards; toes four, united by a membrane; middle
claw with the inner edge denticulated: wings long; first quill
longest, or equal to the second; tail cuneiform, composed of
twelve feathers.

S. Bassana, Sriss. v. 2, p. 372

Gen. 90.— COLYMBUS.— Bill as long as the head,
strong, straight, slightly compressed, sharp-pointed; upper
mandible longer than the lower; edges of both curving in-
wards: nostrils basal, lateral, linear, and partly closed by a
membrane: tarsi much compressed, placed very far back-
wards; three toes in front, very long; hind toe short, lobated;
claws depressed: wings short; first quill longest: tail very
short, rounded.

C. glacialis, Linn. v. 2, p. 379

XXXVI. SYNOPSIS.

C. arcticus, Linn. -v. 2, p. 381-383

C. septentrionalis, Linn. - \. 2, p. 385-387

Gen. gi. — URIA. — Bill moderate, strong, straight, point-
ed, compressed; upper mandible slightly curved towards the
point: nostrils basal, lateral, linear, pervious, placed longi-
tudinally, and partly closed by a membrane covered with
feathers: legs placed far backwards, tarsi short; three toes
in front, none behind: wings short; first quill longest: tail
short.

U. Troile, Lath. -v. 2, p. 390-392

U. Grylle, Lath. - \. 2, p. 394

Gen. 92.— MERGULUS.— Bill shorter than the head,
thick, convex, conical, slightly curved, covered at the base
with feathers; both mandibles notched at the tip: nostrils
basal, lateral, round, partly concealed by a plumose mem-
brane: wings rather short; first and second quills longest:
tail short.

M. Alle, Selbj. v. 2, p. 396

Gen. 93.'— MORMON. — Bill shorter than the head, higher
than long, much compressed anteriorly; both mandibles
arched, transversely furrowed, and notched at the tip; cul-
men more elevated than the crown of the head: nostrils
basal, marginal, linear, almost entirely closed by a large
naked membrane: legs short, placed far backwards; three
toes in front, no hind toe; claws curved: wings short; first
and second quills longest: tail short.

M. Fratercula, Temm. - v. 2, p. 398

Gen. g4> — ALCA. — Bill straight, large, compressed, much
curved towards the point; both mandibles with four trans-
verse grooves, and covered with feathers at the basal portion:
nostrils lateral, marginal, linear, placed near the middle of
the bill, almost entirely closed by a membrane covered with
feathers: legs short, abdominal; three toes in front, no hind
toe; claws slightly curved : wings short: tail pointed.

A. Torda, Linn. - v. 2, p. 402-404

A. impennis, Linn v. 2, p. 405

BRITISH BIRDS

of

RAPACIOUS birds, or those which subsist chiefly on
flesh, are much less numerous than rapacious quad-
rupeds ; and it seems wisely provided by Nature,
that their powers should be equally confined and
limited with their numbers ; for if to the rapid
flight and penetrating eye of the Eagle, were joined
the strength and voracious appetite of the Lion, the
Tiger, or the Glutton, no artifice could evade the
one, and no speed could escape the other.

The characters of birds of the ravenous kind are.
particularly striking, and easily to be distinguished;
the formidable talons, the large head, the strong
and crooked beak, indicate their ability for rapine
and carnage ; their dispositions are fierce, and their
nature is untractable ; cruel and unsociable, they
avoid the haunts of civilization, and retire to the
most gloomy and wild recesses, where they can
enjoy, in solitude, the fruits of their depredations.
The ferocity of their nature shewrs itself even to-
wards their young, which they drive from the nest
at a very early period. The difficulty of procuring
a constant supply of food for them probably over-
comes the feelings of parental affection, and they

2 BRITISH BIRDS.

have been known to destroy them in the fury of
disappointed hunger. Different from almost all
other kinds, the female of birds of prey is larger
and stronger than the male : naturalists have
puzzled themselves to assign the reason of this
•extraordinary property, but the final cause at least
is obvious, — as the care of rearing the young is
chiefly intrusted to the female, Nature would seem
to have furnished her with more ample powers to
provide for her own wants, and those of her
offspring.

This formidable tribe constitutes the first Order
of birds. The British genera belonging to it con-
sist of three, viz., the Vulture, the Falcon, and the
Owl. We shall begin with the former.

BRITISH BIRDS.

ALPINE VULTURE.

IMMATURE.

(Cathartcs pcrcuoptcrus, Temminck. — Catharte
alimochc, Temm.)

THIS species is described as building in high
rocks about Arragon, in Spain, where it is called
" Bolcta" It is sometimes driven by tempest from
Persia to Astrachan, in the Russian dominions, as
some have been shot thereabouts.

4 BRITISH BIRDS.

A pair of these birds, supposed to be male and
female, visited this country in the long scorching
hot summer of 1826. The present subject was shot
by a servant of the Rev. John Matthew, of Kilve,
near Bridgewater. It had recently gorged itself
with a putrid lamb, which was supposed to be the
cause of its allowing itself to be approached within
shot.* The stench from it was intolerable.

These birds, as far as can be known, are the first
that ever appeared at large in Britain. The stuffed
specimen was lent to the late Sir J. Trevelyan,
Bart., of Nettlecombe, Somersetshire, who oblig-
ingly sent a drawing of it for the use of this work.

The measurements of the bird, taken by Mr.
Matthew, jun., were also sent to Sir John, as fol-
lows : — From the point of the bill to the end of the
tail, two feet three inches ; from tip to tip of the
wings, about five feet six or eight inches and a half.
The plumage is composed of deepish brown and
buff: the shoulders, lesser coverts, and breast,
brown, more or less edged and tipped with buff:
the back, thighs, and tail are wholly of the latter
colour : the primaries are very dark brown, as is
also the ruff about the neck : the bill is dusky, and
hooked at the tip, with a few hairy looking feathers
on the brow and chin : the back part of the head
somewhat the same, but forming a more tufted or
crested appearance : the head and upper part of
the neck are quite bare of feathers, and the skin is
lightish blue : the legs are also of that colour ;
claws black.

* Its associate was very wild : it was eagerly pursued, but could
not be approached. At length it flew away over the Quantox hills,
and thus took its final departure.

BRITISH BIRDS. 5

These birds live wholly on dead or putrid ani-
mals, which they can scent at a very great distance.
With the ruff they occasionally quite cover their
heads ; but whether to screen it from heat, cold, or
wet, or to disguise themselves from observation, is
left to conjecture.

BRITISH BIRDS.

ft)c ^falcon.

THE numerous species of which this kind is com-
posed, are found in almost every part of the world,
from the frigid to the torrid zone : they are divided
into various families, consisting of Falcons, Eagles,
Hawks, Kites, Buzzards, and Harriers, and are
readily known by the following characteristics :—

The bill is strong, sharp, and much hooked, and
is furnished with a naked skin or cere situated at
the base, in which are placed the nostrils ; the head
and neck are well clothed with feathers, which
sufficiently distinguish this genus from the Vulture
kind ; the legs and feet are scaly, having three toes
before and one behind ; the claws are large and
strong, much hooked, and very sharp. The larger
species feed on quadrupeds and birds, some on fish,
others on reptiles ; many of the inferior kinds on
insects. The plumage differs greatly according to
sex and age, the young of some not acquiring the
adult livery in less than three, four, and even six
years. The latter are moreover distinguished gen-
erally, by more numerous and varied spots and
lines, longitudinally disposed, Avhile the colours of
some of the mature birds appear in large masses
or bands, running transversely. They moult only
once a year. Birds of this genus are also dis-
tinguished by their undaunted courage, and great
activity. Buffon, speaking of the Eagle, compares
it with the Lion, and ascribes to it the magnan-
imity, the strength and the forbearance of that
noble quadruped. The Eagle despises small ani-
mals, and disregards their insults ; he seldom
devours the whole of his prey, but like the Lion,

BRITISH BIRDS. 7

leaves the fragments to other animals : except
when famishing with hunger, he disdains to feed
on carrion. The eyes of the Eagle have the glare
of those of the Lion, and are nearly of the same
colour ; the claws are of the same shape, and the
cry of both is powerful and terrible ; destined for
war and plunder, they are equally fierce, bold, and
untractable. Such, is the resemblance which that
ingenious and fanciful writer has pictured of these
two noble animals : the characters of both are
striking and prominent, and hence the Eagle is
said to extend his dominion over the birds, as the
Lion over the quadrupeds.

The same writer also observes, that, in a state of
nature, the Eagle never engages in a solitary chase
but when the female is confined to her eggs or her
young : at this season the return of the smaller
birds affords plenty of prey, and he can \vith ease
provide for the sustenance of himself and his mate ;
at other times they unite their exertions, and are
always seen close together, or at a short distance
from each other. Those who have had an oppor-
tunity of observing their motions, say, that the
one beats the bushes, whilst the other, perched on
an eminence, wratches the flight of the prey. They
often soar out of the reach of human sight : and
notwithstanding the immense distance, their cry is
still heard, and then resembles the yelping of a
dog. Though a voracious bird, the Eagle can en-
dure hunger for a long time. An Eagle, caught
in a fox-trap, is said to have passed five weeks
without the least food, and did not appear sensibly
weakened till to\vards the last week, when a period
was put to its existence.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GREENLAND FALCON.*
(Falco Grcenlandicus, Linnaeus. — Hancock.)

THIS is a very elegant species ; length of the-
male twenty-one inches, of the female two feet
three inches. The bill is much hooked, and yel-
low ; iris dusky ; throat white, as is likewise the
general colour of the plumage, but spotted with
brown ; the breast and belly in some are marked
with lines, pointing downwards ; the spots on the

* This bird and the Iceland, or Jer-Falcon, were considered as
one species, until they were separated by Mr. John Hancock, who
pointed out their characteristic features in a paper read in the
Natural History Section of the British Association, at their Meeting
in Newcastle, in 1838, and afterwards published in the Annals of
Natural History, vol. 2., page 241.

BRITISH BIRDS. 9

back and wings are larger ; the feathers on the
thighs are very long, and of a pure white ; those of
the tail are barred : the legs are pale blue, feathered
below the knee. This bird is a native of the cold
and dreary climates of the north, and is found in
Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Baffin's Bay; it is
never seen in warm, and seldom in temperate
climates ; it is found, but rarely, in Scotland and
the Orkneys. Next to the Eagle, it is the most
formidable, active, and intrepid of all rapacious
birds, and the most esteemed for falconry. It is
transported from Iceland and Russia into France,
Italy, and even into Persia and Turkey ; nor does
the heat of these climates appear to diminish its
strength, or blunt its vivacity. It boldly attacks
the largest of the feathered race ; the Stork, the
Heron, and the Crane are easy victims : it kills
hares by darting directly upon them. The female,
as in all other birds of prey, is much larger and
stronger than the male, which is used in falconry,
chiefly to catch the Kite, the Heron, and the Crow.
Our figure was taken from a female now in the
Newcastle Museum.

VOL. I.

10 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE LANNER *

(Falco Lanarms, Linn. — Faiicon lanier, Temm.)

THIS bird is about the size of the Greenland
Falcon. Bill blue; cere inclining to green; eyes
yellow; the feathers on the upper parts of the body
are brown, with pale edges ; above each eye is a
white line, which runs towards the hinder part
of the head, and beneath it a black streak pointing
down towards the neck; throat wrhite; breast dull
yellow, marked with brown spots; thighs and vent
the same ; quill feathers dusky, marked on the
inner webs with oval spots, of a rust colour; the
tail is spotted in the same manner; legs short and
strong, and of a bluish colour.

The Lanner is not common in England; it breeds
in Ireland, and is found in various parts of Europe.
It derives its name from the mode of tearing its
prey into small pieces with its bill.

* Montagu considers the Lanner lost, or else it is a Peregrine.
Temminck recognizes it as a distinct species, but does not mention
England as one of its habitats. Captain Sabine considers the Falco
Stellaris and Stone Falcon of authors to belong to the Lanner, being
the young bird, and not referable to the Peregrine, though they have
always been made so.

BRITISH BIRDS.

II

it*

THE PEREGRINE FALCON.*

PASSENGER FALCON.

(Falco per egri mis, Linn. — Faucon pclerin, Temm.)

THE length of this bird is eighteen inches,
breadth three feet six and a half inches, weight two
and a quarter pounds. The bill is pale blue, tipped
with black ; it is short, strong, and much notched.
The irides are dark ; orbits and cere yellow : the
head, hinder part of the neck, and cheeks are

* The female in falconry is called a Falcon, the male a Tiercel ;
the female yearling is termed a red Falcon, the male a red Tiercel,
and when thoroughly docile is called Gentle or Gentil Hawk. This
is the Lanner of the British Zoology. Captin Sabine includes the
Falco communis of Gmelin and the French naturalists, among the
synonymes of the Peregrine.

12 BRITISH BIRDS.

brownish black, with a stripe of that colour falling
down from the cheeks and corners of the mouth,
before the auriculars, on each side of the throat.
The upper plumage is dingy bluish ash, more or
less clouded and barred with dark brown, and the
shaft of each feather black. The bastard wing,
and the primary and secondary quills appear at a
first glance to be of an uniform plain dark ash
coloured brown, but on a nearer inspection the
whole are seen to be barred with darker spots, and
tipped with dull white. The rump and tail coverts
are more distinctly barred, and of a lighter colour
than the other upper parts. The tail, which con-
sists of twelve feathers, is a dark dingy ash, barred
or spotted with brownish black, and tipped with
pale brown or dirty white. The under parts of the
plumage are pale clay colour, plain on the auri-
culars, chin, and fore part of the neck ; but towards
the breast, the feathers are slightly marked with
very small scratches of black, and the breast with
roundish black spots. The sides, belly, and insides
of the wings are dull white, beautifully, and dis-
tinctly barred with dark brown ; the primary and
secondary quills, on the inside, are also barred, in
the same way, with ash and dingy freckled white.
The thighs are long, and prettily marked with
small heart-shaped spots ; legs and toes short,
strong, and yellow ; claws black.

The bird from which this figure and description
were taken, was a male, shot by M. Bell, Esq., of
Woolsington, in the act of tearing a Partridge,
March 21, 1814. Length from bill to tail sixteen
inches : breadth thirty-seven inches ; weight twenty-
three ounces and a half.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE HOBBY.

(Falco Subbiitco, Linn. — Faucon hobercau, Temm.)

THE length of the male is twelve inches ; breadth
about two feet ; the tips of the wings reach beyond
the extremity of the tail. The bill is blue; cere
and orbits of the eyes yellow; irides dark hazel; a
light coloured streak passes over each eye ; the top
of the head, and back, are bluish black; wing
coverts the same, but in some edged with rust
colour; the hinder part of the neck is marked with
two pale yellow spots ; a black mark from behind
each eye, pointing forward, is extended down on
the neck; the breast and belly are pale, marked
with dusky streaks; the thighs rusty with long

14 BRITISH BIRDS.

dusky streaks; wings brown; the two middle tail
feathers deep dove colour, the others barred with
rusty, and tipped w^ith white ; the legs and feet are
yellow. The female is much larger, and the spots
on her breast more conspicuous than those of the
male.

The Hobby breeds with us, lays four eggs, irre-
gularly spotted or blotched with brown, and is said
to migrate in October. It was formerly used in
falconry, chiefly for Larks and other small birds,
which were caught in a singular manner ; when the
Hawk was cast off, the Larks, fixed to the ground
through fear, became an easy prey to the fowler,
who drew a net over them. Buffon says, that it
was used in taking Partridges and Quails.

BRITISH BIRDS.

(Falco

THE MERLIN.

^ Linn. — Fazicon emcrillon, Temm.

THE Merlin is one of the smallest of the Falcon
tribe in this country, the male scarcely exceeding
the size of a Blackbird. The specimen, which was
lent to this work by a young friend and rising
naturalist, Mr. John Hancock, of Newcastle, is the
fourth of the kind which we have ever heard of in
the north of England. Length eleven and a half
inches; breadth twenty-four and three-quarters;
weight six and a half ounces. The bill is bluish ;
irides dark brown : its upper plumage is of a deep
lead-coloured blue, with the shaft of each feather
on the back, wing coverts, scapulars, and upper
part of the head black ; the quill feathers are dark
brown ; inner webs crossed with bars or spots of
white; the end of the tail is black, tipped with

1 6 BRITISH BIRDS.

white ; the inner webs, except the two middle
feathers, are marked with undefined or indistinct
darkish bars or spots ; the under parts rufous, with
longitudinal brown streaks or spots ; the sides of
the neck to the nape are also -rufous ; and the
cheeks faintly partake of the same colour ; the chin
white; legs yellow; claws black.

The Merlin, though small, is not inferior in
courage to any of the Falcon tribe. It was used
for taking Larks, Partridges, and Quails, which it
would frequently kill by one blow, striking them
on the breast, head, or neck. It flies low, and with
great celerity and ease. It preys on small birds ;
breeds in wild moory districts in the northern parts
of Britain; and lays four or five eggs thickly mot-
tled with rusty brown.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE FEMALE MERLIN.

THE bill is blue ; cere and irides dark brown ;
head rust colour, streaked with black ; back and
wings of a deepish brown, tinged with ash, streaked
down the shafts with black, and edged with rusty ;
quill feathers dark, tipped and margined on the
inner webs with reddish white ; breast and belly
yellowish white, with ferruginous streaks pointing
downwards ; the tail is long, and. marked with
alternate dusky and pale bars ; the wings when
closed, do not reach quite to the end of the tail :
legs yellow ; claws black.

VOL. I.

1 8 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE KESTREL.

STONEGALL, STANXEL HAWK, OR WINDHOVER.

(Falco TinnunculuSy Linn. — Faucon crcsserelle, '
Temm.)

THE male differs so much from the female that
we have given a figure of a mature bird which we
had in our possession. Length fourteen inches ;
breadth two feet three inches ; bill blue ; cere and
eyelids yellow ; eyes black ; forehead dull yellow ;
top of the head, back part of the neck, and sides,
as far as the points of the wings, lead colour, faintly
streaked with black ; the cheeks are paler ; from
the corner of the mouth on each side a darkish
streak points downwards ; back and coverts of the
wings bright cinnamon brown, spotted with black ;*
quill feathers dusky, with light edges ; inside of the
wings white, beautifully spotted with brown on the
under coverts, and barred on all the quills with
pale ash ; the under part of the body is pale rust

* Some specimens are much more spotted than others.

BRITISH BIRDS. 19

colour, streaked and spotted with black ; thighs
plain ; rump and upper coverts lead blue, and the
tail feathers fine blue grey, with black shafts ;
towards the end is a broad black bar both on the
upper part and under sides ; the tips are white :
legs yellow, claws black.

The Kestrel is widely diffused throughout Europe,
and is found in the more temperate parts of North
America : it is a handsome bird ; with an acute
sight, and easy graceful flight ; it breeds in the
hollows of trees, and in the holes of rocks, towers,
and ruined buildings ; lays four or five pale reddish
eggs ; feeds on small birds, field mice, and reptiles ;
after securing its prey, it plucks the feathers very
dexterously from birds, but swallows mice entire,
and discharges the hair, in the form of round balls,
by its mouth. This bird is frequently seen hover-
ing in the air, and fanning with its wings, by a
gentle motion, or wheeling slowly round, at the
same time watching for its prey, on which it shoots
like an arrow. It was formerly used in Great Bri-
tain for catching small birds and young Partridges.

20

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE FEMALE KESTREL.

THIS beautiful bird is distinguished from every
other Hawk by its variegated plumage ; the bill is
blue ; cere and feet yellow ; eyes dark, surrounded
with a yellow skin ; head rust coloured, streaked
with black ; there is a light spot behind each eye ;
the back and wing coverts are rusty brown, and
elegantly marked writh numerous undulated bars of
black ; the breast, belly, and thighs are of a pale
reddish buff, with dusky streaks pointing down-
wards ; vent plain ; the tail is marked by a pretty
broad dark ash-coloured bar near the end; a num-
ber of smaller ones, the same colour, occupy the
remaining part ; the tip is pale.

BRITISH BIRDS.

21

THE GOLDEN EAGLE.

(Falco Fiih.it s^ Linn. — ^-liglc royal, Temm.)

THIS bird measures from the point of the bill to
the extremity of the tail, scarcely three feet ; from
tip to tip of the wings, above seven ; and weighs
from sixteen to eighteen pounds. The male is
smaller, and does not weigh more than twelve
pounds. The bill is of a deep blue ; cere yellow ;

22 BRITISH BIRDS.

eyes large, deep sunk, and covered by a projecting
brow ; the iris hazel, and sparkles with uncommon
lustre. The general colour is deep brown, mixed
with tawny on the head and neck : quills chocolate,
with white shafts ; tail black, spotted with ash ;
legs yellow, feathered down to the toes, which are
very scaly ; the claws are remarkably large ; the
middle one is two inches in length.

This noble bird is found in various parts of
Europe ; but abounds most in the warmer regions,
seldom being met with farther north than the fifty-
fifth degree of latitude. It is known to breed in
the mountainous parts of Ireland ; lays three, and
sometimes four eggs, though it seldom happens
that more than two are prolific. Pennant says
there are instances, though rare, of their having
bred in Snowdon Hills. Wallis, in his Natural
History of Northumberland, says, " it formerly had
its aerie on the highest and steepest part of Che-
viot. In the beginning of January, 1735, a very
large one was shot near Warkworth, which
measured from point to point of its wings, eleven
feet and a quarter."

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GOLDEN EAGLE.

IMMATURE.

THE upper part of the head and neck is mixed
with rust colour, and the base of the larger feathers
marked with white : the bill is of a dark horn
colour ; cere yellow : iris hazel ; between the bill
and the eye is a naked skin of dirty brown : legs
feathered to the toes, which are yellow, claws

24 BRITISH BIRDS.

black : the tail is distinguished by a white ring,
which covers about two-thirds of its length ; the
remaining part is black.

The bird in this plumage is the Ring-tailed
Eagle of authors. It is now, however, ascertained
to be the immature state of the Golden Eagle,
(Falco Fulvus.) The young appear to wander fur-
ther from their native haunts than the parent birds,
hence they are more frequently met with in lowland
countries.

JiRITISH BIRDS.

THE WHITE -TAILED EAGLE.

GREAT ERNE, OR CINEREOUS EAGLE.

(Falco Albicilla, Linn. — Atgle pygargue, Temm.)

THIS bird is larger than the Golden Eagle. The
length above three feet, expanded wings upwards

VOL. I. D

26 BRITISH BIRDS.

of eight. The beak, cere, and eyes are of a pale
yellow : the space between the beak and the eye is
bluish, thinly covered with hair : the sides of the
head and neck a pale ash, mixed with reddish
brown : general colour of the plumage brown,
darkest on the upper part of the head, neck, and
back ; quill feathers very dark ; breast irregularly
marked with white spots ; tail white ; the legs,
which are of a bright yellow, are feathered a little
below the knees ; claws black.

This bird inhabits all the northern parts of
Europe, and is found in .Scotland and other parts
of Great Britain. It is said to lay only two eggs
during the whole year, and frequently produces
only one bird ; it is however widely dispersed, and
was met with at Botany Island by Captain Cook.
It lives chiefly on fish : its usual haunts are by the
sea-shore ; it also frequents the borders of large
lakes and rivers ; and is said to see so distinctly in
the ; dark, as to be able to pursue and catch .its prey
during the night. The story of the Eagle brought
to the ground after a severe conflict with a cat,
which it had seized and taken up in the air with its
talons, is very remarkable. Mr. Barlow, who was
an -eye-witness of the fact, made a drawing of it,
which he afterwards engraved.

BRITISH BIRDS.

^J^^^£^^>j=^£Sg3£i

THE WHITE-TAILED EAGLE.

IMMATURE.

THE bill bluish : irides light hazel, a row of
strong bristly feathers hangs down from its under
mandible next to its throat, whence it has been
termed the Bearded Eagle ; the top of the head
and back part of the neck are dark brown, inclining

28

BRITISH BIRDS.

to black ; the feathers on the back are variegated
by a lighter brown, with dark edges ; scapulars
pale brown, the edges nearly white ; breast and
belly whitish, with irregular spots of brown ; tail
feathers dark brown, the outer edges of the exterior
feathers \vhitish ; quill feathers and thighs dusky ;
legs and feet yellow ; the claws, which are large,
and form a complete semicircle, are of a shining
black.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE OSPREY.

BALD BUZZARD, SEA EAGLE, OR FISHING HAWK.

(Falco HaliactnSy Linn. — Aiglc balbuzard, Temm.)

THE length of the male is twenty-two inches, the
female about two feet : breadth above five : bill
black, cere blue, eyes yellow ; crown of the head
white, marked with oblong dusky spots ; the
cheeks, and all the under parts of the body, are
white, slightly spotted with brown on the breast;
from the corner of each eye a streak of dark brown
extends down the sides of the neck towards the

30 BRITISH BIRDS.

wing ; the upper part of the body is brown ; the
two middle tail feathers the same ; the others
are marked on the inner webs with alternate bars
of brown and white : legs very short and thick,
being only two inches and a quarter long, and two
inches in circumference ; they are of a pale blue ;
claws black ; outer toe larger than the inner one,
and turns easily backward, by which means this
bird can more readily secure its slippery prey.

Buffon observes that the Osprey is the most
numerous of the large birds of prey, and is scat-
tered over Europe, from Sweden to Greece, and
that it is found even in Egypt and Nigritia. Its
haunts are on the sea shore, and on the borders of
rivers and lakes ; its principal food is fish ; it darts
upon its prey with great rapidity, and undeviating
aim. The Italians compare its descent upon the
water to a piece of lead falling upon that element,
and distinguish it by the name of Aquila Piumbina,
or the Leaden Eagle. It builds on trees and lays
three or four eggs, of an elliptical form, rather
larger than those of a hen. The Carolina and
Cayenne Ospreys are varieties of this species.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GOSHAWK.

(Falco palumbariiiS) Linn. — L'Aufotir Temm.)

LENGTH of the female from one foot ten inches to
two feet, the male is a third less : the bill blue,
tipped with black ; cere green ; eyes yellow ; a
whitish line passes over each eye : the head and all
the upper parts are of a deep brown ; each side of
the neck is irregularly marked with white ; the
breast and belly are white, with a number of wavy
lines or bars of black; the tail long, of an ash
colour, and crossed with four or five dusky bars ;
legs yellow ; claws black ; the wings are much
shorter than the tail. Buffon, wrho brought up two
young birds of this kind, a male and a female,
makes the following observation : " That the Gos-
hawk, before it has shed its feathers, that is, in its

32 BRITISH BIRDS.

first year, is marked on the breast and belly with
longitudinal brown spots ; but after it has had two
moultings they disappear, and their place is occu-
pied by transverse bars, which continue during the
rest of its life." He observes further, "that though
the male was much smaller than the female, it was
fiercer, and more vicious. Feeds on mice and
small birds, and eagerly devours raw flesh ; it
plucks the birds very neatly, and tears them into
pieces before it eats them, but swallows the pieces
entire ; and frequently disgorges the hair rolled up
in small pellets."

The Goshawk is found in France and Germany ;
sometimes in England ; is common in North Ameri-
ca, Russia, and Siberia : in Chinese Tartary there is
a variety which is mottled with brown and yellow*
They are said to be used by the Emperor of China
in his sporting excursions, when he is usually
attended by his grand falconer, and a thousand
of inferior rank. Every bird has a silver plate
fastened to its foot, with the name of the falconer
who has the charge of it, that in case it should be
lost, it may be restored to the proper person ; but
if he should not be found, the bird is delivered to
another officer called the guardian of lost birds, who,
to make his situation known, erects his standard in
a conspicuous place among the army of hunters.
In former times, the custom of carrying a Hawk on
the hand was confined to men of high distinction ;
so that it was a saying among the Welsh, "you
may know a gentleman by his Hawk, horse, and
greyhound." Even the ladies in those times were
partakers of this gallant sport, and have been repre-
sented in sculpture with Hawks on their hands.

BRITISH BIRDS. 33

At present this noble diversion is wholly laid aside
in this country ; the advanced state of agriculture
which every where prevails, and the consequent
improvement and inclosure'of lands, would but ill
accord with the pursuits of the falconer, who re-
quires a large and extensive range of country,
where he may pursue his game without molestation
to himself, or injury to his neighbour. The expence
that attended this sport was very considerable,
which confined it to princes and men of the highest
rank. In the time of James I. Sir Thomas Monson
is said to have given a thousand pounds for a cast
of Hawks. In the reign of Edward III. it was
made felony to steal a Hawk ; to take its eggs,
even in a person's own ground, was punishable
with imprisonment for a year and a day, together
with a fine at the king's pleasure. Such was the
delight our ancestors took in this royal sport, and
such were the means by w^hich they endeavoured to
secure it. Besides the bird just described, there
are many other kinds which were formerly in high
estimation for the sports of the field ; these were
principally the Falcon, the Jer-Falcon, the Lanner,
the Sacre,* the Hobby, the Kestrel, and the Merlin :
these are called the Long-winged Hawks, and are
distinguished from the Goshawk, the Sparrow-
hawk, the Kite, and the Buzzard, which are of
shorter wing, slower in their motions, more indo-
lent, and less courageous than the others.

* A name implying a particular brown colour of some of the
unmoulted Falcons-Gentil.

VOL. I.

34

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SPARROW-HAWK.
(Falco Nisus, Linn. — L'Epervier, Temm.)

THE length of the male is twelve inches ; that of
the female fifteen. The bill is blue, furnished with
bristles at the base, which overhang the nostrils ;
eyes bright orange ; head flat at the top, and above
each eye is a strong bony projection, which seems
as if intended to secure it from external injury ;
from this projection a few scattered spots of white
form a faint line running backward towards the
neck : the top of the head and all the upper parts
are of a dusky brown, tinged with blue ; on the
back part of the head there is a faint line of white ;
the scapulars are marked with two spots of white
on each feather ; the greater quill feathers and the
tail are dusky, the latter are marked with four bars
of a lighter hue ; the tips white ; the inner webs of

BRITISH BIRDS. 35

all the quills are marked with two or more large
white spots ; the breast, belly, and under coverts
of the wings and thighs are white, beautifully barred
with brown ; the throat is faintly streaked with
brown : legs and feet yellow ; claws black.

The above is the description of a female : the
male differs both in size and colour : the upper part
of his body is of a dark lead colour, and the bars
on his breast are more numerous.

The female builds her nest in hollow trees, high
rocks, or lofty ruins, sometimes in the old nest of a
crow, and generally lays four or five eggs spotted
with red at the thicker end.

The Sparrow-hawk is very numerous in various
parts of the world, from Russia to the Cape of
Good Hope. It is a bold and spirited bird ; but is
obedient and docile, and can be easily trained to
hunt Partridges and Quails ; it makes great de-
struction among Pigeons, young poultry, and small
birds of all kinds, which it will attack and carry off
in the most daring manner.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE KITE.

FORK-TAILED KYTE, OR GLEAI).

(Falco MtlvuSy Linn. — Afilan royal, Temm.)

Is easily distinguished from the Buzzard, and
indeed from all the rest of the tribe, by its forked
tail. Its length is about two feet ; bill horn colour,
furnished with bristles at the base ; eyes and cere
yellow ; the feathers on the head and neck are
long and narrow, of a hoary colour, streaked with
brown down the middle of each ; those on the body
are reddish brown, the margin of each feather pale ;
quills dark brown, legs yellow, claws black. It is
common in England, where it continues the whole
year. It is found in various parts of Europe, in
very northern latitudes, whence it retires towards
Egypt before winter, in great numbers : it is said

BRITISH BIRDS.

37

to breed there and return in April to Europe, where
it breeds a second time, contrary to the nature of
rapacious birds in general. It lays two or three
eggs of a whitish colour, spotted with pale yellow,
of a roundish form. Though the Kite weighs
somewhat less than three pounds, the extent of its
wings is more than five feet ; its flight is rapid,
and it soars very high in the air, frequently beyond
the reach of sight : yet from this distance descends
upon its prey with irresistible force ; its attacks are
confined to small quadrupeds and birds ; it is par-
ticularly fond of young chickens, but the fury of
their mother is generally sufficient to drive away
the robber.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE BUZZARD.

PUTTOCK.

(Falco Buteo, Linn. — Busc commune, Temm.)

M. BUFFON distinguishes the Kites and the Buz-
zards from the Eagles and Hawks by their habits
and dispositions, which he compares to those of
the Vultures, and places them after those birds.
Though possessed of strength, agility, and weapons
to defend themselves, they are cowardly and inac-
tive ; they will fly before a Sparrow-hawk, and
when overtaken, will suffer themselves to be beaten,
and even brought to the ground, without resistance.

BRITISH BIRDS. 39

The Buzzard is about twenty inches in length,
breadth four feet and a half. Its bill is of a lead
grey ; in some the eyes are pale yellow ; in others
hazel ; upper parts of the body dusky brown ; wings
and tail marked with bars of a darker hue : the
under parts pale, variegated with light reddish
brown : legs yellow ; claws black. But birds of
this species are subject to great variations, as
scarcely two are alike ; some are entirely white ; of
others the head only is white ; and others again .
are mottled with brown and white.

This well-known bird is of a sedentary disposi-
tion : it continues many hours perched upon a tree
or eminence, whence it darts upon the game that
comes within its reach ; it feeds on birds, small
quadrupeds, reptiles, and insects. Its nest is con-
structed with small branches, lined with wool and
other soft materials ; it lays two or three eggs,
whitish, spotted with brown. It feeds and tends
its young with great assiduity.

The author was favoured with one of these birds
by John Trevelyan, Esq., of Wallington, by whom
it was shot in the act of devouring its prey — a
Partridge it had just killed. It had separated the
flesh from the bones, wrhich, with the legs and
wings, were discovered lying at a small distance
from the place where the Buzzard was shot.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD.

(Falco Lagopus, Gm. Linn. — Buse pattuey Temm.)

THE length from the tip of the bill to end of the
tail twenty-two inches and a half; breadth four
feet four inches ; weight two pounds and a half.
The bill is slightly notched, short, and bluish
black ; cere yellow ; irides pale yellow. The head
straw yellow, streaked with narrow lines of brown ;
the breast and neck the same, but the streaks are
broader; the middle of the belly to the thighs
chocolate brown ; back and wings the same ;
coverts somewhat of a paler cast, the lesser edged
with yellow, and the greater with rather undefined
dirty or brownish white ; first and secondary quills
barred with brown ; the upper coverts of the tail
white, with yellowish edges, and marked with

BRITISH BIRDS. 41

longish pointed spots of brown ; under coverts
yellowish white ; tail feathers white at the base,
and irregularly barred alternately with deeper and
lighter brown to near the end, where they are
slightly tipped with dirty white ; the long tufted
feathers, which cover the thighs, are reddish or
tawny yellow, streaked with spots of brown : legs
the same, and feathered to the toes ; the toes
yellow and rather short ; claws black and not
much hooked.

VOL. i.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE HONEY BUZZARD.

(Falco ApivoruSy Linn. — Buse bondree, Temm.)

MEASURES about two feet in length ; the wings
extend above four feet. The bill is black, and
rather longer than that of the Buzzard ; eyes yel-
low ; head large and flat, and of an ash colour ;
upper parts dark brown : the under parts white,
spotted or barred with rusty brown on the breast
and belly : the tail brown, marked with three
broad dusky bars, between each of which are two
or three of the same colour, but narrower ; the legs
are stout and short, of a dull yellow ; claws black.

BRITISH BIRDS.

43

This bird builds a nest similar to that of the
Buzzard, and of the same kind of materials ; its
eggs are blotched all over with dark brown ; it
sometimes takes possession of the nests of other
birds, and feeds its young with wasps and other
insects ; it is fond of field mice, frogs, and lizards.
It does not soar like the Kite, but flies low from
tree to tree. It is found in all the northern parts
of Europe, and in the open parts of Siberia, but is
not so common in England as the 'Buzzard.

44

BRITISH BIRDS.

MOOR BUZZARD.

DUCK HAWK, OR WHITE HEADED HARPY.

(Falco Rufus, Linn. — Busard harpaye ou de marais,
Temm.)

LENGTH about twenty-two inches, breadth of the
female four feet five and a half inches. The bill
black ; cere and eyes yellow ; crown of the head
yellowish white, lightly tinged with brown ; throat
of a light rust colour; the rest of the plumage
reddish brown, with pale edges ; greater wing
coverts tipped with white ; legs yellow ; claws
black.

BRITISH BIRDS. 45

Birds of this kind vary much : in some, the
crown and back part of the head are yellow ; and
in one described by Latham, the whole bird was
uniformly of a chocolate brown, with a tinge of
rust colour. The above figure and description
were taken from a very fine living bird, sent for
the use of this work by the late John Silvertop,
Esq., of Minsteracres, Northumberland, which very
nearly agreed with that figured in the Planches
Enluminees*

The Moor Buzzard preys on rabbits, on young
wild ducks, and other water fowl ; and likewise
feeds on fish, frogs, reptiles, and even insects : its
haunts are in hedges and bushes near pools,
marshes, and rivers that abound with fish. It
builds its nest a little above the surface of the
ground, or in hillocks covered with thick herbage :
and lays three or four eggs of a whitish colour,
irregularly sprinkled with dusky spots. Though
smaller, it is bolder and more active than the
Common Buzzard ; and, when pursued, faces its
antagonist, and makes a vigorous defence.

* According to Temminck, this bird in the adult state corresponds
to the Falco Rufus of authors, La Harpaye, Buff., the Harpy Falcon
of Latham. It is after the second moult that it forms the Falco
ceruginosus, Lath. Le Busard de Marais, Buff.

46

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE HEN-HARRIER.

DOVE-COLOURED FALCON, OR BLUE HAWK.

(Falco Cyaneus, Mont. — Busard St. Martin, Temm.)

LENGTH eighteen inches ; breadth somewhat
more than three feet. The bill is black, and
covered at the base with long bristly feathers ;
cere, irides, and edges of the eyelids yellow : the
upper parts bluish grey, mixed with light tinges of
rusty ; the breast and under coverts of the wings
white, the former marked with rusty-coloured
streaks, the latter with bars of the same ; the
greater quills are black, the secondaries and
lesser quills ash grey; the two middle feathers
of the tail are grey, the rest are marked on their
inner webs with dusky bars ; the legs are long,

BRITISH BIRDS.

47

slender, and yellow. This work has been favoured
with several individuals of this species by John
Silvertop, Esq.

The Hen-Harrier feeds on birds and reptiles ; it
breeds annually on Cheviot, and on most of the
moory districts in the northern parts of Britain : it
flies low, skimming along the surface of the ground
in search of prey ; makes its nest on the ground,
and lays four white eggs : although varieties occur
which are faintly spotted with red.

48

BRITISH BIRDS.

t.V

THE HEN-HARRIER

FEMALE.

LENGTH twenty inches ; breadth three feet nine.
Bill black ; cere and irides yellow ; the upper part
of the body dusky ; breast, belly, and thighs yel-
lowish brown, marked with oblong* dusky spots ;
rump white ; a line of whitish feathers passes from
the back part of the head behind the eyes to the
throat, forming a kind of collar or wreath ; there is
a white spot under each eye ; the tail is long, and
marked with alternate brown and dusky bars ; legs
yellow; claws black. The first plumage of the
male resembles that of the female.

BRITISH BIRDS.

49

MONTAGU'S HARRIER.

ASH-COLOURED FALCON.

(Falco cineraceuSy Montagu.)

MONTAGU gives a figure and description of this
bird as one hitherto not noticed as a distinct
species, and has with his usual minuteness detailed
his reasons for thinking it is so. The bird is
now universally recognized, subsequent observation
having established the accuracy of the account
given by this indefatigible naturalist. He says,
" that it has been long known and confounded with
the Hen-Harrier, a proof of which is evident by the
description of what Pennant supposed a variety of

VOL. I. G

50 BRITISH BIRDS.

the Ringtail/' He adds, " that it is hardly neces-
sary to remark, that the bright ferruginous colour
of the markings is always sufficient to discriminate
this." In the adult male, these bright markings on
the under parts of the body, and under the wings,
and the black bars on the secondary quills, inde-
pendent of the great difference in the tail, at
once point out the distinction from the male Hen-
Harrier. In the female, the uniform ferruginous
colour of all the under parts is sufficient to
discriminate it from the female Hen-Harrier, be-
sides the colours being much brighter : and in the
adolescent or changing state of the plumage, the
same difference exists in the markings. These
birds breed in England, but whether they remain
with us the whole year, has not been ascertained.
Our figure was from a stuffed specimen obligingly
lent to this work by P. J. Selby, of Twizel House,
Esq.

BRITISH BIRDS. 51

THE Owl is distinguished, among birds of the
rapacious kind, by peculiar and striking characters :
its outward appearance is not more singular than
its habits and dispositions : unable to bear the
brighter light of the sun, it retires to some lonely
retreat, where it passes the day in silence and
obscurity; but at the approach of evening, when
all nature is desirous of repose, and the smaller
animals, which are its principal food, are seeking
their nestling places, the Owl comes forth from
its lurking holes in quest of prey. Its eyes are
admirably adapted for this purpose, being so
formed as to distinguish objects with greater
facility in the dusk than in broad day-light. Its
flight is low and silent during its nocturnal excur-
sions, and when it rests, it is then only known by
the frightful and reiterated cries, with which it
interrupts the silence of the night. If forced from
its retreat during the day, its flight is broken and
interrupted, and it is sometimes attended by num-
bers of small birds, who, seeing its embarrassment,
pursue it with incessant cries, tormenting it with
their movements : the Jay, Thrush, Blackbird, Red-
breast, Titmouse, and others, all assemble to hurry
and perplex it. During all this, the Owl remains
perched upon the branch of a tree, and answers
them only with awkward and insignificant gestures,
turning his head, eyes, and body, with all the
appearance of mockery and affectation. All the
species of Owls, however, are not alike dazzled and

52 BRITISH BIRDS.

confused/with the light of the sun ; some of them
being able to fly, and see distinctly in open day.

Nocturnal birds of prey have been generally
divided into two kinds — that which hath tufted ears
or horns, as they have been termed, and that which
is plain or without them. These consist of small
tufts of feathers, standing up like ears on each side
of the head, which are erected or depressed at
pleasure ; and in all probability are of use in
directing the organs of hearing, which are very
large. Both kinds are alike in having their eyes
so formed as to be able to pursue their prey with
much less light than other birds. The general
character of the Owl is as follows : The eyes large,
and surrounded with a radiated circle of feathers,
of which the eye itself is the centre ; the beak and
talons strong and hooked : the body very short,
but thick, and well covered with the softest and
most delicate feathers ; the external edges of the
outer quills in general are finely fringed, which
adds greatly to the smoothness and silence of its
flight.

BRITISH BIRDS.

53

THE SNOWY OWL.

OR GREAT WHITE OWL.

(Strix nyctea. Linn. — Chouette harfang^ Temm.)

ON the authority of Mr. Bullock, of London, we
give this as a new species of British Owl.* On his
tour to the Orkney and Zetland Isles, in the month

* A fine one was shot at Elsdon, Northumberland, in December,
1822, by Alexander Potts. It is probably in very rigorous seasons
only that it comes so far south.

54 BRITISH BIRDS.

of July, 1812, he discovered that thesfe birds breed
there, and live chiefly upon Rabbits, the Alpine
Hare, the Ptarmigan, and other birds. He de-
scribes the male bird to be of an immaculate white,
but others are mottled with brown, and he supposes
them to be the female, or the young wtiich have
not attained to mature plumage. Montagu says
this bird rather exceeds the Eagle Owl in size;
that it measures nearly two feet in length, and
sometimes weighs above three pounds ; while
Edwards and other ornithologists describe it as
being less. The irides are orange yellow ; the bill
black and nearly covered with feathers ; feet, to the
claws the same. In the stuffed specimen from
which the above figure was sketched, the head,
coverts, back, breast, and belly were thinly marked
with brownish dusky spots ; on the latter parts and
sides, these spots assumed rather a more wavy
shape, and the primary and secondary quills were
somewhat barred near the tips. The abode of
these birds is chiefly in the arctic regions ; they
are met with in Norway, Sweden, Lapland,
Russia, Siberia, Kamtschatka, Hudson's Bay, and
Greenland.

BRITISH BIRDS.

55

THE TAWNY OWL.

COMMON BROWN IVY OWL, OR HOWLET.

(Strix alucoy Meyer. — Chouette hulotte, Temm.)

THE bill is white, eyes dark blue; the radiated
feathers round the eyes are white, finely streaked
with brown ; the head, neck, back, wing coverts
and scapulars, are tawny brown, finely powdered
and spotted with dark brown and black : on the
wing coverts and scapulars, are several large white
spots, regularly placed, so as to form three rows ;
the quill feathers are marked writh alternate bars of
light and dark brown ; the breast and belly are
pale yellow, marked with narrow dark streaks

56 BRITISH BIRDS.

pointing downwards, and crossed with others of the
same : the legs are feathered down to the toes ; the
claws large, much hooked, and white. This species
is found in various parts of Europe ; it frequents
woods, and builds its nest in the hollows of trees.
The Tawny Owl and Brown Owl have by some
authors been described as distinct species ; but
others seem to agree in considering them identical,
the differences arising merely from age and sex.

BRITISH BIRDS.

57

THE YELLOW OWL.

GILLIHOWLET, CHURCH, BARN, OR SCREECH OWL.

(Strix flammed. Linn. — Chouette cffraie, Temm.)

LENGTH fourteen inches. Bill pale horn colour;
eyes dark; the radiated circle round the eye is
composed of feathers of the most delicate softness,
and perfectly white ; the head, back, and wings are
yellow buff, beautifully powdered with very fine
grey and brown spots, intermixed with white ;
the breast, belly, and thighs are white ; on the
former are a few dark spots ; the legs are feathered

VOL. I. H

58 BRITISH BIRDS.

down to the toes, which are covered with short
hairs ; the wings extend beyond the tail, which is
short, and marked with alternate bars of dusky and
white ; the claws are white. Birds of this kind
vary considerably ; of several which we examined,
the differences were very conspicuous, the colours
being more or less faint according to the age of
the bird ; the breast in some was white, without
spots — in others pale yellow.

The Yellow Owl is often seen in the most
populous towns, frequenting churches, old houses,
maltings, and other uninhabited buildings, where
it continues during the day, and leaves its haunts in
the twilight in quest of prey. It has obtained
the name of Screech Owl from its cries, repeated
at intervals, and rendered loud and frightful from
the stillness of the night. During its repose it
makes a blowing noise, somewhat resembling the
snoring of a man. It makes no nest, but lays from
three to five white eggs, which it deposits in the
holes of walls. It feeds on mice and small birds,
swallowing them whole, and afterwards emitting
the bones, feathers, and other indigestible parts, at
its mouth, in the form of small round cakes or
pellets, which are often found in the empty build-
ings it frequents.

BRITISH BIRDS. 59

TENGMALM'S OWL.*

(Strix Tengmalmi) Linn. — Chouette Tengmalm,
Temm.)

THE length of this bird is about nine and a half
inches, breadth twenty-one and a half, weight four
ounces : the bill is light horn colour ; irides pale
yellow ; orbits black, and a patch or streak of that
colour passes from underneath the eye to the beak.
The circular feathers on the face are white, mixed
or faintly streaked with pale brown, and surrounded

* In the last edition of this work, this figure was named Strix
fiasserina, but from a careful examination of the specimen from
which the drawing was made, we find the toes, as represented, are
too long; the inaccuracy probably may have arisen from those parts
having been mutilated by the shot.

The difference between Strix passerina and Strix Tengmalmi con-
sists principally in the length of the toes ; those of the former being
somewhat longer and thinly covered with hair-like feathers, whilst
the present species has the feet and toes thickly clothed with downy
feathers to the claws.

6o

BRITISH BIRDS.

with a border of black, somewhat divided by
small spots of white ; the head and neck are
spotted with pale brown and white ; breast and
belly white, streaked and patched with various-
sized spots of light brown ; legs and vent white ;
back, wings, and tail brown ; somewhat inclining
to olive, and distinctly marked with white spots.
The legs and feet are covered with soft feathers
down to the claws. It frequents rocks, caverns,
and ruined buildings, makes its rudely-constructed
nest in the most retired places, and lays four or
five white eggs. It sees better in the day-time
than other nocturnal birds, and gives chase to
small birds on the wing ; it likewise feeds on mice.
It would appear from the accounts of ornithologists
that this bird is seldom seen in Britain. The
drawing, by Mr. R. R. Wingate, of Newcastle,
from which the cut \vas engraven, was taken from
a specimen shot at Widdrington, January, 1813.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SHORT-EARED OWL.

(Strix brachyotos, Gm. Linn. — Hibou brachyote,
Temm.)

LENGTH fourteen inches ; breadth three feet. The
head is small, and hawk-like ; bill dusky ; the
irides are bright yellow, and when the pupil is
contracted, shine like gold : the circle round each
eye is dirty white, with dark streaks pointing out-
wards ; immediately round the eye is a circle of
black ; the two ear tufts consist of not more than
three feathers, of a pale brown or tawny, with a
dark streak in the middle of each ; the whole upper
part of the body is variously marked with dark
brown and tawny, the feathers mostly edged with

62 BRITISH BIRDS.

the latter; the breast and belly are pale yellow,
marked with dark longitudinal streaks, most nu-
merous on the breast : the legs and feet are covered
with feathers of a pale yellow ; claws much hooked,
and black : the wings are long, and extend beyond
the tail ; quills marked with alternate bars of a
dusky and pale brown ; the tail is likewise marked
with bars of the same colours, and the middle
feathers are distinguished by a dark spot in the
centre of the yellow space ; the tip white. Of
several of these birds, both male and female, with
which this work has been favoured, both sexes had
the upright tufts or ears ; in one which was alive,
they were very conspicuous, and appeared more
erect while the bird remained undisturbed ; but
when frightened, were scarcely to be seen : in the
dead birds they were hardly discernible.

Pennant seems to have been the first who de-
scribed this beautiful species, which he supposed to
be a bird of passage, as it visits us only in the
latter part of the year, and disappears in the spring.
It has been known to breed in Northumberland,
the young having been taken before they were
able to fly. It flies by day, and sometimes is seen
in companies : twenty-eight were once counted in
a turnip field in November.* It is found chiefly
in wooded or mountainous countries : its food is
principally field mice.

* Communicated by the late Thomas Penrice, Esq., of Yarmouth;
but differently accounted for by Montagu, by which it would appear
they must have been attracted by immense numbers of mice, on
which they prey.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE FEMALE SHORT-EARED OWL.

THIS bird was somewhat larger than the former ;
the colours and marks were the same, but much
darker, and the spots on the breast larger and more
numerous ; the ears were not discernible. Being a
dead bird, and having not seen any other at the
time, the author supposed it to be a distinct kind ;
but having since seen several, both males and
females, is convinced of the mistake.

64

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE EAGLE OWL.

OR GREAT EARED OWL.

(Strix bubo, Linn. — Hibou grand due, Temm.)

Is one of the largest of the British Owls, and has
a powerful as well as a dignified look. The ear

BRITISH BIRDS. 65

tufts are composed of seven or eight feathers which
are more than two inches long. The bill is strong,
much hooked, and black; claws the same; irides
reddish yellow ; legs very stout, and covered
with a great thickness of short mottled brown
feathers ; toes the same down to the claws. The
predominant colours of the plumage are very dark
brown and ferruginous, but mixed and beautifully
variegated with markings and shades of black,
brown, and yellow, with spots of white, crossed
wTith zigzag lines, and innumerable minute speck-
lings of white, ash-grey, and brown. The outline
of our figure was taken from a living bird exhibited
in a show, the markings of the plumage from a
very ill stuffed specimen, which was taken on the
coast of Norway, and obligingly lent to this work
by Capt. Wm. Gilchrist, of this port. This bird is
sometimes met with in the northern Scottish isles,
where it preys upon Rabbits and Grouse, which
are numerous there, but it is very rarely seen in
England ; it generally lays two or three eggs,
which are of a round form, and perfectly white.

VOL. I.

66

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE LONG-EARED OWL.

(Strix Otus, Linn. — Plibou moyen-duc, Temm.)

LENGTH fourteen inches ; breadth about three
feet. The bill is black; irides bright orange; the
radiated circle round each eye is of a light cream
colour, in some parts tinged with red ; between the
bill and the eye there is a circular streak of dark
brown ; another circle of dark rusty brown entirely
surrounds the face ; its ear tufts consist of six
feathers, closely laid together, of a dark brown,
tipped and edged with yellow; the upper part of
the body is beautifully pencilled with fine streaks
of white, rusty, and brown ; the breast and neck
are yellow, finely marked with dusky streaks,
pointing downwards; the belly, thighs, and vent

BRITISH BIRDS.

67

feathers of a light cream colour ; there are four or
five large white spots upon each wing; the quill
and tail feathers are marked with dusky and red-
dish bars : the legs are feathered down to the
claws, which are very sharp, the outer claw is
moveable, and may be turned backwards.

This bird is common in various parts of Europe,
as well as in this country ; its usual haunts are in
old ruined buildings, in rocks, and in hollow trees.
Buffon observes, that it seldom constructs a nest of
its own, but not unfrequently occupies that of the
Magpie; it lays four or five \vhite eggs, rounded
at the ends ; the young are at first white, but
acquire their natural colour in about fifteen days.

68 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SCOPS EARED OWL.

(Strix Scops , Linn. — Hibou Scops, Temm.)

THIS is the smallest of the Owl kind in this
country; its bill is brown at the base, and paler
at the tip ; irides light yellow. The upper plumage
appears brown, the under grey, but on a nearer
inspection the whole is prettily variegated with
white spots, streaks, and bars of dusky brown,
rufous and yellow, and almost every feather is
speckled with white, brown, and grey ; the circular
feathers on the face are powdered with brown :
the neck, head, and ear feathers, are much the
same, but more distinctly marked with bars,
streaks, and spots of white, yellow, and brown ;
the back feathers and greater coverts of the wings
are barred, streaked, and speckled with the same
colours, but on their outer margins are patched
with spots of white ; the greater quills are trans-
versely barred on their outer webs with white and

BRITISH BIRDS. 69

freckled brown, and barred on the inner webs
to their tips with the latter colour ; the tail is
barred nearly in the same way. The legs are
covered to the toes with yellowish soft feathers
spotted with brown ; the toes are without feathers,
and are also brown. The stuffed specimen of this
rare and curious little bird, from which our figure
and description were taken, was sent to the author
by Mr. Charles Fothergill, late of York : another is
now in the museum of P. J. Selby, Esq., of Twizell
House, Northumberland. There is also a very fine
specimen in the cabinet of the Hon. Mr. Liddell,
at Ravensworth Castle.

70 BRITISH BIRDS.

MANY of the birds which constitute this order
resemble each other in their plumage and habits ;
it includes, however, the Pie, Jay, Nutcracker,
Chough, Chatterer, Roller, Oriole, Starling, and
rose-coloured Starling ; birds which differ from
each other in these respects. At the head of these
we shall place the Raven, wTell known by its black
glossy plumage and croaking note. Birds of the
Crow kind are found in every part of the known
world, from Greenland to the Cape of Good Hope ;
and though their principal food is earth-worms,
they may be said to be of great benefit to mankind,
not only by devouring putrid flesh, but by destroy-
ing great numbers of noxious insects and reptiles.
In general they are restless and noisy, easily
tamed, and capable of being taught to articulate
words, and to obey the voice of their master. They
are sagacious, active, and thievish : they are
monogamous, and their mutual attachment is very
strong and constant. They build mostly in trees,
and form a kind of society, in which there appears
something like a regular government : a sentinel
watches for the general safety, and on the approach
of an enemy, or of a stranger, they act in concert,
and drive him away with repeated attacks. On
such occasions they are as bold as they are cunning
in avoiding the smallest appearance of real danger ;
of this the disappointed fowler has frequently occa-
sion to take notice, on seeing the birds fly away
before he can draw near enough to shoot them.

BRITISH BIRDS. 71

From this circumstance it has been said that they
discover their danger by the quickness of their
scent, which enables them to provide for their
safety in time ; but it may partly be ascribed to
the quickness of their sight, by which they discover
the motions of the sportsman. They moult only
once a year, and the young after the first autumnal
moult assume the adult livery. There is scarcely
any perceptible diiference between the sexes.

The external characters of the Crowr are well
known, and are chiefly as follow : — The bill is
strong, and has a slight curvature along the top of
the upper mandible ; the edges are thin, and sharp
or cultrated ; in many of the species there is a
small notch near the tip ; the nostrils are covered
with bristles ; tongue divided at the end ; three
toes forward, one behind, the middle toe connected
to the outer as far as the first joint.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE RAVEN.

GREAT CORBIE CROW.

(Corvus Corax, Linn. — Corbeau noir, Temm.)

Is the largest of this kind ; the length is above
two feet : breadth four. The female is somewhat
less. The bill is strong, and thick at the base,
measuring rather more than two inches and a half
in length, and covered with strong hairs and
bristles, which extend above half its length, cover-
ing the nostrils : the general colour of the upper
parts is a fine glossy black, reflecting a blue tint in
particular lights ; the under parts are duller, and
of a dusky hue.

BRITISH BIRDS. 73

The Raven is well known in all parts of the
world, and in times of ignorance and superstition
was regarded as a bird of ill omen, announcing, by
its croaking, impending calamities ; of such vast
importance was it considered, that the various
modulations of its voice were studied with the most
careful attention, and were made use of by artful
and designing men to mislead the ignorant and
credulous. It is a very long-lived bird, and is
supposed sometimes to live a century or more. It
is fond of carrion, which it scents at a great dis-
tance; it will destroy rabbits, young ducks, and
chickens : and has been known to seize on young
lambs, and even sheep, when sick or weak, and
pick out their eyes, while yet alive ; it will suck
the eggs of other birds ; it feeds also on earth-
worms, reptiles, and even shell-fish, when urged
by hunger. It may be rendered very tame and
familiar, and has often been taught to pronounce
a variety of words : it is a crafty bird, and will
frequently pick up things of value, such as rings,
money, &c., and carry them to its hiding place.
They build early in the spring, in trees and the
holes of rocks, laying five or six eggs, of a pale
bluish green, spotted with brown. The female sits
about twenty days, and is constantly attended by
the male, who not only provides her with abund-
ance of food, but relieves her in turn, and takes her
place in the nest. The natives of Greenland eat
the flesh, and make a covering for themselves with
the skins of these birds, which they wear next their
bodies.

VOL. I.

74

BRITISH BIRDS.

-^^^-^i^-''^^f,^p^^.^ f

THE CROW.

CARRION CROW, BLACK-NEBBED OR MIDDEN CROW.

(Corvus Corone, Linn. — Corncille noire, Temm.)

Is similar to the Raven in its habits, colour,
and external appearance. Length about eighteen
inches ; breadth three feet. The glossy feathers of
the upper plumage have a burnished look, except-
ing on their edges, which are dull, and form a
border to each. This species is more numerous
and as widely spread as the Raven ; they live
mostly in woods ; build their nests in trees ; and
lay five or six eggs, much like those of the Raven.
They feed on putrid flesh, and garbage of all sorts ;
likewise on eggs, shell-fish, worms, and insects.

BRITISH BIRDS.

75

These wary birds live in pairs, and are commonly
seen together flying at a great height, out of the
reach of the gun, while they are prowling over
the country in search of their food, which, with
penetrating eye, and acute scent, they discover afar
off. They pluck the feathers off the dead birds, toss
them aside, and then pick the flesh from the bones.
In winter they take shelter from the extremity of
the weather, in the hollows of rocky precipices.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE HOODED CROW.
(Corvus Cornix, Linn. — Corneillc Mantelcc, Temm.)

Is somewhat larger and more bulky than the
Rook, measuring* twenty-two inches in length.
The bill is black, and two inches long; the head,
fore part of the neck, wings, and tail black; the
back and all the under parts are of a pale ash ; the
legs black.

These birds arrive with the Woodcock, and on
their first coming frequent the shores of rivers.
They depart in the spring, but they do not all
leave us, as they have been seen during the sum-
mer months, in the northern quarters of our island,
where they frequent the mountainous parts of the
country, and breed in the pines. In the Zetland
islands they are the only species of Crow met with,

BRITISH BIRDS.

77

and breed in the rocky cliffs on the sea coast.
There, and in more northern parts of the world,
they continue the whole year, and subsist on sea-
worms, shell-fish, and other marine productions.
With us they are seen to mix with, and to feed
in the same manner as the Rook. During the
breeding season they live in pairs, lay six eggs,
seldom more than two or three of which are prolific.
They are much attached to their offspring.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE ROOK.

(Corvus frugilegusy Linn. — Corbeau Freux, Temm.)

Is about the size of the Carrion Crow, and in its
figure very much resembles it. The base of the
bill and nostrils, as far as the eyes, is covered with
a rough scabrous skin, in which it differs from all
the rest of the genus, caused, it is said, by thrusting
its bill into the earth in search of worms,* but as
the same appearance has been observed in such as
have been brought up tame and unaccustomed to

* It is curious to observe the effectual method they take to secure
their prey entire ; they first seize the worm by the head, and pull
it out as far as they can, so as not to break it, and then place their
foot upon this part, till they can safely extricate the whole from its
hole in the earth.

BRITISH BIRDS. 79

that mode of subsistence, we are inclined to con-
sider it an original peculiarity. Rooks are fond of
the erucae of the hedge-chafer, or chesnut brown
beetle,* for which they search with indefatigable
pains. They are often accused of feeding on the
corn just after it has been sown, and various con-
trivances have been made both to kill and frighten
them away; but, in our estimation, the advantages
derived from the destruction which they make
among grubs, larvae, worms, and noxious insects,
greatly overpay the injury done to the future har-
vest, by the small quantity of corn they may destroy
in searching after their favourite food. They are
gregarious, and fly in immense flocks morning and
evening to and from their roosting places in quest
of food. During the breeding time they are jealous
and watchful, and will rob each other when they
can. They live together in large societies, and
build close to each other in trees, frequently in
the midst of large and populous towns. These
rookeries, however, are often the scenes of bitter
contests : the new-comers are frequently driven
away by the old inhabitants, their half-built nests
torn in pieces, and the unfortunate couple forced

* These insects appear in hot weather, in formidable numbers,
disrobing the fields and trees of their verdure, blossoms, and fruit,
spreading desolation and destruction wherever they go. They ap-
peared in great numbers in Ireland during a hot summer, and
committed great ravages. In the year 1747, whole meadows and
corn fields were destroyed by them in Suffolk. The decrease of
rookeries in that county was thought to be the occasion of it. The
many rookeries with us is in some measure the reason why we
have so few of these destructive insects.

Wallis's History of Northumberland.

80 BRITISH BIRDS.

to begin their work anew in some more undisturbed
situation : of this we had a remarkable instance in
Newcastle. In the year 1783, a pair of Rooks, after
an unsuccessful attempt to establish themselves in
a rookery at no great distance from the Exchange,
were compelled to abandon the attempt. They took
refuge on the spire of that building, and although
constantly interrupted by other Rooks, built their
nest on the top of the vane, and brought forth their
young, undisturbed by the noise of the populace
below them ; the nest and its inhabitants turning
about with every change of the wind. They returned
and built their nest every year on the same place
till 1793, soon after which the spire was taken
down.

BRITISH BIRDS.

8 1

THE JACK-DAW.

(Corwis Mou edit la, Linn. — Corbcau Chottcas, Temm.)

THIS bird is considerably less than the Rook,
being only thirteen inches in length, and about
twenty-eight in breadth. The bill is black: eyes
white ; the hinder part of the head and neck hoary
grey ; the rest of the plumage is of a fine glossy
black above ; beneath dusky ; the legs are black.

The Daw is very common in England, and
remains with us the whole year : in other countries,
as France and various parts of Germany, it is
migratory. They frequent churches, old towers,
and ruins, in great flocks, where they build : the
female lays five or six eggs, paler than those of the
Crow, and smaller. They rarely build in trees : in

VOL. I. L

82 BRITISH BIRDS.

Hampshire they sometimes breed in rabbit holes.*
They are easily tamed, and may be taught to
pronounce several words : they will conceal part of
their food, and with it small pieces of money, or
toys. They feed on insects, grain, fruit, and small
pieces of flesh, and will also eat eggs.

There is a variety of the Daw found in Switzer-
land, having a white collar round its neck. In
Norway and even in this country, individuals have
been seen perfectly white.

* White's Natural History of Selbornc.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE MAGPIE.

PI A NET.

(Garruhts Picus, Temm. — Pic, Temm.)

LENGTH about eighteen inches. Bill strong and
black; eyes hazel; head, neck, back, breast, and tail
coverts deep black, forming a fine contrast with the
snowy whiteness of the under parts and scapulars ;
the neck feathers are long, as are also those on the
back, which extend towards the rump, leaving
only a small space of ash-grey, between them and
the tail coverts ; the plumage in general is glossed
with green, purple, and blue, which catch the eye
in different lights, and are particularly resplendent
on the tail, which is very long, and rather wedge-
shaped ; vent, under tail coverts, thighs, and legs
black: on the throat 'and part of the neck the
feathers are mixed with others, resembling strong
whitish hairs.

#4 BRITISH BIRDS.

This bird is every where common in England ;
and is likewise found in various parts of the Con-
tinent, but not so far north as Lapland, nor farther
south than Italy : it is met with in America, but not
commonly, and is migratory there. Like the Crow
it is omnivorous. They make their nest \vith great
art, leaving a hole in the side for admittance, and
covering the whole upper part with an interweav-
ing of thorny twigs, closely entangled, thereby
securing a retreat from the rude attacks of other
birds : the inside is furnished with a sort of mat-
tress, composed of wool and other soft materials,
on which the young repose ; the female lays seven
or eight eggs, pale green, spotted with dark grey.

The Magpie is crafty and familiar, may be easily
tamed, and taught to pronounce wrords, and even
short sentences, and will imitate any particular
noise. It is addicted, like other birds of its kind,
to stealing and hoarding. It is smaller than the
Jack-Daw, and its wings are shorter in proportion ;
accordingly its flight is not so lofty, nor so well
sustained : it never undertakes long journies, but
flies only from tree to tree, at moderate distances.

BRITISH BIRDS. 85

THE JAY.

(Garrulus glandarius, Temm. — Gcai glandworc,
Temm.)

THIS beautiful bird is not more than thirteen
inches in length. Its bill is black ; eyes white ;
the feathers on the forehead are white, streaked
with black, and form a tuft which it can erect and
depress at pleasure : the chin is white, and from
the corners of the bill on each side proceeds a
broad streak of black, which passes under the eye ;
the hinder part of the head, the neck, and back,
are of a cinnamon colour ; breast the same, but
lighter; lesser wing coverts bay; the belly and
vent almost white; the greater wing coverts are
elegantly barred with black, fine pale blue and
white alternately ; the greater quills are black,
with pale edges, the bases of some of them white ;

86 BRITISH BIRDS.

lesser quills black ; those next the body chesnut ;
the rump is white ; tail black, with pale brown
edges ; legs dirty pale brown.

The Jay is common in Great Britain, and is
found in various parts of Europe. It is dis-
tinguished as well for the beautiful arrangement of
its colours, as for its harsh, grating voice, and
restless disposition. Upon seeing the sportsman, it
gives, by its cries, the alarm of danger. It builds
in woods, and makes an artless nest, composed of
sticks, fibres, and slender twigs : lays five or six
eggs, ash-grey, mixed with green, and faintly
spotted with brown. The young ones continue
with their parents till the following spring, when
they separate to form new pairs.

They live on acorns, nuts, seeds, and fruits ;
will eat eggs, and sometimes destroy young birds
in the absence of the old ones. When domes-
ticated they may be rendered very familiar, and
will imitate a variety of w^ords and sounds. We
have heard one imitate the sound of a saw so
exactly, that though it was on a Sunday, \ve could
hardly be persuaded that there was not a carpenter
at work in the house. Another, at the approach of
cattle, had learned to hound a cur dog upon them,
by whistling and calling his name : at last, during
frost, the dog was excited to attack a cow big with
calf, when the animal fell on the ice, and was hurt ;
the Jay was complained of as a nuisance, and its
owner was obliged to destroy it. They sometimes
assemble in great numbers early in the spring, and
seem to hold a conference, probably for the pur-
pose of pairing and of fixing upon the districts they
are to occupy : to hear them is truly curious ; while

BRITISH BIRDS. 87

some gabble, shout, or whistle, others wTith a
raucous voice, seem to command attention : the
noise made on these occasions may be aptly com-
pared to that of a distant meeting- of disorderly
drunken persons.

88 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE NUTCRACKER.

(Nucifraga Caryocatactes^ Brisson. — Casse-Noix^
Temm.i

LENGTH thirteen inches. Bill two inches long,,
and black ; eyes hazel ; the crown of the head,,
hinder and fore part of the neck black ; the general
colour is dusky brown, covered with triangular
spots of white; wrings black; greater coverts tipped
with white ; the tail is black, deeply tipped with
white ; the rump and vent are also white ; legs
and claws black.

This bird has seldom been seen in England ; it
is common in Germany, Sweden, and Denmark,
and frequents the most mountainous parts of those
countries. It builds in holes of trees, and feeds on
nuts, acorns, and the kernels of the pine, also on
larvae, and on young birds and eggs. It is said
to pierce the bark of trees with its bill, like the
Woodpecker. The drawing was from a stuffed
specimen in the Wycliffe Museum.

BRITISH BIRDS.

89

THE CHOUGH.

RED LEGGED CROW.

(Pyrrhocorax Gracnlus, Temm. — Pyrrhocorax
coracias, Temm.)

THIS bird is about the weight of the Jack-Daw,
but of a taller and longer shape. The bill is long,
curved, sharp at the tip, and of a bright red ; the
iris is composed of two circles, the outer red, the
inner light blue ; the eye-lids are red ; the plumage
is altogether of a purplish violet black; legs red
like the bill ; claws large, hooked, and black. It
builds on high cliffs by the sea-side, lays four or
five eggs, spotted with ash, and chiefly frequents
the coasts of Devonshire and Cornwall, and like-
wise many parts of Wales : some are found on the

VOL. I. M

<}0 BRITISH BIRDS.

cliffs of Dover, and a few in Scotland. In a wild
state it feeds chiefly on insects and berries. It
is easily tamed, becomes extremely docile, and
is very fond of being" caressed, by those to
whom it shews an attachment, but its shrill
notes and mischievous qualities render it some-
times a troublesome inmate. It also becomes-
bold and pugnacious, and resents an affront with
violence and effect, by both bill and claw^s. It has-
a great aversion to strangers. Like the tame Jack-
Daw it is fond of glittering objects, and is equally
mischievous, active, and restless. It pries into and
examines every thing, and is perpetually in search
of insects. It soon learns to eat raw or dressed
meat, bread, and soft grain, but will not eat com-
mon worms.

"How fearful

And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low !

The crows and choughs that wing the midway air,.

Shew scarce so gross as beetles."

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE CHATTERER.

SII.K TAIL, OR WAXEN CHATTERER.

(Bombycilla Garrula, Temm. — Grand-jascnr,
Temm.)

THIS beautiful bird is about eight inches in
length. Its bill is black, and has a small notch at
the end ; the eyes, which are black and shining,
are placed in a band of black, passing from the
base of the bill to the hinder part of the head ;
throat black ; the feathers on the head long, form-
ing a crest ; all the upper parts of the body are of a
reddish ash ; breast and belly inclining to purple ;
the vent and tail coverts in some, nearly white :
in others, the former reddish chesnut, the latter
ash-grey; the tail feathers are black, tipped with
pale yellow ; the quills black, the third and fourth

q 2 BRITISH BIRDS.

tipped on their outer edges with white, the five
following with stra\v colour, but in some bright
yellow; the ' secondaries are tipped with white,
each being pointed with a flat horny substance of a
bright vermillion. These appendages vary in dif-
ferent subjects ; one in our possession had eight on
one wing and six on the other. The legs are short
and black. The female has only four or five of v
the second quills tipt with the red cartilaginous
appendages, and the young birds previous to their
first moult are without them altogether.

This rare bird visits our island only at uncertain
intervals. In the years 1790, 1791, and 1803,
several were taken in Northumberland and Dur-
ham, in the month of November, and many have
appeared in different years since that time. Their
summer residence is the northern parts of Europe,
within the arctic circle, whence they spread them-
selves into other countries, where they remain
during winter, and return in the spring to their
usual haunts. Their general food is berries and
insects : one Avhich we saw in a state of captivity
was fed chiefly with hawthorn and ivy berries, but
from the difficulty of providing it with these, and
perhaps other kinds of its natural food, it soon
died. Its breeding place is not well ascertained.
Only this species of the Chatterer is recognised as
a British bird ; the same may be said of the two
genera next in succession.

BRITISH BIRDS.

93

THE ROLLER.

(Coracias Garrula, Linn. — Rollicr vnlgairC) Temm.)

THIS rare bird is distinguished by a plumage of
exquisite beauty; it vies with the Parrot in an
assemblage of the finest shades of blue and green,
mixed with white, and heightened by the contrast
of graver colours, from which perhaps it has been
called the German Parrot, although in every other
respect it quite differs from that bird, and seems
rather to claim some affinity with the Crow or the
Shrike. It is about the size of the Jay, being
somewhat more than twelve inches in length. The
bill is black, beset with short bristles at the base ;
the eyes are surrounded with a ring of naked yel-

94 BRITISH BIRDS.

low skin, and behind them is a kind of wart ; the
head, neck, breast, and belly, are of a light pea
green ; the back and scapulars reddish brown ; the
ridge of the wings and upper coverts rich deep
blue ; the greater coverts pale green ; the quills
dusky, inclining to black, and mixed with deep
blue ; the rump blue ; tail somewhat forked ; the
lower parts of the feathers are dusky green, middle
parts pale blue, tips black ; the legs short and of a
dull yellow.

This is the only species found in Europe; it is
very common in some parts of Germany, but so
rare in this country as hardly to deserve the name
of a British bird. The author of the British Zoology
mentions two shot in England, and these probably
were stragglers.* The above drawing was from a
stuffed specimen in the Wycliffe Museum.

The Roller is wilder than the Jay, and frequents
the thickest woods; it builds chiefly on birch trees.
Buifon says it is a bird of passage, and migrates
in the months of May and September. In those
countries wThere it is common, it is said to fly in
large flocks in the autumn, and is frequently seen
in cultivated grounds, with Rooks and other birds,
searching for wrorms, small seeds, roots, &c. ; it
likewise feeds on berries, caterpillars, and insects,
and in cases of necessity, on young frogs, and even
carrion. The female differs very much from the

* One of these birds was shot in Bromley-hope, near Bywell, in
May, 1818; and another near Dalton, in Furness, on the 26th of
May, 1827. Were it not for the strange and wicked propensity in
mankind to kill, there is no saying what the number of strange
visitants to this country might amount to, of birds, admirable for
the beauty of their plumage and song.

BRITISH BIRDS.

95

male; her bill is thicker, and the head, neck, breast,
and belly, are of a chesnut colour, inclining to ash-
grey. The young ones do not attain their brilliant
colours till the second year.

This bird is remarkable for making a chattering
kind of noise, by which it has obtained the name
of Garrula.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GOLDEN ORIOLE.

GOLDEN THRUSH. — EDWARDS.

(Oriolus Galbula, Linn. — Loriot wilgatre, Temm.)
THE Golden Oriole is about the size of the Black-

3f

bird, but its bill is somewhat larger and stronger; it
is rather elevated and arched, and slightly notched
at the tip, and, as well as the irides, is reddish; a
patch or stroke of black covers the space between
the corners of the mouth and the eyes, and this
spot is thinly beset with a few hairs. The whole
plumage, excepting the wings and tail, is pure yel-
low; the two latter are black, but are marked as
follows : — The edge of the wing at the alula spuria,
is yellow, with a spot or patch of that colour below,
on the tips of the first series of the primary quills,
or second bastard wing. The first quill of the
primaries is remarkably short, the second shorter
than the third, and both the former are wholly
black; the third and fourth are slightly edged with

BRITISH BIRDS. 97

yellow on part of their outer webs ; all the rest
of the quills are more or less slightly tipped with
yellow, and glossed like satin on their under sides.
The tail consists of twelve feathers; the two mid-
dle ones black, slightly tipped with yellow; all the
rest more or less deeply marked with that colour,
from their tips upwards. The legs are short, and,
as well as the toes, black, with the undersides wide
or spread out, and having rather a coarse appear-
ance; claws hooked and strong. The plumage of
the female differs from that of the male. Where
he is yellow, she is of a dull olive green ; her wing
coverts, secondary quills, and upper parts of the
tail feathers, partake of the same colour, but are
much darker ; the quills and lower ends of the tail
feathers are dusky, and, as well as the former, are
all tipped, less or more, with pale dull yellow.
The skin of the male was presented to this work by
Gr. T. Fox, Esq., the bird was shot as it was
approaching our shore in the English Channel.*
A pair, male and female, were also lent for the
same purpose, by the Honourable Mr. Liddell, and
from these and the foregoing, our description and
figure were taken. These birds are rare visitants
in this country; but they are often met with in the
southern parts of Europe in the summer season.
This species, as well as some others of the tribe,
seem to partake of a middle nature between the
Orioles and Thrushes, and Buffon has placed them
as a connecting link before the latter.

* We have also seen a female, which was taken in the latter part
of the spring, much spent, in a garden at Tynemouth.

VOL. I. N

98 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE STARLING.*

STARE.

(Sturnus vulgar is ) Linn. — E tour n can vulgairc,
Temm.)

LENGTH somewhat less than nine inches. The
is straight, sharp-pointed, and of a yellowish
brown; in old birds deep yellow; the nostrils are
surrounded by a prominent rim ; the eyes are
brown : the whole plumage dark, glossed with

* From the striking similarity, both in form and manners, ob-
servable in the Starling, and those more immediately preceding, we
had no scruple, in former editions of this work, in removing it from
the usual place in the old passerine order, to the Pies, as it evidently
forms a connecting link between them, and in a variety of points
seems equally allied to both.

BRITISH BIRDS. 99

green, blue, purple, and copper, but each feather
is marked at the end with a pale yellow spot; the
wing" coverts are edged with yellowish brown; the
quill and tail feathers dusky, wTith light edges :
the legs are reddish brown.

Few birds are more generally known than the
Starling, it being an inhabitant of almost every
climate ; and as it is a familiar bird, and easily
trained in a state of captivity, its habits have been
more frequently observed than those of most other
birds. They make an artless nest in the hollows of
trees, rocks, or old walls, and sometimes in cliffs
overhanging the sea ; lay four or five eggs, of a
pale greenish ash : the young are dusky brown till
the first moult. In the autumn they fly in vast
flocks, and may be known at a great distance by
their whirling mode of flight, which Buffon com-
pares to a sort of vortex, in which the collective
body performs an uniform circular revolution, and
at the same time continues to make a progressive
advance. The evening is the time when the Star-
lings assemble in the greatest numbers, and, it is
said, betake themselves to the fens and marshes,
where they roost among the reeds : they chatter
much in the evening and morning, both when they
assemble and disperse. So attached are they to
society, that they not only join those of their own
species, but also birds of a different kind, and
are frequently seen in company with Redwings,
Fieldfares, and even with Crows, Jack-Daws, and
Pigeons. Their principal food consists of worms,
snails, and caterpillars ; they are likewise accused
of sucking the eggs of other birds ; they eat various
kinds of grain, seeds, and berries, and are said to

IOO

BRITISH BIRDS.

be particularly fond of cherries. In a confined
state they eat small pieces of raw flesh, bread
soaked in water, &c., are very docile, and may
easily be taught to repeat short phrases, or whistle
tunes with great exactness, and are capable of
imitating the notes of other birds.

BRITISH BIRDS.

101

THE YOUNG STARLING.

IN a former edition this bird was described as
the Brown Starling, or Solitary Thrush, since
then the author has clearly ascertained it to be
the young of the common Starling before it
had attained its adult plumage. Its upper parts
are deepish brown : the under parts dull brown,
variously mottled and streaked with white.

102

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE ROSE-COLOURED STARLING.
(Pastor Rosens , Temm. — Martin rosclin, Temm.)

Is about the size of the Starling. The bill is
blushed with red, and slightly notched at the tip,
whence, to the corners of the mouth, it is nearly an
inch and a quarter long; the irides are dark hazel.
Length about nine inches ; weight rather more
than two ounces and a half. The feathers on the
head are long forming a silky looking crest, and
those on the fore part of the neck partake of the
same appearance. The head, crest, neck, wings,
tail, and upper coverts, are black, glossed with
shades of blue, purple, and green : the back, rump,
breast, and belly, pale rose red. The tail consists
of twelve feathers : the middle ones somewhat
shorter than those on the outsides ; its under

BRITISH BIRDS. 103

coverts are black, very slightly edged and tipped
with white. The legs, which are strong, are red-
dish; claws pale brown.* This beautiful bird is a
rare visitant in this country. t It is found in
various parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and in
most places is migratory. It seems to prefer the
warmer climates. It is said to be fond of locusts,
and frequents the places where those destructive
insects abound, on which account it is held sacred
by the inhabitants.

* The plumage of the yearlings, according to Temminck, shows
none of the colours of the old birds, the upper parts being of a
uniform isabelle brown, the wings and tail brown, throat and middle
of the belly white; the rest of the under parts greyish brown, and
no appearance of crest on the head.

t A pair of them were shot in the summer of 1817, in a tanyard,
in Newcastle; and another male and a young bird were shot out of a
flock, at North Sunderland, in the month of July, 1817. We were
favoured by the Hon. Mr. Liddell, with the specimen from which the
foregoing figure was drawn.

104 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE birds of this group are distinguished by
their lively and active dispositions, their beautiful
plumage, and delightful melody. Of this order
consist those numerous families, which, universally
diffused throughout every part of the known world,
people the woods, the fields, and the margins of
rivers, and every where enliven, diversify, and
adorn the face of nature. These are not less
conspicuous for their usefulness, than for their
numbers and variety : they are of infinite advantage
in the economy of nature, in destroying myriads of
noxious insects, which wrould otherwise teem in
every part of the animal and vegetable systems,
and would pervade and choke up all the avenues of
life and health.

The characters of this order, which are as various
as their habits and dispositions, will be best seen
in the description of each particular species. The
greater number of them are remarkable for the
softness and delicacy of their bills; several of the
species feed occasionally on berries, but their food
consists principally of small worms, insects, the
larvae and eggs of insects, which they find de-
posited in immense profusion on the leaves and
bark of trees, in chinks and crevices of stones, and

* This order consists of the following British genera, viz., Lanius,
Muscicapa, Turdus, Cinclus, Sylvia, Saxicola, Accentor, Motacillar
Anthus.

BRITISH BIRDS. 105

even in small masses on the bare ground, so that
there is hardly a portion of matter that does not
contain a plentiful supply of food for this diligent
race of beings.

''Full nature swarms with life;

" The flowery leaf

" Wants not its soft inhabitants. Secure

" Within its winding citadel, the stone

" Holds multitudes. But chief the forest boughs

" That dance unnumber'd to the playful breeze,

" The downy orchard, and the melting pulp

" Of mellow fruit, the nameless nations feed

" Of evanescent insects."

VOL. I.

106 BRITISH BIRDS.

tt)e

THIS family of birds, though they are small, and
of a delicate form, yet their courage, their appetite
for blood, and their hooked bill, would seem to
entitle them to be ranked with the boldest and
the most sanguinary of the rapacious tribe. This
genus has been variously placed in the systems of
naturalists; it has been classed with the Falcons,
with the Pies, and it has been ranked, especially
by the later continental writers, with the harmless
and inoffensive tribes of the Passerine kind, to
which, indeed, in outward appearance at least, it
bears some resemblance. Conformably, however,
with what seemed to be the most natural arrange-
ment, it was, in former editions of this work, placed
in the rear of those birds which live by rapine and
plunder; and, like most of the connecting links in
the great chain of nature, it will be found to possess
somewhat of a middle quality, partaking of those
which are placed on each side of it, and making
thereby an easy transition from the one to the
other.

The Shrike genus is distinguished by the follow-
ing characteristics : the bill is strong, straight at
the base, and hooked or bent towards the end ;
the upper mandible is notched near the tip,
and the base is furnished with bristles; it has no
cere; the tongue is divided at the end; the outer
toe is connected to the middle one as far as the
first joint. To these exterior marks may be added,

BRITISH BIRDS. 107

that it possesses the most undaunted courage,
and will attack birds much larger and stronger
than itself, such as the Crow, the Magpie, and
most of the smaller kinds of Hawks : if any of these
should fly near the place of its retreat, the Shrike
darts upon the invader with loud cries, and drives
it from the nest. The parent birds will sometimes
join on such occasions ; and there are few birds
that will venture to abide the contest. Shrikes
will chase all the small birds upon the wing, and
sometimes will attack Partridges, and even young
Hares. Thrushes, Blackbirds, and such like, are
their common prey ; they fix on them with their
talons, split the skull with their bill, and feed on
them at leisure.

There are three kinds found in this kingdom, of
which the following is the largest.

io8

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE ASH-COLOURED SHRIKE.

GREATER BUTCHER BIRD.

(Lanius Exaibitor, Linn. — Pic-gricchc grisc, Temm.)

THE length about ten inches. Its bill is black,
and furnished with bristles at the base: the upper
parts of its plumage pale blue ash ; under parts
white ; a black stripe passes through each eye ; the
greater quills are black, with a large white spot at
the base, forming a bar of that colour across the
wing; the lesser quills are white at the tips; the
scapulars white; the two middle feathers of the
tail black ; the next on each side are white at
the ends, gradually increasing to the outermost,
which are nearly all white ; the whole, when the
tail is spread, forms a large oval spot of black ;
the legs are black. The female differs little from
the male; she lays six eggs, of a dull olive green,
spotted at the end with black.

BRITISH BIRDS. IOQ

This bird is rarely found in the cultivated parts
of the country, preferring mountainous wilds,
among furze and thorny thickets. Buffon says it is
common in France, where it continues all the year:
it is met with likewise in Russia, and various parts
of Europe; it preys on small birds, which it seizes
by the throat, and after strangling, fixes them on a
sharp thorn, and tears them in pieces with its bill.
When kept in a cage, it sticks its food against the
wires before it will eat it. It is said to imitate the
notes of the smaller singing birds, thereby drawing
them nearer its haunts, in order more securely to
seize them.

The foregoing figure and description were taken
from a very fine specimen, for which this work is
indebted to the late Major H. F. Gibson, of the 4th
dragoons.

110 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE WOODCHAT.
(Lanius rufus, Linn. — Pic-gricclic ronssc, Temm.)

THE bill is dark, tinged with blue, notched at the
tip, and beset with bristles at the base, where, a
small spot of dirty white partly extends from the
nostrils to the eyes, which are hazel; the fore part
of the head, over the eyes and auriculars, and a
stripe falling down on the sides of the neck and
joining the shoulder feathers, are black ; the lesser
coverts nearly the same : a patch of white is formed
at the base of the primaries : the secondaries are
tipped with dull white; the tail dusky; the coverts
and rump the same, but mixed with \vhite ; the first
three outside feathers are white at the base and
tips, and the outside one, which is shorter than the
rest, is white on the outer web. The throat,- fore
part of the neck, and the breast, are dingy white,
the belly and vent the same, but partaking a little
of dull yellow; the hinder part of the head and

BRITISH BIRDS. I I I

neck is bright reddish chesnut ; the scapulars are
white; the back dark ash : legs dark; claws curved
and short.

There has been much difference of opinion, since
the time of Edwards, respecting the Woodchat.
Buffon supposes it a variety of the Red-backed
Shrike. Pennant, Latham, and Montagu give it a
place as a distinct species; so does Temminck, but
this country is not mentioned by him as one of its
habitats. We give the figure, therefore, rather with
the view of assisting naturalists, than of offering
any decided opinion of our own.

The figure of this bird was taken from a fine
specimen in the private collection of Mr. Lead-
beater, of the British Museum.

I 12

.BRITISH BIRDS.

THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE.

FLUSHER, OR LESSER BUTCHER BIRD.

(Lanins Collurio, Linn. — Pic-gricchc ccorchcur,
Temm.)

THIS bird is seven inches and- three-quarters
long, breadth twelve inches and a quarter. The
bill is black; irides hazel; the head and lower part
of the back light grey; the upper part of the back
and coverts of the wings are bright rusty red; the
breast, belly, and sides of a fine pale rose or bloom
colour; throat white; a stroke of black passes from
the bill through each eye; the two middle feathers
of the tail are black, the others white at the base ;
the quills are brown ; the legs black.

The manners of this species are similar to those
of the ash-coloured Shrike : it frequently preys on
young birds, which it takes in the nest; it likewise

BRITISH BIRDS.

feeds on grasshoppers, beetles, and other insects.
It also is said to imitate the notes of other birds,
in order the more surely to decoy them. When
sitting on the nest, the female soon discovers her-
self at the approach of any person, by her loud and
violent outcries. She builds in hedges or low
bushes, and lays six eggs, marked with a reddish
brown circle, formed of spots, toward the larger
end.

VOL I.

U4 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE FEMALE RED-BACKED SHRIKE.

THE above was drawn from a Shrike presented
by Mr. Wm. Proctor, of Durham. It was shot by
him on the loth of September, 1824. The length
is seven inches ; breadth eleven ; weight rather
exceeding an ounce. The bill is dark brown,
tinged with lead colour, distinctly, notched, and
beset with bristles at the base ; irides dark hazel ;
brow dull pale brown ; the head and upper parts
of the body reddish or rusty brown, each feather
fringed with a lighter colour, and barred in the
middle with black curved or waved lines; the
auriculars are deeper brown, and spotted or barred
with black; the lower part of the back and rump
are of a paler shade than the back; the tail coverts
are rusty red; the tail is nearly the same colour,
the two middle feathers plain, the two outer ones
edged with dull white; the rest have a black spot
near the ends, and are tipped with white; the

BRITISH BIRDS. 115

greater coverts and secondaries are deep brown,
black in the middle, with pale edges, and tips
white; the primaries are much the same, but of a
darker cast ; the under parts are sullied white,
delicately barred on the breast and sides with dark
brown ; the thighs mottled the same ; the legs dark
lead blue. The gizzard was full of the remains of
insects, such as the legs of eanvigs and beetles.

Il6 BRITISH BIRDS.

OF the birds which constitute this division, we
find only two species that inhabit this island, and
these are not numerous. The useful instincts and
propensities of this little active race are confined
chiefly to countries under the more immediate
influence of the sun, where they are of infinite use
in destroying those numerous swarms of noxious
insects, engendered by heat and moisture, which
are continually upon the wing. These, though
weak and contemptible when individually con-
sidered, are formidable by their numbers, devour-
ing the whole produce of vegetation, and carrying
in their train the accumulated ills of famine and
pestilence. Thus, to use the words of an eminent
naturalist,* "we see, that all nature is balanced,
and the circle of generation and destruction
is perpetual ! The philosopher contemplates with
melancholy this seemingly cruel system, and strives
in vain to reconcile it with his ideas of benevolence ;
but he is forcibly struck with the nice adjustment
of the various parts, their mutual connection and
subordination, and the unity of plan which per-
vades the whole.

* Buff on.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SPOTTED FLYCATCHER.

BEAM HIRD.

(Muscicapa Grisola, Einn. — Gobc-inoncJic gris,
Temm.)

LENGTH nearly five inches and three-quarters ;
bill broad, flatted, and wide at the base, where
it is beset with a few short bristles; a ridge runs
along the upper mandible ; both that and the
under one are dusky at the tips, the latter is yel-
lowish towards the base ; inside of the mouth
yellow: all the upper plumage is of a mouse colour,
darkest on the wings and tail; head and neck more
or less obscurely spotted with dark brown ; the
wing coverts, secondary quills, and scapulars, also
dark brown edged with dingy white; under parts
very pale ash, or lint coloured white, tinged with
rufous on the sides and breast, which latter is
marked with streaks of brown: the legs are short,
and darkish.

Il8 BRITISH BIRDS.

The Flycatcher, of all our summer birds, is the
most mute. It visits this island in the spring, and
disappears in September. The female builds her
nest commonly in gardens, on any projecting stone
in a wall, or on the end of a beam, screened by the
leaves of a vine, sweet-briar, or woodbine, and
sometimes close to the post of a door, where people
are going in and out all day long. The nest is
rather carelessly made; it is composed chiefly of
moss and dried grass, mixed in the inside with
some wool, and a few hairs. She lays four or five
eggs, of a dull white, closely spotted and blotched
with rusty red. This bird feeds on insects, for
which it sits watching on a branch or on a post,
suddenly dropping down upon them, and catching
them on the wing, and immediately rising, returns
again to its station to wait for more. After the
young have quitted the nest, the parent birds fol-
low them from tree to tree, and watch them with
the most sedulous attention. They feed them with
the flies which flutter among the boughs beneath;
or pursuing their insect prey, with a quick irre-
gular kind of flight, like that of a butterfly, to a
greater distance, they immediately return as before
described.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE PIED FLYCATCHER.

GOLDFINCH.

(Muscicapa Luctuoso, Temm. — Gobc-mouche bec-figue,
Temm.)

LENGTH nearly five inches. Bill black; eyes
hazel; forehead white; the top of the head, the
back, and the tail black; the rump is dashed with
ash ; wing coverts dusky, greater coverts tipped
with white ; the exterior sides of the secondary
quills are \vhite ; as are also the outer feathers of
the tail; all the under parts, from the bill to the
tail, are white ; legs black. The female is much
smaller, but longer tailed than the male ; she is
brown where he is black; she likewise wants the
white spot on the forehead.

This bird is no where common; it is said to be
most plentiful in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Derby-
shire. Since the cut was finished, which was done
from a drawing presented to this work, we have
been favoured with a pair of these birds, shot at

120 BRITISH BIRDS.

Benton, in Northumberland : we suppose them to
be male and female, as one of them wanted the
white spot on the forehead ; in other respects it was
similar to the male; the upper parts in both were
black, obscurely mixed with brown; the quill fea-
thers dark reddish brown : tail dark brown, the
exterior edge of the outer feathers white; legs
black.

The nest of this bird, with its young, was found
in the hole of a tree, in Axwell Park, June 18,
1801: the parent birds, but particularly the male,
were extremely expert in catching the small flies
with which they incessantly feed their young. The
female always jerked up her tail after she had
performed that office.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE PIED FLYCATCHER.

THE figure here given was taken from a bird
shot in the middle of May, by the late Rev. Ralph
Brocklebank, of Corbridge-on-Tyne, who said it is
only to be seen in the spring and summer months.
A distinct ridge runs along the upper mandible;
and in plumage it agrees with the foregoing de-
scription of the birds sent from Benton, but was of
a lesser size, and except a ridge on the bill, it
resembled a Titmouse.

VOL. I.

122

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE MISSEL THRUSH.

MISSEL BIRD OR SHRITE.

(Turd us vtsctvorus, Linn. — j\Icrle dnunc^ Temm.)

LENGTH eleven inches and three-quarters, breadth
above eighteen. The bill is dusky; the base of the
lower mandible yellow; the eyes hazel; the head,
back, and lesser coverts of the wings olive brown,
the latter tipped Avith dull brownish white ; the
lower part of the back and rump tinged with yel-
lowish brown and ash ; the cheeks are yellowish
white, spotted with brown; the breast and belly
pale yellow, marked with larger spots of very dark
brown ; quills brown, with pale edges ; tail feathers
the same; the three outermost tipped with white;
the legs are yellow; claws black; builds mostly on
low trees, or on high bushes, and lays four or five

BRITISH BIRDS. 123

eggs of a greenish blue, marked with reddish spots.
The nest is made of moss, leaves, &c., lined with
dry grass, and strengthened on the outside with
small twigs. This species begins to sing early,
often on the turn of the year in blowing showery
weather, whence, in some places it is called the
Stormcock. Its note of anger is very loud and
harsh, between a chatter and shriek, which accounts
for some of its names. It feeds on various kinds
of berries, particularly those of the mountain ash,
and the mistletoe. It was formerly believed that
the latter plant was only propagated by the seed
Avhich passed the digestive organs of this bird,
whence arose the proverb " T'urdus uialum sibi
cdcnf ;" it likewise feeds on caterpillars and insects,
with which it also feeds its young. This bird is
found in various parts of Europe, and is said to
be migratory in some places, but continues in
England the whole year, and frequently has two
broods.

124

BKLTISH BIRDS.

THE FIELDFARE.
(Turdiis pilafSy Linn. — Merle litornc, Temm.)

THIS is somewhat less than the Missel Thrush;
length ten inches. The bill is yellow; each corner
of the mouth is furnished with a few black bristly
hairs ; eyes light brown ; the top of the head,
hinder part of the neck, the lower part of the back
and the rump are light bluish ash, the former
spotted with black; the back and coverts of the
wings are deep hoary brown; the throat and breast
yellow, regularly spotted with black; the belly and
thighs yellowish white ; tail brown, inclining to
black; the legs dusky yellowish brown; in young
birds yellow.

We have seen a variety of this bird, of which the
head and neck were yellowish white; the rest of
the body nearly of the same colour, mixed with a

BRITISH BIRDS. 125

few brown feathers; the spots on the breast were
faint and indistinct ; the quill feathers perfectly
white, except one or two on each side, which were
broAvn; the tail was marked in a similar manner.

The Fieldfare is only a visitant in this island,
making its appearance about the beginning of
October, in order to avoid the rigorous winters of
the north, whence it sometimes comes in great
flocks, according to the severity of the season, and
leaves us about the latter end of February or
the beginning of March, and retires to Russia,
Sweden, Norway, and as far as Siberia and Kamt-
schatka. Buffon observes that they do not arrive
in France till the beginning of December, that they
assemble in flocks of two or three thousand, and
feed on haws and other berries; they likewise eat
worms of various kinds.

Fieldfares seem of a more sociable disposition
than the Throstles or the Missels: they are some-
times seen singly, but in general form very
numerous flocks, and fly in a body; and though
in open weather they often spread themselves
through the fields in search of food, they seldom
lose sight of each other, but, when alarmed, fly off,
and collect together upon the same tree.

126

BRITISH B1RUS.

THE THROSTLE.

THRUSH, GREY BIRD, OR MAVIS.

(Turdtts MusicuS) Linn. — Merle grive) Temm.)

THIS is larger than the Redwing, but much less
than the Missel, to which it bears a strong resem-
blance both in form and colours. A small notch is
observable at the end of the bill, which belongs to
this and every bird of the Thrush kind ; throat
white, and the spots on the breast more regularly
formed than those of the Missel Thrush, and coni-
cal; inside of the wings and mouth yellow, as are
also the legs; claws strong and black.

The Throstle is distinguished among our singing
birds by the clearness and fullness of its note; it
charms us not only with the sweetness, but the
variety of its song, which it begins early in the

BRITISH BIRDS. 127

spring, and continues during part of the summer.
This bold and pleasing songster, from his high
station, seems to command the concert of the
grove, whilst in the beautiful language of the poet,

"The Jay, the Rook, the Daw,

''And each harsh pipe (discordant heard alone)

" Aid the full concert, while the Stock-Dove breathes

"A melancholy murmur through the whole."

The female builds her nest generally in bushes;
it is composed of dried grass, with a little earth or
clay intermixed, and lined with rotten wood; she
lays five or six eggs, of a pale blue colour, marked
with dusky spots.

Although this species is not considered with us
as migratory, it has, nevertheless, been observed in
some places in great numbers during the spring and
summer, where not one was to be seen in the winter,
which has induced an opinion that they either shift
their quarters entirely, or take shelter in the more
retired parts of the woods. The Throstle is migra-
tory in France: Buffon says that it appears in
Burgundy about the end of September, before the
Redwing and Fieldfare, and that it feeds upon the
ripe grapes, and sometimes does much damage to
the vineyards. The females of all the Thrush kind
are very similar to the males, and differ chiefly in a
less degree of brilliancy in the colours.

128 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE REDWING.

WIND THRUSH.

(Turdus IliacuSy Linn. — Merle maums, Temm.)

Is about eight inches in length. Bill dark brown ;
eyes deep hazel ; plumage in general similar to that
of the Thrush, ?but a white streak over the eye dis-
tinguishes it from that bird ; belly not quite so much
spotted; sides of the body and the feathers under
the wings tinged with red, which is its peculiar
characteristic; whence also its name.

These birds make their appearance a few days
before the Fieldfare,* and are generally seen with
them after their arrival; they frequent the same

* A Redwing was taken up November yth, 1785, at six o'clock in
the morning, which, on its approach to land, had flown against the
light-house at Tynemouth, and was so stunned that it fell to the
ground and died soon after ; the light most probably had attracted its
attention.

BRITISH BIRDS, 129

places, eat the same food, and are very similar to
them, in manners. Like the Fieldfare, they leave
us in the spring, for which reason their song is
almost unknown to us, but it is said to be very
pleasing. In Sweden they perch on high trees in
the forests, and have a fine note in the breeding
season. The female builds her nest in low bushes
or hedges, and lays six eggs, of a greenish blue
colour, spotted with black.*

* This atrd the former are delicate eating: the Romans held them
in such estimation that they kept thousands of them together in
aviaries, and fed them ^with a sort of paste made of bruised figs
and flour, and various other kinds of food, to improve the delicacy
and flavour of their flesh : these aviaries were so contrived as to
admit light barely sufficient to direct them to their food; every object
which might tend to remind them of their former liberty was care-
fully kept out of sight, such as the fields, the woods, the birds, or
whatever might disturb the repose necessary to their improvement.
Under this management these birds fattened, to the great profit
of their proprietors, who sold them to the Roman epicures for three
denarii, or about two shillings sterling each.

VOL. I.'

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE RING OUZEL.
(Turdus torquatttSy Linn. — Merle a plastron, Tcrnvi.]

THIS bird very much resembles the Blackbird;
its general colour is dull black; each feather mar-
gined with ash-grey: the bill is dusky; corners of
the mouth and inside yellow ; eyes hazel ; the
breast is distinguished by a crescent of pure
white, which almost surrounds the neck, and from
which it derives its name : the legs are dusky
brown. The female differs in having the crescent
on the breast much less conspicuous, and, in
some birds, wholly wanting, which has caused
some authors to consider it as a different species,
under the name of the Rock Ouzel.
'* Ring Ouzels are found in various parts of this
kingdom, chiefly in the wilder and more moun-
tainous districts; with this exception, their habits
are similar to those of the Blackbird; the female

BRITISH BIRDS. [ ,} I

builds her nest in the same manner, and in similar
situations, and lays four or five eggs of the same
colour: they feed on insects and berries of various
kinds, are fond of grapes, and Buffon observes,
during the season of vintage are generally fat, and
at that time are esteemed delicious eating. The
same author says, that in France they are migra-
tory. In some parts of this kingdom they have
been observed to change places, particularly in
Hampshire, where they are known generally to
stay not more than a fortnight at one time. The
foregoing representation was taken from one killed
near Bedlington, "Northumberland.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE BLACKBIRD.

BLACK Ol'ZKT..

(Turdus Merula, Linn. — Merle iwir, Temm.)

THE length of the Blackbird is generally about
ten inches. Its plumage is altogether black; the
bill, inside of the mouth, and edges of the eye-lids
are yellow, as are also the soles of the feet; legs
dirty yellow. The female is mostly deep brown,
inclining to rust colour on the breast and belly;
bill dusky, legs brown; her song is also very dif-
ferent, so that she has sometimes been mistaken
for a bird of a different species.

The males, during the first year, resemble the
females so much as not easily to be distinguished
from them; but after that, they assume the yellow
bill, and other distinguishing marks of their sex.
The Blackbird is a solitary bird, frequenting woods

BRITISH BIRDS.

133

and thickets, chiefly evergreens, especially where
there are perennial springs, which together afford
it both shelter and subsistence. They feed on ber-
ries, fruits, insects, and worms ; but never fly rn
flocks like Thrushes ; they pair early, and begin to
warble nearly as soon as any other songsters of the
grove. They build in bushes or low trees, and lay
four or five eggs, of a bluish green, marked irregu-
larly with dusky spots. The young birds are easily
tamed, and may be taught to whistle a variety of
tunes. They are restless, and timorous birds, easily
alarmed, and difficult of access ; but they readily
suffer themselves to be caught with bird-lime,
nooses, and all sorts of snares. They are never
kept in aviaries, but generally in cages apart;
for, when shut up with other birds, they pursue
and harass their companions unceasingly. In
some counties of England this bird is called
simply the Ouzel.

134

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE WATER OUZEL.

WATER CROW, DIPPER, OR WATER PIOT.

(Cinchis AqiMtiaiSy Bechst. — Cine le ploiigcur,
Ternm.)

THE length of the Water Ouzel is about seven
inches and a half from the point of the beak to the
end of its tail, which is very short, and gives the
bird a thick and stumpy appearance. The mouth
is wide; the bill black, about three-quarters of an
inch long : the upper mandible rather hollow in the
middle, and bent a little downwards at the point:
orbits white, irides hazel. The upper parts of the
head and of the neck are deepish rusty brown f the
back, rump, scapulars, wing coverts, belly, vent,
and tail, are black; but each feather on these parts
is distinctly edged with hoary grey. The breast,
fore part of the neck and throat are of a snowy
white; and the back and white on the belly and

BRITISH BIRDS. 135

breast are separated by a rusty brown. The legs
and toes are short and strong, the scales pale blue,
the hinder part and joints brown; the claws are
curved, and the toes are distinctly parted, without
any membrane between to join them.

This solitary species has hitherto held a place in
this wrork amongst the water birds, although it has
been classed in most systems with the Ouzels and
Thrushes, to which it bears little or no affinity.
Its manners and habits are also different from
those birds, and are peculiar to itself. It is chiefly
found in the high and mountainous parts of the
country, and always by the sides of brooks and
rocky rivers, but particularly where they fall in
cascades, or run with great rapidity among stones
and fragments of broken rocks; there it may be
seen perched on the top of a stone in the midst of
a torrent, in a continual dipping motion, or short
courtesy often repeated, whilst watching for its
food, which consists of small fishes and insects.
The feathers, like those of the Duck tribe, are
impervious to water, whereby it is enabled to con-
tinue a long time in that fluid without sustaining
injury. But the most singular trait in its character
is that of its possessing the power of walking, in
quest of its prey, on the pebbly bottom of a river,
and with the same ease as on dry land.* The
female makes her nest in the banks of a rivulet,

* Being, from its specific gravity, much lighter than water, the
circumstance of its walking so easily at the bottom of the water is
doubted. Montagu admits his having seen it, but says, it appeared
to tumble about in a very extraordinary manner, with its head down-
wards, as if pecking something; and, at the same time, using great
•exertion both with its wings and legs.

I36

BRITISH BIRDS.

sometimes behind a water-fall when it overshoots
a steep rock, and thus leaves a vacuum : it is
nearly of the same form as that of a common
Wren; she lays four or five eggs, which are white,,
lightly blushed with red.

BRITISH BIRDS. 137

THIS very numerous family is composed of a
great variety of kinds, differing" in size from the
Nightingale to the Wren, and not a little in their
habits and manners. They are widely dispersed
over most parts of the known world ; some of them
remain with us during the whole year; others are
migratory, and visit us annually in great num-
bers, forming a very considerable portion of those
numerous tribes of singing birds, with which this
island so plentifully abounds. Some are dis-
tinguished by their flight, which they perform by
jerks, and in an undulating manner; others by
the whirring motion of their wings. The head in
general is small ; the bill is weak and slender,
and beset with bristles at the base ; the nostrils
are small, and somewhat depressed : and the
outer toe is joined to the middle one by a small
membrane.

VOL. i.

138 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GRASSHOPPER WARBLER.

— MONTAGU I
GRASSHOPPER LARK PENNANT.

(Sylvia Lociistclla, Lath. — Bcc-Jin locustelle, Temm.)

THIS bird is between five and six inches in length,
and of a slender form. The tail is cuniform and
rather long, as well as the legs; the wings short,
reaching very little beyond the base of the tail. The
irides are hazel; upper mandible dusky, the under
one yellowish white towards the base: a brown
streak passes from the bill to the eye, and a white
one above it; the crown of the head, hinder part of
the neck, shoulders, and upper part of the back are
brown, with 'a slight tinge of olive, the middle of
each feather dusky; the wings are nearly of the
same colour, the feathers being dark in the middle,
and edged with pale brown ; the lower part of the
back, upper tail coverts, and tail, are pale brown;

BRITISH BIRDS. 139

the throat and fore part of the neek are yellowish
white, terminated by a few darkish spots on the
upper part of the breast ; the sides of the neck, and
all the under parts are pale dingy yellow; legs
nearly the same.

This bird is seldom seen, and is best known by
the lengthened grinding, sibilous noise which it
makes about the dusk of a still summer's evening.
It artfully skulks among old furze bushes, or in the
thickest brakes and hedges, from which it will not
easily be forced away. We were favoured with the
drawing from which our figure is taken, by Mr. R.
R. Wingate, and also with a sight of its nest, which
is composed of coarse dried grass, and about three
inches in thickness, but very shallow; it contained
live beautiful white eggs, closely freckled with car-
nation spots. Mr. W. gives the following account
of the cunning manner in which it places its nest.
Having long wished to get the eggs, he, in June,
1815, succeeded in eyeing the bird to the distant
passage on the {op °f a whin bush, by which it
entered and left its nest. This Avas built at the
bottom of a deep narrow furrow or ditch, over-
hung by the prickly branches of the whin, and
grown over with thick coarse grass, matted to-
gether year after year, to the height of about two
feet; all which he was obliged to take away piece-
meal, before he succeeded in gaining the prize.

140 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SEDGE WARBLER.

OR SEDGK UIKI).

(Sylvia Phragniih's, Bechst. — J3cc-fi-n pliraguiitc,
Temm.)

LENGTH five inches. Bill dusky; eyes hazel;
crown of the head and back brown, with dusky
streaks ; rump tawny ; cheeks brown ; over each
eye a light streak ; wing coverts dusky, edged
with pale brown, as are the quills and tail; throat,
breast, and belly are white, the latter tinged with
yellow; thighs yellow; legs dusky; the hinder claws
much bent.

It frequents the sides of rivers and boggy places,
where reeds and sedges grow, and builds there ;
the nest is made of dried grass, and tender fibres
of plants, lined with hair, and usually contains five
eggs of a dirty wrhite, mottled and streaked with
brown: it sings night and day, during the breed-
ing time, imitating by turns the notes of various
birds, from which it is also called the English Mock
Bird. This and some others of the Warblers are
so shy, that they will quit the nest if it be touched
by any one.

BRITISH BIRDS. 141

THE REED WARBLER.

REED WREN, OR NIGHT WARBLER.

(Sylvia Arundmaceat Lath. — Bee-fin des roscaux,
Temm.)

THE bill, from the tip to the feathers on the
brow, is more than three-eighths of an inch long,
the upper mandible is dusky with yellow edges,
and tapered to a ridge on the middle, slightly
notched at the tip, and has a few slight hairs at
the sides of the mouth projecting over the gape:
a lightish streak passes above the eyes; the cheeks
and sides of the neck are pale brown, the rest of
the head and all the upper plumage is brown,
more or less tinged with olive: the quills and tail
feathers are of a darker brown, with pale edges;
the tail is rather longish, and the middle feathers
are somewhat longer than the rest; the throat and
fore part of the neck are white; the breast and

142 BRITISH BIRDS.

sides tinged with brown: the belly the same, but
much lighter, the middle almost approaching to a
silvery white. The legs and toes appear to have
been of a brownish yellow. The stuffed speci-
men from which the above figure was made, was
obligingly presented by Air. Yarrell to the New-
castle Museum, in 1827.

This shy and solitary bird is seldom seen, as it
keeps itself during the day mostly hidden among
the coarse herbage, or the reeds and rushes which
grow by the rills that ooze out of the moist or
boggy grounds which it generally frequents. The
author never but once saw what he believes to
have been this bird, nor ever heard its song; but
this last has been well described to. him by others
whose business led them to be out at the break
of day. These, though unlearned naturalists, wrere
keen observers, and the wild quadrupeds and birds
in their neighbourhood did not escape notice, and
among others this bird and its charming song.
Their report was, that they never hea-rd it sing
except in the twilight of a summer's morning;
but others are said to have heard it at the close
of the evening.

From its being so seldom heard, it is believed
that it does not visit this country every year.
There can be little doubt that it is the very bird
whose song has sometimes been mistaken in the
north of England for that of the Nightingale.

Latham, who seems not to have known much
about it, says it builds its nest among reeds, sup-
ported by three of their branches : it is of a downy
texture; the eggs, five in number, are of a pale
yellowish brown, speckled with minute spots.

BRITISH BJRDS. 143

THE NIGHTINGALE.

(Sylvia luscinia^ Lath. — Bee-fin rossignol^ Temm.)

THIS bird, so universally esteemed for the excel-
lence of its song, is not remarkable for the variety
or richness of its plumage. It is somewhat more
than six inches in length The bill is brown, yel-
low on the edges at the base ; eyes hazel ; the
whole upper part of the body is of a rusty brown,
tinged with olive ; the under parts pale ash, almost
white at the throat and vent; the quills are brown,
with reddish margins; legs pale brown. The male
and female are very similar.

Although the Nightingale is common in this
country, it never visits the northern parts of our
island, and is but seldom seen in the western
counties of Devonshire and Cornwall : it leaves us
sometime in the month of August, and makes its
regular return in the beginning of April ; it is
supposed, during that interval, to visit the distant
regions of Asia; this is probable, as these birds do

144 BRITISH BIRDS.

not winter in any part of France, Germany, Italy,
Greece, &c., neither does it appear that they stay
in Africa, but are seen at all times in India,
Persia, China, and Japan ; in the latter country
they are much esteemed for their song, and sell at
great prices. They are spread generally through-
out Europe, even as far north as Siberia and
Sweden, where they are said to sing delightfully;
they, however, are partial to particular places,
and avoid others which seem as likely to afford
them the necessary means of support. It is not
improbable, however, that by planting a colony in
a well-chosen situation, these charming songsters
might be induced to haunt places where they are
not at present seen: the experiment might easily
be tried, and should it succeed, the reward will
be great in the rich and varied song of this un-
rivalled bird. Milton gives us the following
beautiful description.

And the mute silence hist along,

'Lest Philomel will deign a song,

In her sweetest, saddest plight,

Soothing the rugged brow of night,

While Cynthia checks her dragon yoke,

Gently o'er the accustomed oak :

Sweet bird that shunn'st the noise of folly,

Most musical, most melancholy !

Thee, chauntress, oft the woods among,

I woo to hear thy even song.

Nightingales begin to build about the end of
April or the beginning of May; they make their
nest in the lower part of a thick bush or hedge;
the female lays four or five eggs of a greenish
brown colour. The nest is composed of dry grass

BRITISH BIRDS. 145

and leaves, intermixed with small fibres, and lined
with hair, down, and other soft and warm sub-
stances. The business of incubation is entire-
ly performed by the female, whilst the male, at
no great distance, entertains her with his delight-
ful melody: as soon, however, as the young are
hatched, he leaves off singing, and joins her in
the care of providing for them. These birds make
a second hatch, and sometimes a third; and in hot
countries they are said to have four.

The Nightingale is a solitary bird, and never
unites in flocks like many of the smaller birds, but
hides itself in the thickest parts of the bushes,
and sings generally in the night: its food consists
principally of insects, small worms, eggs of ants,
and sometimes berries of various kinds. Though
timorous and shy, they are easily caught ; lime
twigs and snares of all sorts are laid for them,
and generally succeed. Young ones are sometimes
brought up from the nest, and fed with great care
till they are able to sing. It is with great difficulty
that old birds are induced to sing after being
taken; for a considerable time they refuse to eat,
but by great attention to their treatment, and
avoiding every thing that might agitate them,
they at length resume their song, and continue it
during the greater part of the year.

VOL. I.

i46

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE BLACK-CAP.

(Sylvia Atricapilla, Lath. — Bee-fin a tete noire y
Temm.)

Is somewhat above five inches in length. The
upper mandible is of a dark horn colour; the under
one light blue, and the edges of both whitish; top
of the head black; sides of the head and hinder
part of the neck ash colour; back and wings olive
grey; the throat, breast, belly, and vent more or
less silvery white ; the legs bluish, inclining to
brown; claws black. The head of the female is
of a dull rust colour.

The Black-cap visits us about the middle of
April, and retires in September; it frequents
gardens, and builds its nest near the ground,
commonly among the branches of the Woodbine;
it is very slightly made, and composed of the
dried stems and curled roots of small grass,
thinly interwoven with a very few hairs, and
bound to the twigs with the cotton of plants;
the inside of the nest is deep and round; the
eggs, commonly five in number, are reddish

BRITISH BIRDS. 147

brown, sprinkled or marbled with spots of a
much darker colour. During the time of incu-
bation the male sits by turns, he likewise pro-
cures the female food, such as flies, worms, and
insects. The Black-cap sings sweetly, and so
like the Nightingale, that in Norfolk it is called
the Mock-Nightingale; it also imitates the Thrush
and the Blackbird. Our ingenious countryman,
White, observes, that it has usually a full, sweet,
deep, loud, and wild pipe, yet the strain is of
short continuance, and its motions desultory; but
when this bird sits calmly, and in earnest en-
gages in song, it pours forth very sweet but
inward melody, and expresses great variety of
sweet and gentle modulations, superior, perhaps,
to any of our warblers, the Nightingale excepted;
and, while it warbles, its throat is wonderfully
distended. Black-caps feed chiefly on flies and
insects, but not unfrequently on ivy and other
berries, and the seeds of the evonymus.

i48

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GARDEN WARBLER.

(Sylvia Hortcnsis, Bechst. — Bee-fin Fauvette,
Temm.)

LENGTH about six inches. Bill pale brown ;
upper parts of the body brown, tinged with olive
green; under parts dingy white, a little inclining
to brown across the breast ; quills dusky, with
pale edges ; tail dusky ; over each eye is an
indistinct whitish line : legs pale brown. The
male and female are much alike. The eggs are
dull white, irregularly marked with dusky spots.
This bird frequents woods and thickets, has a
sweet song resembling that of the Black-cap,
and its general habits are much like that bird ;
it often secretes itself in the thickest parts of
the bushes, where it may be heard but not seen.
It is truly a mocking bird, imitating the notes
of various kinds, generally beginning with those

BRITISH BIRDS.

149

of the Swallow, and ending with the song of
the Blackbird. We have often watched with the
utmost attention whilst it was singing delight-
fully in the midst of a bush close at hand, but
have seldom been able to obtain a sight of it.
Buffon says, "these pretty warblers arrive when
the trees put forth their leaves, and begin to ex-
pand their blossoms ; they are dispersed through
the whole extent of our plains; some inhabit our
gardens, others prefer the clumps and avenues;
some conceal themselves among the reeds, and
many retire to the midst of the woods."

150 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE WHITE-THROAT.
(Sylvia Cinerea, Lath. — Bcc-fin grisette, Temm.)

LENGTH about five inches and a half. Bill
dark brown, lighter at the base ; eyes dark
hazel ; the upper part of the head and back are
reddish ash ; throat white ; lesser wing coverts
pale brown; the greater dusky brown, with red-
dish margins; breast and belly silvery white; the
wings and tail dusky brown, with pale edges,
outer feathers white ; legs pale brown. The
breast and belly of the female are entirely white.

This bird arrives with the Redstart, Black-
cap, &c., in the spring, and quits us in autumn
about the same time that they do; it frequents
thickets and hedges, and feeds on insects and
wild berries. It builds in thick brakes or bushes,
the nest is composed of fine dried grass, thinly
lined with hair; the female lays five eggs, of
a greenish white ; sprinkled with darkish olive

BRITISH BIRDS. 151

spots, which become numerous and blotched at
the thicker end. It is often heard in the midst
of a thick covert to utter a pretty constant grat-
ing call of c/ta, cha, cha, which it leaves off as
soon as it is disturbed, flitting before the pas-
senger from bush to bush, singing as it flies
along, and sometimes mounting up a little height
into the air, as if it were attempting to imitate
the Lark, both in its motions and song; but in
these it falls greatly short, and its frequently
repeated notes have but little melody.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE LESSER WHITE-THROAT.

(Sylvia Ctirruea, Lath. — Bee-fin babillardy Temm.)

THIS bird is of a slender shape, like the Willow
Wren, and from its shy disposition, is not often
seen. By those who have watched its motions, it
is described as darting1 like a mouse through the
interior branches of the brakes and underwoods,
among which it shelters itself. Its length is four
inches and seven-eighths, breadth seven inches
and a quarter, weight six drachms. The irides
are dark hazel ; both mandibles are dark at the
tips; the under one yellowish towards the base.
The upper plumage is of a mouse coloured brown ;
the scapulars and quills nearly the same, edged
with lighter brown; and the two outside feathers
of the tail, with dull white; the under parts, from
the chin to the vent, are more or less of a silvery
white ; legs, toes, and claws brown.

Our figure was taken from a bird which was shot
in the boundary hedge of Newcastle Town Moor,

BRITISH BIRDS.

153

on the 2nd June, 1815, and presented to this work
by Mr. R. R. Wingate. Its nest was built in a
woodbine bush, about a yard from the ground;
it was of a slight fabric, composed of the dried
stems of small grass, and curled small roots, and
very thinly interwoven or lined with a few hairs.
The eggs, five in number, were white, spotted
with brown, and intermixed with other spots of
a pale bluish ash. They are somewhat less than
those of the White-throat, and differently marked.

VOL. I.

154 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE DARTFORD WARBLER.

(Sylvia Provincialis, Gmelin. — Bcc-fiu pifchou,
Temm.)

THIS bird measures above five inches in length^
of which the tail is about one half. The bill is
rather long and slender, and a little bent at the
tip; it is black, and whitish at the base; the eyes
are reddish; eye-lids deep crimson; all the upper
parts dark rusty brown, tinged with dull yellow;
the breast, part of the belly, and thighs deep red,
inclining to rust colour; the middle of the belly
white; the bastard wing is also w^hite; tail dusky,
except the exterior web of the outer feather, which
is white; legs yellow.

It seems to be a rare bird in this country, and
owes its name, with us, to the accident of a pair
of them having been seen near Dartford, in Kent,
some years ago: they have since been observed
in great numbers, and are supposed sometimes to
winter with us. The above figure was taken from
a Wycliffe specimen.

BRITISH BIRDS.

155

THE REDBREAST.

ROBIN REDBREAST, OR RUDDOCK.

(Sylvia Rubecula, Lath. — Bee-Jin rouge-gorge,
Temm.)

THIS general favourite is too well known to need
a very minute description. The bill is slender and
delicate; its eyes large, black, and expressive, and
its aspect mild ; the head and all the upper parts
are brown, tinged with greenish olive; neck and
breast of a fine deep reddish orange; a spot of
the same colour marks its forehead ; belly and
vent dull white; legs dusky.

In spring the Redbreast retires to woods and
thickets, where, with its mate, it prepares for the
accommodation of its future family. During sum-
mer it is rarely to be seen. The nest is placed
near the ground, by the roots of trees, or bushes,
in the most concealed spot, and sometimes in holes
•of walls or old buildings, and is constructed of
moss and dried leaves, intermixed with hair, and

156 BRITISH BIRDS.

lined with feathers; in order more effectually to
conceal it, they cover it over with leaves, leaving
only a narrow winding entrance under the heap.
The female lays from five to nine eggs, of a dull
white, marked with reddish spots. During the
time of incubation, the male sits at no great dis-
tance, and makes the woods resound with his
delightful warble; he keenly chases all the birds
of his own species, and drives them from his little
settlement; for it has never been known that two
pairs of these birds, who are as faithful as they
are amorous, were lodged at the same time in the
same bush.* The Redbreast prefers the thick
shade, wrhere there is water; it feeds on insects
and worms; but never eats them alive. It takes
them in its bill and beats them against the ground
till they cease to move: during this operation it
frequently happens that the caterpillar is burst,
and its entrails are shaken out, leaving only the
body thus cleansed from all its impurities. Some
ornithologists have ascribed this to the extreme
delicacy of the bird in preparing its repast ; others
think that it is only an accidental consequence
arising from the manner of putting its prey to
death.

Although the Redbreast never quits this island,
it performs a partial migration. As soon as the
business of incubation is over, and the young are
sufficiently grown to provide for themselves, he
leaves his retirement,! and again draws near the

* Unum arbustum non alit duos erithacos.

f The Redbreast, as well as some other kinds *of birds, visits the
sea-shores in the autumn.

BRITISH BIRDS. 157

habitations of mankind ; his well-known familiarity
has attracted the attention and secured the pro-
tection of man in all ages; he haunts the dwelling
of the cottager, and partakes of his humble fare;
when the frost grows severe, and snow covers the
ground he approaches the house, taps at the win-
dow with his bill, as if to entreat an asylum,
which is always cheerfully granted, and with a
simplicity the most delightful, hops round the
house, picks up crumbs, and seems to make him-
self one of the family. Thomson has described
the annual visits of this little guest, in the follow-
ing lines: —

" The Redbreast, sacred to the household gods,

" Wisely regardful of th' embroiling sky,

" In joyless field and thorny thickets leaves

" His shivering mates, and pays to trusted man

" His annual visit. Half afraid, he first

"Against the window beats ; then brisk alights

"On the warm hearth; then, hopping o'er the floor,

" Eyes all the smiling family askance,

"And pecks, and starts, and wonders where he is;

"Till, more familiar grown, the table crumbs

"Attract his slender feet."

The young Redbreast, when full feathered, may
be mistaken for a different bird, being all over
besprinkled with rust-coloured spots on a light
ground; the first appearance of the red is about
the end of August, but it does not attain its full
colour till the end of the following month. Red-
breasts are never seen in flocks, but always singly;
and, when all other birds associate together, they
still retain their solitary habits. As soon as the
young birds have attained their full plumage,

158 BRITISH BIRDS.

they prepare for their departure from woods and
thickets; but in thus changing their situation, they
do not gather in flocks, but perform their journey
singly, one after another, which is a singular cir-
cumstance in the history of this- bird. Its general
familiarity has occasioned it to be distinguished
by a peculiar name in many countries : about Born-
holm it is called Tomi Liden ; in Norway, Peter
Ronsmad; in Germany, it is called Thomas Gier-
det; and with us, Robin Redbreast, or Ruddock.

BRITISH BIRDS. 159

THE BLUE-THROATED ROBIN.

(Sylvia Suecica, Lath. — Bee-fin gorgc-blcuc, Temm.)

THIS bird, hitherto a stranger in this country, is
similar in its size, figure, and upper plumage to
our own engaging and familiar Robin Redbreast.
A light streak passes over the eyes, otherwise the
only striking difference between them is the colour
of the throat, which in this is of a beautiful clear
ultra-marine blue, crossed or divided about the
middle by a patch of reddish orange, and bordered
at its lower termination, near the breast, with
black; below this it is reddish chesnut, broken or
mixed with dull white and dingy brown ; thence to
the vent, though of a lighter cast, it is clouded
more or less with the latter colours. The middle
tail feathers are of the same colour as the upper
plumage, viz., brown tinged with olive: the better
half of the outside feathers of the tail to its base
are orange red, the rest at the tip are black: the

160 BRITISH BIRDS.

legs and toes are black. The specimen from which
the above figure was made, seemed to be some-
what longer or taller than the Redbreast; but this
might be owing to the manner of stuffing its skin.
Some of the foreign species noticed by ornith-
ologists, are found to have a white patch in the
middle of the blue on the throat. It is said to be
met with in various parts of the continent, from
Sweden to Gibraltar. Its song is described as
being agreeable, and it is said it sings in the
night.

This innocent and beautiful little visitor (prob-
ably on its first arrival) was shot on the boundary
hedge of the Newcastle Town Moor, in May, 1826,
and presented by Mr. Thomas Embleton to the
Museum of the Literary and Philosophical Society;
where it is hoped this effigy of it will be long pre-
served as its monument, and in atonement for
taking away its life.

BRITISH BIRDS.

161

THE REDSTART.

RED-TAIL.

(Sylvia Phcenicurus, Lath. — Bcc-fin de murailles,
Temm.)

MEASURES rather more than five inches in
length. The bill and eyes are black; forehead
white ; cheeks, throat, fore part and sides of
the neck black, which colour extends over each
eye ; the crown of the head, hinder part of the
neck, and the back, are of a deep blue grey; in
some, probably old birds, this grey is almost
black; the breast, rump, and sides are of a fine
glowing red, inclining to orange, which extends
to all the feathers of the tail, excepting the two
middle ones, which are brown ; the belly is
white; feet and claws black. The female differs
considerably from the male; her colours are not
so vivid; the top of the head and back are ash-
grey; chin white.

VOL i. x

1 62 BRITISH BIRDS.

The Redstart is migratory; it appears about
the middle of April, and departs in the end of
September, or beginning of October; it frequents
old walls and ruinous edifices, where it makes
its nest, composed chiefly of moss, lined with
hair and feathers. It is distinguished by a pe-
culiar quick shake of its tail from side to side,
when it alights. Though wild, and timorous, it
is frequently found in the midst of cities, always
chusing the most inaccessible places for its resi-
dence ; it likewise builds in forests, in holes of
trees, or in high and dangerous precipices. The
female lays four or five eggs, not much unlike
those of the Hedge-warbler, but somewhat longer.
These birds feed on flies, spiders, the eggs of ants,
small berries, soft fruits, and such like. The young
are thickly freckled with tawny spots, and might
readily be mistaken for the young of the Red-
breast, but for the vivid horizontal motion of the
tail, which begins as soon as they fly.

BRITISH BIRDS.

163

THE YELLOW WREN.

WOOD WREN.

(Sylvia Sibilatrixy Bechst. — Bee-fin siffleur, Temm.)

LENGTH above five inches. The bill is brown,
the inside and edges yellow; eyes hazel; upper
parts of the plumage yellow, inclining to a pale
olive green ; the under pale yellow ; over each
eye there is a whitish streak, tinged with yel-
low, which in young birds is very distinct; the
wings and tail are dusky brown, with pale edges:
legs yellowish brown.

There are three or four distinct species* of these,

' The author was so fortunate as to procure specimens of this
and others, taken at the same time of the year, and had an oppor-
tunity of noticing the difference of their song. For these specimens,
as well as for many others, this work is indebted to the late Major
H. F. Gibson, of the 4th Dragoons.

164 BRITISH BIRDS.

of which the Yellow Wren is the largest ; the
following1 two differ in their size as well as note;
their form and manners are, however, very simi-
lar. It is sometimes seen on the tops of trees,
whence it often rises singing ; its note is rather
low, and soft, but not much varied. It builds
its nest in plantations or coppices, and on the
ground ; it is composed of a great quantity of
materials which lie scattered about, such as the
leaves of the holly, which have been dissected
by insects, for its covering, and lined with the
withered stems of small grasses : the entrance
is on the side. The eggs, about six in number,
are white, and more or less closely spotted with
deep brown.

A nest of this species, with five young ones, was found and
examined in Axwell Park, June 18, 1801 : it was built on the
edge of a brae; the entrance was long, and curiously arched
over with the stems of dried grass.

BRITISH BIRDS. 165

THE WILLOW WREN.

(Sylvia Trochilus, Lath. — Bcc-fin ponillot, Temm.)

THIS is next in size. The plumage of the upper
parts is darker than that of the last, and of an
olive green ; the wings are brown, with dull yellow
edges ; under parts whitish, pretty deeply tinged
with yellow on the throat, breast, and thighs: the
bill is brown, inside yellow; over each eye a light
yellow line extends from the bill to the back part
of the head: the legs are yellow brown. These
birds vary in the shadings of their plumage.

The Willow Wren frequents hedges and shrub-
beries ; its food consists of insects, in search of
which it is continually running up and down
small branches of trees. Its nest is placed on
the ground, commonly on the side or edge of a
brae; it is composed of a great quantity of moss
and dried grass, lined with long coarse hair and
feathers; it lays six white eggs, beautifully spotted
with red.

i66

BRITISH IMRDS.

THE CHIFF CHAFF.

(Sylvia R-ufa, Lath. — Bcc-fin velocc, Temm.)

LENGTH nearly five inches; breadth seven and
a quarter; weight about a quarter of an ounce;
upper plumage dark olive green; the under par-
takes of a blea lint white, slightly tinged with
yellow ; a pale dull .yellow line extends from the
bill over the eyes towards the nape ; bill dark,
with yellow edges ; primaries, secondaries, and
tail brown, edged with pale green; legs yellowish
brown. They visit this country among the first
summer birds of passage, but from their preferring
shady woods, or tall trees, are seldom to be seen.*
They build in a low bush near the ground : the
nest is composed of dried leaves and stems of
grass, lined with feathers : it lays from three to
six eggs, wrhite, beautifully spotted with vinous
brown.

* Seven of these birds have been presented to this work by Mr,
W. Proctor. They all exhibited nearly the same plumage.

BRITISH BIRDS. 167

THE LEAST WILLOW WREN.

TROCHILUS MINOR.

LENGTH scarcely four inches and a quarter.
The upper plumage is of a deeper brown than
that of the last, and with less of the olive tinge;
the streak above the eye, the chin, throat, and
fore part of the neck are of a duller cast ; the
legs and toes of a much darker brown ; and its
usual feeble song is also very different.

From a specimen of the bird sent to this work
by J. C. Wood, Esq., and another since received,
it is clear that it is a different bird from the Chiff
Chaff of White ; from these the above figure was
made, which it is hoped is sufficiently accurate
to enable the ornithologist to identify this very
small bird. Mr. Wood (who has also favoured
us with specimens of every known species of this
family) says, "This bird comes over to us in
about the same numbers as the Yellow Wren ;
its haunts are the same, and I think it dwells in

1 68

BRITISH BIRDS.

the woods only; the song, size, and very brown
legs distinguish it clearly from the others ; its
two notes are loud and powerful, and in very
bright fine weather, it makes the woods echo with
them/'

It has before been stated that its note is feeble;
this however applies only to its ordinary song,
for while his faithful mate is anxiously engaged
in the business of incubation, the male, from his
lofty situation, ardently pours forth his music to
cheer her in the nest, which is covered with leaves,,
and generally sheltered by a bush below.

BRITISH BIRDS.

169

THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN.

(Rcgulus anricapilluSy Selby. — Roitelct ordinaire,
Temm.)

THIS is supposed to be the least of all European
birds; it is certainly the smallest of the British
kinds, being1 in length not quite three inches and
a half,* and weighing only seventy-six grains.
The bill is very slender and dark; eyes hazel; on
the top of its head the feathers are of a bright
orange colour, bordered on each side with black,
which forms an arch above the eyes, and with
which it sometimes conceals the crown, by con-
tracting the muscles of the head: the upper part
of the body is yellowish olive green ; all the under
parts pale reddish white, tinged with green on the
sides : the greater coverts of the wings are dusky
brown, edged with yellow, and tipped with white:
quills dusky, edged with pale green, as are the
feathers of the tail, but lighter; legs yellowish

* The body, when stripped of its feathers, is about an inch long.
VOL. I. Y

Tyo BRITISH BIRDS.

brown. The female is distinguished by a pale
yellow crown: her whole plumage is less vivid
than that of the male.

This most pleasing fairy bird delights in the
largest trees, such as oaks, elms, tall pines, and
firs, particularly the first, in which it finds both
food and shelter; in these it builds its nest, which
is suspended, like a hammock, from a branch by
a kind of cordage made of the materials of which
the nest is chiefly composed ; it is of an oblong
form, having an aperture on one side, and is made
principally of moss, lined with the softest down,
mixed with slender filaments : the female lays
from six to a dozen eggs, scarcely larger than
peas, which are white, sprinkled with very small
spots of a dull colour. These birds are very agile,
and are almost continually in motion, fluttering
from branch to branch, creeping on all sides of
the trees, clinging to them in every situation,
and often hanging like the Titmouse. Their food
consists chiefly of the smallest insects, which they
find in the crevices of the bark of trees, or catch
nimbly on the wing ; they also eat the eggs of
insects, small worms, and various sorts of seeds.

The Golden-crested Wren is diffused throughout
Europe ; it has also been met with in Asia and
America, and seems to bear great extremes of
temperature. It stays with us the wThole year,
and is a constant resident even so far north as
the Orkney Islands, where it also breeds. Its
song is said to be very melodious, but weaker
than that of the Common Wren: it has besides a
sharp shrill cry, somewhat like that of the Grass-
hopper.

BRITISH BIRDS.

171

THE WREN.

KITTY WKEX.

(Troglodytes Vulgar is, Temm. — -Troglodyte ordinaire,
Temm.)

LENGTH three inches and a half. The bill is
slender, and a little curved ; upper mandible and
tips of a brownish horn colour, the under one,
and edges of both, dull yellow.; a whitish line
extends from the bill over the eyes, which are
dark hazel ; the upper parts of the plumage are
clear brown, obscurely marked on the back and
rump with narro\y double wavy lines of pale and
dark brown colours ; the belly, sides, and thighs
are marked with the same colours, but more dis-
tinctly ; the throat is dingy white ; cheeks and
breast the same, faintly dappled with brown; the
quills and tail are marked with alternate bars
of a reddish brown and black ; legs pale olive
brown.

172 BRITISH BIRDS.

This active little bird is very common in Eng-
land, and braves our severest winters, which it con-
tributes to enliven by its sprightly note. During
that season it approaches near the dwellings of
man, and takes shelter in the roofs of houses,
barns, and in hay-stacks; it sings till late in the
evening, and not unfrequently during a fall of
snow. In the spring it betakes itself to the woods,
where it builds on the ground, or in a low bush,
and sometimes on the turf, beneath the trunk of a
tree, or in a hole in a wall; its nest is constructed
with much art, of an oval shape, with one small
aperture in the side for an entrance; it is composed
chiefly of moss, or other surrounding materials, so
as not to be easily distinguished from them, and
lined within with feathers : the female lays from
ten to sixteen, and sometimes eighteen eggs; they
are white, thinly sprinkled with small reddish
spots, mostly at the thicker end.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE WHEATEAR.

WHITE-RUMP.

(Saxicola sEuautJic, Bechst. — Traquct motciix,
Temm.)

LENGTH five inches and a half. Bill black; eyes
hazel; from the base of the bill a black streak or
patch is extended over the eyes, cheeks, and ears,
where it is pretty broad ; above this there is a
line of white; the top of the head, hinder part of
the neck, and the back, are bluish grey; the wing
coverts and quills are dusky, edged with rusty
white ; the rump is perfectly white, as is part of
the tail; the rest black; the under parts are pale
buif, tinged with red on the breast: legs and feet
black. In the female the white line above the
eye is somewhat obscure, and all the black parts
of the plumage incline more to brown ; neither is
the tail of so pure a white.

174 BRITISH BIRDS.

The Wheatear breeds under shelter of a tuft or
clod, in newly ploughed lands, or under stones,
and sometimes in old rabbit burrows ; its nest,
which is constructed with great care, is composed
of dry grass or moss, mixed with wool, and is
lined with feathers, and defended by a sort of
covert fixed to the stone or clod under which it
is formed : the female generally lays five or six
light blue eggs, the larger end encompassed with
a circle of a somewhat deeper hue.

This bird visits us about the middle of March,
and from that time till May is seen to arrive; it
frequents new-tilled grounds, and never fails to
follow the plough in search of insects and small
worms, which are its principal food. In some
parts of England great numbers are taken in
snares made of horse hair, placed beneath a turf;
near two thousand dozen are said to have been
taken annually in that way, in one district only,
and are generally sold at sixpence per dozen.*
They leave us in August and September, and
about that time are seen in great numbers by the
sea-shore, where, probably, they subsist some little
time before they take their departure. They are
extended over a large portion of the globe, even
as far as the southern parts of Asia.

* Pennant.

BRITISH BIRDS.

175

THE WHINCHAT.

(Saxicola Rnbctra, Bechst. — Traquct taricr, Temm.)

THIS bird is somewhat larger than the Stonechat.
The bill is black; eyes hazel; the feathers on the
head, neck, and back are black, bordered with
rust colour; a streak of white passes from the bill
over each eye towards the hinder part of the
head; the cheeks are blackish; chin white; breast
rusty; belly, vent, and thighs pale buff; each wing
is crossed by a white mark near the shoulder,
and another smaller near the bastard, wing; part
of the tail, at the base, is white, the rest black;
the two middle feathers wholly black, as are also
the legs. The colours of the female are in general
paler; the white streak over the eye, and the spots
on the wings, are much less conspicuous ; and
the cheeks, instead of being black, partake of the
colours of the head.

176 BRITISH BIRDS.

The Whinchat is a solitary bird, frequenting
heaths and moors : it has no song, but only a
simple unvaried note, and in manners very much
resembles the Stonechat ; it makes its nest very
similar to that bird, and is generally seen in the
same places during the summer months : the fe-
male lays five eggs, of a lightish blue, very faintly
sprinkled with small rusty spots. In the northern
parts of England it disappears in winter: but its
migration is only partial, as it is seen in some of
the southern counties at that season. It feeds on
worms, flies, and insects.

BRITISH BIRDS. 177

THE STONECHAT.

STONE-SMITH, MOOR-TITLING.

(Saxicola Rubicola, Bechst. — Traquet rubicolc,
Temm.)

LENGTH nearly five inches. Bill black; eyes
dark hazel ; the head, neck, and throat black,
faintly mixed with brown ; on each side of the
neck, immediately above the wings, there is a
large white spot ; the back and wing coverts
are of a fine velvet black, margined with red-
dish brown : the quills are dusky, with pale
brown edges, those next the body are white at
the bottom, forming a spot of that colour on the
wings; the breast is bay, lightest on the belly:
the rump white ; tail black, the outer feathers
edged with rusty colour: legs black. The co-
lours of the female are duller; the white on the
sides of the neck is not so conspicuous; the
breast and belly much paler, and the white spot
on the rump is wanting.

VOL. i. z

178 BRITISH BIRDS.

This solitary bird is chiefly found on wild heaths
and commons, where it feeds on small worms and
insects of all kinds. They build at the roots of
bushes, or underneath stones, carefully concealing
the entrance to the nest by a variety of arts: it
generally alights at some distance, and makes
its' approaches with great circumspection, creep-
ing along the ground in a winding direction, so
that it is a difficult matter to discover its retreat.
They build about the end of March, and lay five
or six eggs of a greenish blue, faintly freckled
with pale rust colour. The flight of the Stone-
chat is low: it is almost continually on the wing,
flying from bush to bush, alighting only for a few
seconds. It remains with us the whole year, and
in winter frequents moist places, in quest of food.
Buffon compares its note to the word wistrata
frequently repeated. Latham observes, that it
seemed to him like the clicking of two stones
together, from which circumstance it probably
may have derived its name.

H Kill SI I BIRDS.

THE HEDGE WARBLER.

HEDGE SPARROW.

(Accentor modularis, Cuvier. — Accentcur mouchet,
Temm.)

THE length of this well-known bird is somewhat
more than five inches. The bill is dark ; eyes
hazel ; its general appearance is dusky brown ; the
feathers on the head, hinder part of the neck,
back, wings, and tail are edged with rusty or
pale tawny brown, plain on the rump, clouded,
and dashed on the sides with deeper shades of
those colours: the chin, throat, sides of the neck,
and fore part of the breast are dull bluish ash;
belly the same colour, but lighter; legs reddish
brown.

This bird is commonly seen in hedges, from
which circumstance it derives one of its names ;
but it has no other relation to the Sparrow, and

l8o BRITISH BIRDS.

only resembles it in the similarity of the colours
of its upper plumage ; in every other respect it
differs entirely. It remains with us the whole
year, and builds its nest in hedges ; it is com-
posed of moss and wool, and lined with hair.
The female generally lays four or five eggs, of a
uniform pale blue: the young are hatched about
the beginning of May. During the time of sit-
ting, if a, cat or other voracious animal should
happen to 'come near the nest, the mother endea-
vours to divert it from the spot by a stratagem
similar to that by which the Partridge misleads
the dog: she springs up, flutters from spot to
spot, and by such means allures her enemy to a
safe distance. In France this bird is rarely seen
but in winter ; it arrives generally in October,
and departs in the spring for more northern re-
gions, where it breeds. It is supposed to brave
the rigours of winter in Sweden, and that it
assumes the white plumage common in those
severe climates in that season. Its song is little
varied, but brisk and pleasant, especially in a
season when the other warblers are mostly silent.
It has already been observed that the Cuckoo
sometimes deposits her egg in the nest of this
bird.

BRITISH BIRDS. l8l

THE species of the AVagtails properly so called,
are few, and are chiefly confined to the continent
of Europe, where the individuals are numerous.
They are easily distinguished by their brisk and
lively motions, as well as by the great length
of their tails, which they jerk up and down in-
cessantly, from which circumstance they derive
their name.* They do not hop, but run along
the ground very nimbly after flies and other in-
sects, on which they feed ; they likewise feed on
.small worms, in search of which they frequently
flutter round the husbandman whilst at his plough,
and follow the flocks in search of the flies which
generally surround them. They frequent the sides
of runners and pools, and pick up the insects
which swarm there. They seldom perch ; their
flight is weak and undulating, during which they
make a twittering noise.

* In almost all languages the name of this bird is descriptive of
its peculiar habits. In Latin, Motacilla; in French, Moteux, La
Lavandiere, or Washer; in England, they are sometimes called
Washers, from their peculiar motion; in German, their name sig-
nifies Brook-stilts; and, in Italian, Shake-tail, &c., &c.

l"82 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE PIED WAGTAIL.

BLACK AND WHITE WATER WAGTAIL.

(Motacilla Yarrcllii, Gould. — Kcrgcronctte Yarrcll,
Temm.

LENGTH about seven inches. The bill is black ;
eyes hazel ; hinder part of the head and neck
black; forehead, cheeks, and sides of the neck
white; the fore part of the neck and part of the
breast are black, bordered by a whitish line form-
ing a gorget; the back and rump are dark ash;
wing coverts and secondary quills dusky, edged
with light grey : prime quills black, with pale
edges; lower part of the breast and belly white;
the middle feathers of the tail are black, the
outermost white, except at the base and tips of
the inner webs, which are black ; legs black.
There are slight variations in these birds; some
are white on the chin and throat, leaving only
a crescent of black on the breast. The head of
the female is brown.

This is a very common bird with us, and may
be seen every where, running on the ground, and

BRITISH HIKDS. 183

leaping after flies and other insects, on which it
feeds. Its usual haunts are the shallow margins
of springs and running waters, into which it will
sometimes \vade a little in pursuit of its food.
They make their nest on the ground, of dry
grass, moss, and small roots, lined with hair and
feathers, and have been known sometimes to
breed in the deserted nest of the Swallow7, in
chimnies; the female lays five white eggs, spot-
ted with brown. They are very attentive to their
young, and continue to feed and train them for
three or four weeks after they are able to fly: they
defend them with great courage when in danger, or
endeavour to draw aside the enemy by various
little arts. They are very attentive to the cleanli-
ness of the nest, and have been known to remove
light substances, such as paper or straw, which
have been laid as a mark to find it by.

The Wagtail is said by some authors to migrate
into other climates about the end of October; with
us it is known to change its quarters as the win-
ter approaches, from north to south. Its note is
small and insignificant, but frequently repeated,
especially while on the Aving.

184 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GREY WAGTAIL

(Motacilla Boarula, Linn. — Bcrgcroncttc jaiuic, me
cy Temm.)

Is somewhat longer than the last. Bill dark
brown; over each eye a pale streak; head, neck,
and back ash-grey; throat, chin, and fore part of
the neck black; rump and under parts bright
yellow; wing coverts and quills dark brown, the
former with pale edges; tertials, almost as long as
the greater quills, white at the base, and edged
with yellow on the outer webs ; middle tail feathers
black, outer one white: legs yellowish brown.

The habits of this bird are similar to those of
the last. It builds on the ground, and sometimes
on the banks of rivulets, laying six or eight eggs,
of a dirty white, with yellow spots. The female
has no black on the throat.

BRITISH J'.IRUS.

I85-

THE YELLOW WAGTAIL.

KAY S WAGTAIL.

f . \ fotacilla

Ray. — Bcrgt 'ron initc flavcole,
Temm.

LKXGTH six inches and a half. Bill black; eyes
hazel ; the head and all the upper parts of the body
are olive green, palest on the rump ; the under
parts bright yellow, dashed with a few dull spots
on the breast and belly; over each eye is a pale
yellow streak, and beneath a dusky line, curving
upwards towards the hinder part of the head;
wing coverts edged with pale yellow; quills dusky;
tail black, except the outer feathers, which are
white ; legs black ; hinder claws long.

This bird is seen very early in the spring, in the
meadows and fields, among the green corn, where
it frequently nestles ; in winter it haunts the sides
of brooks and springs which do not freeze. The
female lays five eggs, of a pale lead colour, with
dusky spots.

VOL.

2 A

BRITISH BIRDS.

RICHARD'S PIPIT.
(Anthus Richard i, Vieillot. — Pipit Richard, Temm.}

THE preserved specimen above figured, was lent
to this work by N. A. Vigors, Esq. The whole of
the upper plumage, like most of the Larks, has, at
a little distance, an olive brown look, though the
middle of the feathers is dusky, and the webs are
reddish pale brown, and some of the outer ones
edged with dull white ; the lesser and greater
coverts, the primaries, secondaries, and tertials are
also of a deep dusky brown, and edged nearly in
the same way; the quills are dusky, and the tail,
which consists of twelve feathers, is the same, ex-
cepting the outer ones being quite white, and the
two next them are also mostly white, with a dusky
stripe down the middle part on the shafts ; the
throat and under parts are of a dull yellowish
white ; the breast is yellow, spotted with black.

BRITISH BIRDS. 187

THE ROCK LARK.

- ••\iithus * {(juaticnsy Bechst. — Pipit spionccllc, Temm.)

THIS bird is six inches and seven-eighths in
length, and eleven inches and three - eighths in
breadth. The bill is rather slender; irides hazel;
a pale streak extends from the upper part of the
beak over the eyes, and a dark one underneath;
the plumage on the head, neck, back, wings, ter-
tials, and tail, looks altogether of a deep olive
brown, but on a nearer inspection, each feather is
dark in the middle, and lighter towards the edges ;
but the lower part of the back is not clouded, being
more uniformly pale olive, or greenish brown; the
two outside feathers of the tail are brownish white
the whole length of their outer margins, and the
inner web is the same, about half way from the
end. In the above figure, which was taken from
a stuffed specimen, the tertial feathers were nearly
the length of the quills, which latter are narrowly

1 88 BRITISH BIRDS.

edged on the outer webs with pale greenish brown ;
the under parts, from the throat to the vent, are
of a pale dingy yellow, spotted on the fore part
of the neck, and clouded or striped on the breast
and sides with olive brown. The legs are pale
brownish red ; the hind claws long and curved..
This bird is mostly met with among the rocks on
the promontories and isles near the sea shore: it
builds its nest, commonly, in the crevices near the
tops of -those where the earth has crumbled down
and made a lodgement ; it is rather large, and is
wholly composed of the small blades and stems of
dried grass. The eggs, five in number, are closely
freckled with ash, and sprinkled with small brown
spots.

BRITISH BIRDS. i8(>

THE TITLARK.

(Ant Juts P ni ten sis, Bechst. — Pipit farloitsc, Temm.)

Is five inches and a half in length. The bill is
black at the tip, and yellowish brown at the base;
the eyes hazel, and over each is a pale streak. In
the disposition of the colours it is very similar to
the Skylark, but somewhat darker on the upper
parts, and inclining to a greenish brown. The
breast is beautifully spotted with black on a light
yellowish ground ; the belly light ash, obscurely
streaked on the sides with dusky; the tail is almost
black, the two outer feathers white on the exterior
edges, the outermost but one tipped with a white
spot on the end: the legs are yellowish; feet and
claws brown. The plumage of the female is less
bright than that of the male.

The Titlark is common in this country ; and,
though it sometimes perches on trees, is generally
found in meadows and low marshy grounds. It

I go BRITISH BIRDS.

makes its nest of withered grass, commonly on the
ground, but sometimes on the side of a brae: the
nest is like that of 'the Rock Lark, but the eggs
are different both in size and colour : the female
lays five eggs, very closely freckled with deep
brown : the young are hatched about the beginning
of June. The Titlark is flushed with the least
noise, and shoots off with a rapid flight. Its note
is fine, but short, and without much variety ; it
warbles in the air in humble imitation of the Sky-
lark, and increases its song as it descends slowly
to the branch on which it chuses to perch. It is
further distinguished by the shake of its tail, par-
ticularly whilst it eats.

BRITISH BIRDS.

IQI

THE TREE LARK.

(Ant Juts Arboreus, Bechst. — Pipit dcs buissons,
Temm.)

THIS bird measures six inches and three-eighths
in length, and ten inches in breadth. The upper
mandible is dusky : the under one pale, with a
blush of red : the upper part of the head, and
hinder part of the neck, are dingy light brown,
streaked with very dark brown spots ; the back
feathers partake more of olive, and are also
streaked with dark brown : the lower part of the
back, the rump and upper tail coverts are dull
olive brown, lightest on the edges; the tail feathers-
are deep brown, with lighter edges; the two out-
side ones dull white on the exterior margins and
tips ; and the two next to them tipped with a
spot of white ; the chin, throat, and fore part of
the neck and breast are dull yellow, the latter
spotted with very dark brown ; the belly and vent

IQ2 BRITISH BIRDS.

dingy white ; sides reddish yellow, marked with
narrow streaks of brown ; the ridge of the wings,
and part of the lesser coverts are olive brown ;
the feathers next the greater coverts dark brown,
deeply edged with dull white ; all the rest of
the wing feathers are darkish brown, more or
less margined with pale edges : legs and toes
dull yellow.

This bird frequents woods and plantations, and
sits on the highest branches of trees, whence it rises
singing, to a considerable height, and descends
slowly, with its wTings set up and its tail spread
out like a fan. Its note is full, clear, melodious,
and peculiar to its kind. It builds its nest on the
ground, commonly at the root of a bush, near the
edge of a coppice or plantation. The outside is
made of moss ; the inside of the stems of dried
grass, slightly bound together with a very few
hairs. The eggs, seven in number, vary much in
colour and marking, they are generally blotched
with deep vinous purple on a greyish ground.

BRITISH BIRDS. 193

(tramuorotts

THE birds of this order are furnished with bills,
more or less stout, of a conical shape, and very
sharp at the point, admirably fitted for the pur-
pose of breaking the hard external coverings of
the seeds of plants from the kernels, which con-
stitute the principal part of their food ; during
the time of incubation they destroy great numbers
of insects and their larvae, on which they feed
their young.

Many of the busy little tribes which constitute
this order are distinguished by the beauty of their
plumage and the sweetness of their song. Some
of the species congregate in large flocks during
the autumn and winter months, enlivening the
woods and fields, and others are even met with
in the largest and most populous cities.

* This order comprises six British genera, viz. •. Alauda, Parus,.
Emberiza, Loxia, Pyrrhula, Fringilla.

VOL. I. 2 B

K)4 BRITISH BIRDS.

(M fljc ~£arfc.

AMONG the various kinds of singing birds with
which this country abounds, there is none more
eminently conspicuous than those of the Lark
kind. Instead of retiring to woods and deep re-
cesses, or lurking in thickets, where it may be
heard without being seen, they are generally seen
abroad in the fields ; it is the only bird which
ch aunts on the wing, and while it soars beyond
the reach of our sight, pours forth the most me-
lodious strains, which may be distinctly heard at
an amazing distance.

From the peculiar construction of the hinder
claws, which are very long and straight, Larks
generally rest upon the ground; those which fre-
quent trees perch only on the larger branches.
They all build their nests upon the ground, which
exposes them to the depredations of the smaller
kinds of voracious animals, such as the weazel,
stoat, &c., which destroy great numbers of them.
The general characters of this genus are thus
described : — The bill is straight and slender,
bending a little towards the end, which is sharp-
pointed; the nostrils are partly covered with fea-
thers and bristles ; the tongue is cloven at the
end; tail somewhat forked; the toes divided to the
origin ; claw of the hinder toe very long, and
almost straight ; the fore claws very short, and
-slightly curved.

BRITISH BIRDS.

195

THE LARK.

SKY LARK, OR LAVROCK.

(Alauda Arirtisis, Linn. — ^lloucttc dcs champs,
Temm.)

LENGTH nearly seven inches. Bill dusky, under
mandible somewhat yellow ; eyes hazel ; over each
eye a pale streak, which extends to the bill, and
round the eye on the under side ; on the upper
parts of the body the feathers are of a reddish
brown colour, dark in the middle, with pale edges:
the fore part of the neck is reddish white, spotted
with brown; breast, belly, and thighs white; the
quills brown with pale edges; tail the same, and
somewhat forked, the two middle feathers darkest,
the outermost white on the outer edge; the legs
dusky. In some of our specimens the feathers on
the top of the head were long, and formed a sort
of crest behind. The Lesser Crested Lark of
Pennant and Latham is perhaps only a variety
of this bird.

1 96 BRITISH BIRDS.

The Lark begins its song very early in spring,
and is heard chiefly in the morning.* The great
poet of nature thus beautifully describes it as
the leader of the general chorus : —

"Up springs the Lark,

" Shrill- voic'd and loud, the messenger of morn;
" Ere yet the shadows fly, he, mounted, sings
"Amid the dawning clouds, and from their haunts
" Calls up the tuneful nations."

It rises in the air almost perpendicularly and by
successive springs, and hovers at a vast height ;
its descent, on the contrary, is in an oblique direc-
tion, unless it is threatened by birds of prey, or
attracted by its mate, and on these occasions it
drops like a stone. It makes its nest on the
ground, between two clods of earth, and lines it
with dried grass and roots; the female lays four
or five eggs, of a greyish brown, marked with
darker spots ; she generally has two broods in
the year, and sits only about fifteen days. As
soon as the young have escaped from the shell,
the attachment of the parent seems to increase;
she flutters over their heads, directs all their mo-
tions, and is ever ready to screen them from
danger.

The Lark is diffused almost universally through-
out Europe: it is every where extremely prolific,

* Shakespeare thus beautifully describes its rising: —

Lo ! hear the gentle Lark, weary of rest,
From his moist cabinet mounts up on high,
And wakes the morning, from whose silver breast
The sun ariseth in his majesty.

BRITISH BIRDS.

197

and in some places the prodigious numbers that
are frequently caught are truly astonishing. In
Germany there is an excise upon them, which has
produced, according to Keysler, the sum of 6000
dollars in one year to the city of Leipsic alone.
Pennant says, the neighbourhood of Dunstable
is famous for the great numbers of these birds
found there, and that 4000 dozen have been
taken between September and February, for the
London markets. Yet, notwithstanding the great
havoc made among these birds, they are extremely
numerous. The winter is deemed the best season
for taking them, as they are then very fat, being
almost constantly on the ground, feeding in great
ilocks ; whereas in summer they are very lean ;
they then always go in pairs, eat sparingly, and
sing incessantly while on the wing.

9 8 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE WOODLARK.

(Alauda Arborca, Linn. — Aloncttc lulu, Temm.

THIS bird is smaller than the Sky Lark: the
colours of its plumage are much the same ; a
-white streak passes from the bill over each eye
nearly to the nape : the under parts are white,,
tinged with yellow on the throat, and red on
the breast, and spotted with black. The tail is
shorter than that of other Larks, which gives this
bird a less tall and slender shape ; the legs are
dull yellow; the hinder claw very long, and some-
what curved.

The Woodlark is generally found near the bor-
ders of woods, from which it derives its name; it
perches on trees, and sings during the night, so
as sometimes to be mistaken for the Nightingale;
it likewise sings as it flies, and builds its nest on

BRITISH BIRDS. 199

the ground, similar to that of the Sky Lark. The
female lays five eggs of a dusky hue, marked with
brown spots. It builds very early, the young, in
some seasons, being able to fly about the latter
•end of March. It makes two nests in the year,
like the Sky Lark, but is not nearly so numerous
as that bird.

200 BRITISH BIRDS.

<3>f ft)c

THIS diminutive tribe is distinguished by a pe-
culiar sprightliness and vivacity, to which may be
added a degree of strength and courage, which by
no means agrees with its appearance. They are
perpetually in motion ; running with great celerity
along the branches of trees, searching in every
little cranny, where the eggs of insects are de-
posited, which are their favourite food. During
spring they are observed to be very busy among
the opening buds in search of caterpillars, and
are thus actively employed in preventing the mis-
chiefs that \vould arise from a too great increase
of destructive insects, whilst at the same time,
they are intent on the means of their own pre-
servation; they likewise eat small pieces of raw
meat, particularly fat, of which they are very fond.
None of this kind have been observed to migrate:
they sometimes make short flittings from place to
place in quest of food, but never entirely leave us.
They are very bold and daring, and will attack
birds much larger than themselves. Buffon says,
"they pursue the Owl with great fury, and in their
attacks aim chiefly at the eyes : their actions on
these occasions are attended with a swell of the
feathers, and a succession of violent attitudes and
rapid movements, which strongly mark the bit-
terness of their rage. They will sometimes attack
birds smaller and weaker than themselves, which
they kill, and having picked a hole in the skull,
they eat out the brains." The nests of most of

BRITISH BIRDS. 2OI

this kind are constructed with the most exquisite
art, and with materials of the utmost delicacy :
some species, with great sagacity, build them at
the extreme end of small branches projecting
over water, by which means they are effectually
secured from the attacks of serpents and the
smaller beasts of prey.

These birds are very widely spread over both
the old and the new continent. They are every
where prolific, even to a proverb, laying a great
number of eggs, which they attend with great
solicitude, and provide for their numerous pro-
geny with indefatigable activity.

All the Titmice are distinguished by short bills,
which are conical, a little flattened at the sides,
and very sharp-pointed ; by which they are ad-
mirably fitted by nature to pick up their prey,
which consists mostly of the eggs of insects, on
which they live all the winter season; the nostrils
are small and round, and generally covered by
short bristly feathers, reflected from the forehead;
the tongue seems as if cut off at the end, and ter-
minated by short filaments; the toes are divided
to their origin ; the back toe is very large and
strong.

VOL i. 2 c

202 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GREAT TITMOUSE.

OX-EYE.

(Farm Major , Linn. — JMcsaiigc charbonnttre, Temm.)

THE length of this bird is about five inches.
The bill and eyes are black, the head is covered
apparently with a sort of hood, of a fine deep
glossy black, which extends to the middle of the
neck; cheeks white; belly greenish yellow, divided
down the middle by a line of black reaching to the
vent; the back is of an olive green; the rump
bluish grey; quills dusky, the greater edged with
white, the lesser with pale green ; the wing coverts
are of a bluish ash ; the greater coverts tipped with
white, wrhich forms a bar across the wings; the tail
is black, the exterior edge of the outer feathers
white ; legs dark lead colour ; claws black.

The Titmouse begins to pair early in February;
the male and female consort for some time before
they make their nest, which is composed of the
softest and most downy materials. They build
generally in the hole of a wall or tree; and continue

BRITISH BIRDS. 203

to do so in the same place for many seasons, if not
disturbed: the female lays from eight to twelve
white eggs, spotted with rust colour. The young
brood continue blind for several days, after which
their growth is very rapid, and they are able to fly
in about fifteen days; after they have quitted the
nest they return no more to it, but perch on the
neighbouring trees, and incessantly call on each
other; they generally continue together till the
approach of spring invites them to pair. We kept
one of these birds in a cage for some time; it was
fed chiefly with hemp-seed, which, instead of break-
ing with its bill, like the Linnet, it held very
dexterously in its claws, and pecked it till it broke
the outside shell ; it likewise ate raw flesh, minced
small, and was extremely fond of flies, which, wrhen
held to the cage, it seized with great avidity ; it was
continually in motion during the day, and would,
for hours together, dart backwards and forwards
with astonishing activity. Its usual note was
strong and simple; it had besides, a more varied,
but very low, and not unpleasant song. During
the night it rested on the bottom of the cage.

204 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE COAL TITMOUSE.

(Pants . Lfci'y Linn. — Mcsaitgc petite charboniiicrc,
TemmO

THIS bird weighs only two drachms; length four
inches. Bill black, as are the head, throat, and
part of the breast; from the corner of the bill, on
each side, an irregular patch of white passes under
the eyes, extending to the sides of the neck; a spot
of the same occupies the hinder part of the head
and neck; the back and all the upper parts are
greenish ash; wing coverts tipped with white,
which forms two bars across the wing; under parts
reddish white: legs lead colour; tail somewhat
forked at the end. This species frequents hilly
woods, particularly those of the pine and fir, build-
ing in hollow trees, and laying eight or ten eggs of
a pure white, with a few reddish spots.

MKITISH I'.IKDS.

-205

THE BLUE TITMOUSE.

TOM-TIT, BLI'K-CAP, OR XIX.

(Par us Cccrulcits, Linn. — ^[csangc blcne, Temm.)

TUP: length of this beautiful bird is about four
inches and a half. Bill and eyes black; crown of
the head blue, terminated behind with a line of
dirty white; sides of the head white, underneath
which, from the throat to the hinder part of the
neck, is a line of dark blue; from the bill, on each
side a narrow line of black passes through the eyes;
the back is yellowish green: coverts blue, edged
with white; quills black, with pale blue edges;
tail blue, the two middle feathers longest; under
parts of the body pale yellow; legs and claws
black. The female is somewhat smaller than the
male, has less blue on the head, and her colours in
general are not so bright.

206 BRITISH BIRDS.

This busy little bird is seen frequently in our
gardens and orchards, where its operations are
much dreaded by the over anxious gardener, who
fears, that in its pursuit after its insect food, which
is often lodged in the tender buds, it may destroy
them also, to the injury of the future harvest, not
considering that it is the means of destroying a
much more dangerous enemy (the caterpillar),
which it finds there: it has likewise a strong pro-
pensity to flesh, and is said to pick the bones of
such small birds as it can master, as clean as
skeletons. The female builds her nest in holes of
walls or trees, which she lines well with feathers :
she lays from fourteen to twenty wrhite eggs spotted
Avith red. If her eggs should be touched, or one of
them be broken, she forsakes her nest and builds
again, but otherwise makes but one hatch in the
year. This bird is distinguished above all the rest
of the Titmice by its rancour against the Owl .

BRITISH BIRDS. 2OJ

THE CRESTED TITMOUSE.

(Pants CristatitS) Linn. — Mcsangc huppcc, Temm.)

THIS shy and solitary species is rather more
than four inches and a half in length. It is dis-
tinguished from the rest of the genus by having its
head ornamented with a peaked crest of black
feathers, narrowly margined with white; those
between the crest and the brow are of the same
colours, but the white greatly predominates. The
bill and irides are dusky ; the cheeks and sides of
the head and neck dull white; the chin, and fore
part of the neck to the breast, black: from thence
a line of the same branches off, and bounding the
white part of the neck, extends to the hinder part
of the head; the auriculars, with the exception of
a white spot in the middle, are black, and form a
patch, which is pointed off towards the nape; the

208 BRITISH BIRDS.

back and coverts are rusty dull brown; the quills
and tail nearly the same, but more deeply tinged
with rust colour; the breast, belly, and sides also
partake of the same colours, but are much paler:
the legs are lead colour.

Some of the species are said to have been met
with in Scotland, but are considered rare visitants.
They take up their abode in the deep recesses of
forests, in various parts of the continent of Europe,
and prefer the shelter of evergreen trees; but from
their being of so retired a disposition, they are
seldom seen there, even by the few whose business
may lead them into those gloomy wilds. The
above figure was made from a preserved specimen
obligingly lent to this work by the Hon. H. T.
Liddell, of Ravensworth Castle.

BRITISH BIRDS.

209

THE MARSH TITMOUSE.

BLACK-CAPPED TITMOUSE.

v Parus Palustris, Linn. — Mesange nonncttc, Temm.)

LENGTH somewhat short of five inches. Bill
black; the whole crown of the head, and part of
the neck behind, deep black; a broad streak, of a
yellowish white, passes from the beak, underneath
the eye, backwards ; throat black : breast, belly, and
sides dirty white ; back ash-grey ; quill feathers
dusky, with pale edges : tail dusky ; legs dark
lead grey.

The Marsh Titmouse is said to be fond of wasps,
bees, and other insects, and to lay up a little store
of seeds against a season of want. It frequents
marshy places, whence it derives its name. Its
manners are similar to those of the Coal Titmouse,
and it is equally prolific.

VOL.

2 D

210 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE.

(Par us Caudatus, Linn. — Mcsange a longuc queue ,
Temm.)

LENGTH nearly five inches and a half, of which
the tail itself is rather more than three inches. Its
bill is very short and black; eyes hazel; orbits
red ; top of the head white, mixed with grey : over
each eye there is a broad black band, which ex-
tends backwards, and unites on the hinder part of
the head, whence it passes down the back to the
rump, bordered on each side with dull red; the
cheeks, throat, and breast are white ; the belly,
sides, rump, and vent dull rose colour, mixed with
white; the coverts of the wings are black, those
next the body white, edged with rose colour; quills
dusky, with pale edges : the tail consists of feathers
of very unequal lengths; the four middle ones are
wholly black, the others white on the exterior
edge; legs and claws black.

The foregoing figure was taken from one newly
shot. There was a preserved specimen in the Wy-
cliffe Museum, in which the black band through

BRITISH BIRDS. 2 I I

the eyes was wholly wanting"; the back of the neck
was black: the back, sides, and thighs were red-
dish brown, mixed with white: it probably was a
female.

The nest of this bird is singularly curious and
elegant, of a long oval form, with a small hole in
the side, near the top, as an entrance; the outside
is formed of moss, woven or matted together with
the silken shrouds of the aurelia of insects, and
covered all over with the tree and the stone lichens,
fixed with fine threads of the same silken material:
from this thatch the rain trickles off without pene-
trating, whilst from its similarity in colour and
appearance to the bark of the branch on which it
is commonly placed, it is not easily discovered : the
inside is thickly lined with a profusion of feathers,*
the soft webs of which are all laid inwards, with
the quills or points stuck into the outward fabric.
In this comfortable mansion the female deposits
her eggs, to the number of sixteen or seventeen,
which are concealed almost entirely among the
feathers: they are about the size of a large pea,
and perfectly white,! but take a fine red blush
from the transparency of the shell, which shews
the yolk. This bird is not uncommon with us ;
its habits and places of resort are the same as
those of the other Titmice. It flies very swiftly,
and from its slender shape, and the great length
of its tail, it seems like a dart shooting through

* In some places the nest is called a feather-poke.

f Eggs taken out of the same nest differ; some are delicately
freckled with red spots. The difference of the eggs in the same
nest is not uncommon.

212 BRITISH BIRDS.

the air. It is almost constantly in motion, run-
ning up and down the branches of trees with
great facility. The young1 continue with the pa-
rents, and form litle flocks through the winter:
they utter a small shrill cry, only as a call, but
in the spring their notes become more musical.

The Long-tailed Titmouse is found in the nor-
thern regions of Europe, and from the thickness
of its coat, seems well calculated to bear the
rigours of a severe climate. Latham says that
it has been brought from Jamaica; and observes,
that it appeared as fully clothed as in the coldest
regions.

BRITISH BIRDS. 213

THE BEARDED TITMOUSE.

(Parus Bianniciis, Linn. — Mesaugc moustache,
Temm.)

LENGTH somewhat more than six inches. The
bill is orange, but so delicate that it changes on
the death of the bird to a dingy yellow; eyes also
orange ; head and back part of the neck pearl grey,
or light ash; on each side of the head, from the
eye, there is a black mark extending downwards
on the neck, and ending in a point, not unlike a
mustachio ; the throat and fore part of the neck
are silvery white; the back, rump, and tail light
rust colour, as are the belly, sides, and thighs ;
the breast is delicate flesh colour; the vent black;
lesser coverts of the wings dusky, the greater rusty,
with pale edges; the quills are dusky, edged with
white, those next the body with rusty on the exte-
rior web, and with white on the inner; the bastard
wing is dusky, edged and tipped with white : legs

214 BRITISH BIRDS.

black. The female wants the black mark on each
side of the head; the crown of the head is rust
colour, spotted with black; the vent feathers not
black, but of the same colour as the belly.

The Bearded Titmouse is found chiefly in the
southern parts of the kingdom ; it frequents marshy
places where reeds grow, on the seeds of which it
feeds; it breeds there, though its minute history
is imperfectly known. It is said that they were
first brought to this country from Denmark, by the
Countess of Albemarle, and that some of them,
having made their escape, founded a colony here ;
but Latham, with great probability, supposes that
they are ours ab ortginc, and that it is owing to
their frequenting the places where reeds grow,
and which are not easily accessible, that so little
is known of them. Edwards gives a figure of this
bird, and describes it under the name of the Least
Butcher Bird.

BRITISH BIRDS. 215

(|)f fl)c Bunting.

THE principal difference between this kind and
the Finch, consists in the formation of the bill,
which in the Bunting is of a very singular con-
struction. The two mandibles are moveable, and
the edges of each bend inwards; the opening of
the mouth is not in a straight line as in other
birds, but at the base the junction is formed by
an obtuse angle in the lower mandible, nearly
one-third of its length, which is received by a
corresponding" angle in the upper one ; in the
latter there is a strong knob, of great use in
breaking the harder kinds of seeds and kernels,
on which it feeds. The tongue is narrow, and
tapers to a point like a tooth-pick; the first joint
of the outer toe is joined to that of the middle
one.

2l6 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE YELLOW BUNTING.

YELLOW HAMMER, OR YKLLOW YOWLEY.

( Ember iza Citrinella, Linn. — Bruant jaunty Temm.)

LENGTH somewhat above six inches. Bill dusky;
eyes hazel; the prevailing colour is yellow, mixed
with brown of various shades; the crown of the
head in general is bright yellow, more or less va-
riegated with brown ; the cheeks, throat, and lower
part of the belly pure yellow; the breast reddish,
and the sides dashed with streaks of the same; the
hinder part of the neck and back are greenish
olive ; the greater quills dusky, edged with pale
yellow; lesser quills and scapulars dark brown,
edged with grey: the tail is dusky, and a little
forked, the feathers edged with light brown, the
outermost with white; the legs yellowish brown.
It is somewhat difficult to describe a species of

BRITISH BIRDS. 217

bird of which no two are to be found perfectly
similar, but its specific characters are plain, and
cannot easily be mistaken. The colours of the
female are less bright than those of the male,
with very little yellow about the head.

This bird is common in every lane and on every
hedge throughout the country, flitting before the
traveller as he passes along the road, or uttering
its simple and frequently repeated monotone on
the hedges by the way side. It feeds on various
kinds of seeds, insects, &c. The female makes an
artless nest, composed of hay, dried roots, and
moss, lined with hair and wool : she lays four or
five eggs, marked with dark irregular streaks, and
frequently has more than one brood in the season.
In Italy, where small birds of almost every de-
scription are made use of for the table, this is
esteemed very good eating, and is frequently
fattened for that purpose like the Ortolan: but
with us, who are accustomed to grosser kinds of
food, it is considered too insignificant to form any
part of our repasts.

VOL. i. 2 E

2l8 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE BUNTING.
(Ernberiza Miliaria^ Linn. — Bniant proycry Temm.)

THE length of this bird is about seven inches
and a half. The bill is brown; irides hazel; the
general colour resembles that of a Lark; the throat
white, the upper parts olive brown, each feather
streaked down the middle with black; the under
parts are dirty yellowish white, streaked on the
sides with dark brown, and spotted with the same
on the breast; the quills dusky, with yellowish
edges; upper coverts tipped with white; tail
feathers much the same as the wings, and some-
what forked ; legs pale brown.

The Bunting is very common in all parts of the
country, and may be frequently observed on the
highest part of a hedge, or uppermost branch of a
tree, uttering its harsh and dissonant cry, at short
intervals; they are heard and seen in these situa-
tions during the greater part of summer, after

BRITISH BIRDS. 219

which they are met with in flocks, and continue so
during winter: they are often shot in great num-
bers, or caught in nets; and from the similarity
of their plumage, are not unfrequently sold for
Larks. The female makes her nest among the
thick grass, a little elevated above the ground;
she lays five or six eggs. Buffon observes, that in
France the Bunting is seldom seen during winter,
but that it arrives soon after the Swallow, and
spreads itself through almost every part of Europe.
Their food consists chiefly of grain ; they likewise
eat the various kinds of insects which they find in
the fields and meadows.

220 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE BLACK-HEADED BUNTING.

REED BUNTING.

( Ember iza Schccm'clus, Linn. — Bruatit dc roseauxy
Temm.)

THIS is less than the Yellow Bunting. The eyes
are hazel ; the head, throat, fore part of the neck,
and breast, are black, excepting a white line from
each corner of the bill, passing downward a little,
and forming a border which reaches the back part
of the neck; the upper parts of the body and the
wings are reddish brown, with a streak of black
down the middle of each feather; the under part of
the body is white, with brownish streaks on the
sides; the rump and upper tail coverts bluish ash,
mixed with brown ; the quills are dusky, edged
with brown; the two middle feathers of the tail are
black, with pale brown edges; the rest wholly
black, except the two outer ones, which are almost
white, the ends tipped with brown, and the bases
black; the legs reddish, toes dusky brown. The
female has no collar: her throat is not so black,,

BRITISH BIRDS. 221

and her head is variegated with black and rust
colour; the white on her under parts is not so
pure, but of a reddish cast.

Birds of this species frequent fens and marshy
places, where there is abundance of rushes, among*
which they nestle. The nest is composed of dry
grass, and lined with the soft down of the reed; it
is fixed with great art between four reed stalks,
two on each side, almost close to each other, and
about three feet above the water. The female lays
four or five eggs, pale bluish white, veined irre-
gularly with purple, principally at the larger end.
•As its chief resort is among reeds, it is supposed
that the seeds of that plant are its principal food:
it is however frequently seen in the higher grounds
near the roads, and sometimes in corn fields.
They keep near the ground, and seldom perch
except among the low bushes. The male, during
the time of hatching, has a soft, melodious, warb-
ling song, whilst he sits perched among the reeds,
and is frequently heard in the night time. It is a
watchful, timorous bird, and very easily alarmed;
in captivity it sings but little, and only when per-
fectly undisturbed.

They are said to be migratory in France; with
us they remain the whole year, and are seldom
seen in flocks of more than three or four together.
That from which the foregoing figure was taken,
was caught during a severe storm in the middle of
winter.

222

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE ORTOLAN BUNTING.

(Emberiza Hortulanay Linn. — B nun it ortolan^
Temm.)

THE crew of a collier vessel caught this bird at
sea, as it was making its way to the shore, on the
Yorkshire coast, after a severe storm of wind in
the month of May, 1822. It lived a short time
after it was brought to land, and was lent to this
work by G. T. Fox, Esq., and is now in the
Museum of the Literary and Philosophical Society
of Newcastle. It is about the size of the Yellow
Bunting. The bill dark reddish; the head and
neck, as far as the breast, pale olive green, slightly
powdered with pale ash-grey. The chin and throat
are pale greenish yellow; a streak of the same
colour falls down from the corners of the lower
mandibles, before the auriculars. The breast and
belly are of a light rusty chesnut; the vent and

BRITISH BIRDS.

22.

under coverts of the tail, the same, but of a paler
or more dingy cast; the feathers on the back,
scapulars, and greater and lesser coverts are very
dark brown in the middle, but the rest of the webs
are much lighter and of a rusty brown ; the lower
part of the back and upper coverts of the tail are
also of the latter colour; the quills and tail feathers
are deepish brown; the former edged with light
brown: middle tail feathers the same; the rest
plain, and the outer feathers are somewhat longer
than the middle ones. The legs reddish yellow.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE CIRL BUNTING.

(Embcriza Cirlus, Linn. — Bruant zizi ou dc hate,
Temm.)

LENGTH above six inches. Bill brown; the chin
and throat dull black; upper part of the head and
hinder part of the neck olive green; each feather
streaked to the tip with dusky lines ; the sides of
the neck and breast yellowish green; the eyes are
placed in a dusky line; a yellow streak passes
above and beneath them; the auriculars are of the
latter colour ; from behind these a yellow gorget
falls down over the forepart of the neck to the
breast; back and scapulars reddish bay, which is
spread over each side of the lower part of the
breast ; the feathers of the first are slightly streaked
and tipped with dusky, and all edged with a lighter
shade; the lesser coverts are ash-grey; the greater
partake of that colour, but are tinged on the outer

BRITISH BIRDS. 225

webs with pale brown, and on the inner with
dusky; the quills and tail dusky, with pale edges;
the two outside feathers of the latter are the long-
est, and their inner webs have each a stripe of
white from a part of their shafts to their tips; the
belly is yellow, with some dusky stripes towards
the sides; the legs are tinged with pale reddish
brown.

Latham says that these birds are found only in
the warmer parts of France and Italy, but Montagu
made them out to be British birds. Our figure is
from a well preserved specimen presented to the
Newcastle Museum, by Mr. Henry Mewburn, of St.
German's, Cornwall, where it was shot in 1822.
This gentleman has besides ascertained that they
breed in that neighbourhood, frequenting woods
and high trees, and like the Common Bunting,
generally perching near the top. They lay four
or five greyish eggs, spotted and streaked with
black.

It would appear that the Cirl is now spreading
over the country. A pair, male and female, were
shot November 28th, 1826, under the walls of Old
Sarum Castle, and two other pairs were killed near
Amesbury, Wilts. (Communicated by the Rev.
G. T. Rudd, Kimpton Rectory.)

VOL. I. 2 F

226

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SNOW BUNTING.

SNOWFLAKE.

(Emberiza Nivalis, Linn. — Bruant de neigc, Temm.y

LENGTH nearly seven inches. Bill and eyes
black; in summer the head, neck, coverts of the
wings, rump, and all the under parts of the body
are as white as snow, with a light tint of rusty
colour on the hinder part of the head; the back
and scapulars are black, fringed with white; the
bastard wings black; the lesser coverts and the
ends of the greater coverts white ; the prime quills
are black, secondaries white, with a black spot on
their inner webs ; middle feathers of the tail black,
the three outer ones white, with a dusky striped
spot near the ends, legs black. In winter it is
different; the head, neck, and under parts of the
body are marked with transverse waves of a rusty
colour, of various shades, but never so deep as in

BRITISH BIRDS. 227

the female, in which this is the predominant colour;
the white likewise upon the under parts of her
body is less pure than that of the male. This is
the description of an individual, but hardly two of
them are alike.

Countries the most northerly, are, during the
summer months, the favourite abodes of this hardy
bird. With us it is chiefly met with in the
northern parts of the island, where it is called the
Snowflake; it appears in great flocks in the snowy
season, and is said to be the certain harbinger of
severe weather, which drives it from its usual
haunts. This bird has been caught in various
parts of Yorkshire, and is frequently met with in
Northumberland: it is found in all the northern
latitudes without exception, as far as our navigators
have been able to penetrate. Great flocks have
been seen upon the ice near the shores of Spitz-
bergen. They are known to breed in Norway,
Iceland, and on the west coast of Greenland, at
Hare Island. They were also found to be very
numerous in the North Georgian Islands, where
they are amongst the earliest arrivals. They have
been kept in cages for two or three years, and feed
freely on white bird seed. The female makes her
nest in fissures of the rocks; the outside is com-
posed of grass, within which is a layer of feathers,
and the down of the arctic fox composes the lining
of the comfortable little mansion; she lays five
white eggs, spotted with brown.

These birds do not perch, but continue always-
on the ground, and run about like Larks, to which
they are similar in size, manners, and in the length
of their hinder claws, whence they have been

228

BRITISH BIRDS.

ranged with birds of that class by some authors,
but are now with more propriety referred to the
Buntings, from the peculiar structure of the bill.
They are said to sing sweetly, sitting on the
ground. On their first arrival in this country they
are very lean; but soon grow fat, and are con-
sidered delicious food. The Highlands of Scotland
abound with them.

BRITISH BIRDS.

22C)

THE SNOW BUNTING.

WINTER PLUMAGE.

BILL short, yellow, and blackish at the tip;
crown of the head tawny; forehead chesnut; hinder
part of the neck and cheeks the same, but paler;
throat, sides of the neck, and space round the eyes
dirty white; breast dull yellow; under parts white,
in some tinged with yellow; the back and scapulars
black, edged with reddish brown; quill feathers
dusky, edged with white ; secondaries white on the
outer edges; greater coverts black, tipped with
white, which, when the wing is closed, forms a
patch of that colour upon it; upper tail coverts
yellow; tail a little forked, the two outermost
feathers white, the third black, tipped with wThite,
the rest wholly black; legs short and black; hinder
claws almost as long, but more bent than those

230

BRITISH BIRDS.

of the Lark. The foregoing figure an'd description
were taken from a bird which was caught in the
high moory grounds above Shotley-Kirk, North-
umberland.

In former editions this bird has been described
as the Tawny Bunting, but is now found to be
the Snow Bunting (Emberiza nivalis), in winter
plumage.

BRITISH BIRDS.

231

THE PARROT CROSS BILL.

(Loxia Pity ops ittacus, Bechst. — Bec-croise per roquet,
Temm.)

THE above figure was taken from a preserved
specimen obligingly lent to this work by Sir
William Jardine, Bart. The bird was shot in
Ross-shire, in 1822. In Mr. Selby's splendid work
on Ornithology, so creditable to his zeal in the
cause of science, this bird occupies a distinct place,
agreeably to M. Temminck's arrangement. The
bill is dark horn colour; irides hazel: the pre-
dominant colour is red, rather clouded on the back,
and more or less mixed with green on the breast,
belly, and vent ; ' hinder part of the neck is mixed
with dark ash; the wings and tail dusky, each
feather distinctly edged either with a pale colour,
or with pale green; the legs and toes dusky; claws

232 BRITISH BIRDS.

hooked, and rather strong. Scarcely two of these
birds are alike in plumage, the crossings of their
bills also vary in different individuals; some of
them being crossed over to the right, and others
to the left side. They chiefly inhabit the coun-
tries within the arctic circle, where the greater
number remain to breed. In winter they spread
themselves over the great pine forests of Poland,
Prussia, and Germany, and return to the north
in summer. In France and Holland, it is a bird
of passage. Its food is the seeds of the pine and
alder.

BRITISH BIRDS.

233

THE CROSS-BILL.

SHELL-APPLE.

(Loxia Curvirostra, Linn. — Bcc Croise dcs pins,
Temm.)

Is about the size of a Lark, being nearly seven
inches in length. It is distinguished by the pecu-
liar formation of its bill, the upper and under man-
dibles curving in opposite directions, and crossing
each other near the points; its eyes are hazel; the
general colour is reddish, mixed with brown on
the upper parts; the under parts are considerably
paler, being almost white at the belly and vent.;
the wings are short, not reaching farther than the
tail coverts, and brown; the tail is of the same
colour, and somewhat forked; legs black. Indivi-
duals vary in the colours of their plumage; among

VOL. i. 2 G

734 BRITISH BIRDS.

a great number hardly two are exactly similar;
they likewise vary with the season, and according
to the age of the bird. Edwards paints the male
bird of a rose colour, and the female of a yellowish
green, mixed more or less with brown. Both sexes
appear very different at different times of the year.
The Cross-bill is an inhabitant of the colder cli-
mates, and has been found as far north as Green-
land. It breeds in Russia, Sweden, Poland, and
Germany, in the mountains of Switzerland, and
among the Alps and Pyrenees, whence it migrates
in vast flocks into other countries. It sometimes is
met with in great numbers in this country, but its
visits are not regular,* as in some years it is rarely

* We have met with it on the top of Blackstone-edge, between
Rochdale and Halifax, in the month of August. Mr. Dovaston
informs us many hundreds visited England in flights of about
20, 30, or more, in 1821 ; he first observed them early in August at
Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, and other places.

" In 1254, in the fruit season, certain wonderful birds, which had
never before been seen in England, appeared, chiefly in the orchards.
They were a little bigger than Larks, and eat the pippins of the
apples [pomorum grana], but no other part of them, on which
account they were extremely prejudicial, as they deprived the trees
of their fruit. They had the parts of the beak crossed [cancellatas~i
by which they divided the apples as with a forceps or knife. The
parts of the apples which they left were as if they had been infected
with poison." — Matt. Paris, p. 824.

The following account is given by the author of Additions to the
Addittamenta of Matt. Paris, to whom it was supplied by Sir Roger
Twysden, Baronet : —

"Memorandum, that in the apple season in 1593, an immense
multitude of unknown birds came into England, and though the
fruit was then pretty well ripened, they entirely neglected its pulp,
swallowing nothing but the pippins [granella ipsa sive acinos], and
for the purpose of dividing the apple, their beaks were admirably

BRITISH BIRDS. 235

to be seen. Its principal food is said to be the
-seeds of the pine tree; it is observed to hold the
cone in one claw like the Parrot, and when kept in
a cage, has all the actions of that bird, climbing,
by means of its hooked bill, from the lower to the
upper bars of its cage. From its mode of scramb-
ling, and the beauty of its colours, it has been
called by some the German Parrot. The female is
said to begin to build as early as January; she
places her nest under the bare branches of the
pine, fixing it with the resinous matter which
exudes from that tree, and besmearing it on the
outside with the same substance, so that the melted
.snow or rain cannot penetrate it.

adapted by nature, for they turn back, and strike one point upon the
other, so as to show the extremity of the hooks, or rather of the
transverse sickles, one turned past the other. Indeed (and what is a
rare thing to be observed) in the males the hooked point of the
upper bill is curved downwards upon the lower; whereas in the
female the inferior point bends upwards upon the other. The size of
the body is about that of the Linnet or Bullfinch. The female
is of the colour of the female Bullfinch. The males have very
strong and very beautiful feathers, most part of the breast, the
back, and the head being either of a pleasing yellow or an elegant
red. Nobody had seen such birds, or had heard of them from the
oldest persons; and what in them is chiefly to be admired, they were
so tame, gentle, and innocent, that they seemed to have flown hither
from some desert wholly uninhabited by man, for they were not
affrighted till they had been once driven off. They suffered them-
selves patiently to be attacked with slings and cross-bows, never
thinking of flying off till some of them, stricken by stones, or apples,
or leaden bullets, fell dead from the trees. Their flesh was suffi-
ciently savoury and delicate. Finally, whether they came here in
quest of the food they lived upon or not, as soon as the apples
were gone they all disappeared, but no one knows whither they
went." — Vit. 2 Offar., &c., p. 262.

236 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE PINE GROSBEAK.

GREATEST BULLFINCH.

(Pyrrhula Emtcleator, Temm. — Bouvrciril dur-bccy
Temm.)

LENGTH nine inches. Bill dusky, very stout at
the base, and somewhat hooked at the tip; head,
neck, breast, rump, and sides rose-coloured crim-
son ; back and wing coverts deep brown, each
feather edged with pale reddish brown; and the
greater and lesser coverts tipped with dull white,
forming a bar on the wing; the quills are nearly
black, with pale edges ; the secondaries the same,
but edged with white ; the belly and vent are
straw-coloured; the tail is marked as the quills,
and is somewhat forked; the legs are brown.

BRITISH BIRDS. 237

They are found only in the northern parts of this
island and of Europe; are common in various parts
of North America, visiting- the southern settlements
in the winter, and retiring- northwards in the sum-
mer to breed : like the Cross-bill, they frequent
pine forests, and feed on the seeds of that tree.
They build on trees, at a small distance from the
ground, and lay four white eg-gs, which are hatched
in June.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE BULLFINCH.

ALP, OR NOPE.

(Pyrrhula Vulgaris, Temm. — Bouvreutl coinuiuu
Temm.)

THE bill is dusky; eyes black; the upper part of
the head, the ring round the bill, and the origin of
the neck fine glossy black;* the back ash-grey;
breast and belly red; wings and tail black; the
upper tail coverts and vent are white; legs dark
brown. The female is very like the male, but the
colours are less bright, and the under parts of a
reddish brown. t

This bird is common in every part of our island,
as well as in most parts of Europe; its usual

* Hence in some countries it is called Monk or Pope, and in
Scotland it is not improperly denominated Coally-hood.

t The Bullfinch sometimes changes its plumage, and becomes
wholly black during its confinement, especially when feed with hemp
seed. In the British Museum there is a variety of the Bullfinch
entirely white: we have seen others in the same plumage.

BRITISH BIRDS. 239

haunts, during summer, are woods and thickets,
but in winter it approaches nearer to cultivated
grounds, and feeds on seeds, winter berries, &c. :
in the spring it frequents gardens, where it is
usefully busy in destroying the worms which are
lodged in the tender buds. The female makes her
nest in bushes; it is composed chiefly of moss;
she lays five or six eggs, of a dull bluish white,
marked at the larger end with dark spots. In a
wild state, its note is very simple; but when kept
in a cage, its song, though in an under subdued
tone, is far from being unpleasant. Both male and
female may be taught to whistle a variety of tunes.
They are frequently imported into this country
from Germany, where they are taught to articulate,
with great distinctness, several words.

240

BRITISH BIRDS.

OF this family many are distinguished as well
for the liveliness of their song, as for the beauty
and variety of their plumage, on which account
they are much esteemed. They are very numerous,
and assemble sometimes in immense flocks, feed-
ing on various kinds of seeds and grain, as well as
on insects and their eggs. The beak of- the Finch
is conical, very thick at the base, and tapering to a
sharp point.

BRITISH BIRDS. 241

THE GROSBEAK.

HAWFINCH.

(Fringilla Coccothra-ustes, Temm. — Gros-bec vulgatre,
Temm.j

LENGTH nearly seven inches. Bill of a horn
colour, conical, and prodigiously thick at the base;
eyes ash-grey;, the space between the bill and the
eye, and thence to the chin and throat, is black;
the top of the head reddish chesnut, as are also
the cheeks, but somewhat paler, back part of the
neck greyish ash ; the back and lesser wing coverts
chesnut; the greater wing coverts grey, in some
almost white, forming a band across the wing; the
quills are all black, excepting some of the second-
aries nearest the body, which are brown; the four
outer quills seem as if clipped off at the ends; the
primaries have each a spot of white about the
middle of the inner web; breast and belly pale

VOL I. 2 H

2_|2 BRITISH BIRDS.

rusty, fading almost to white at the vent; the tail
is slightly forked, the outside feathers are black at
the base and tipped with white; the two middle
feathers are a little shorter than the others, and of
a greyish brown; legs pale brown. The female
greatly resembles the male, but her colours are
less vivid, and the space between the bill and the
eye is grey instead of black.

This species is an inhabitant of the temperate
climates, from Spain, Italy, and France, as far as
Sweden. It breeds in this country, but is no where
numerous. Buffon says it is a shy and solitary
bird, with little or no song; it generally inhabits
the woods during summer, and in winter resorts
near the hamlets and farms. The female builds
her nest in trees, of small twigs mixed with white
lichens. The eggs are of an oval form, streaked
and spotted with bluish black on a greyish ground.
She feeds her young with insects, chrysalids, and
other soft nutritious substances.

BRITISH BIRDS.

243

THE GREEN GROSBEAK.

GREEN FINCH, OR GREEN LINNET.

(Fringilla Chloris, Temm. — Gros-bcc verdier^
Temm.)

THE bill is of a pale reddish brown, or flesh
colour; eyes dark; plumage in general yellowish
green ; the top of the head, neck, back, and lesser
coverts olive green; the greater coverts and outer
edges of the secondary quills ash-grey; vent and
tail coverts the same, dashed with yellow; rump
yellow.

These birds are common in every part of Great
Britain. They do not migrate, but change their
quarters according to the season of the year.
They keep together in small flocks during the
extremity of winter, when they draw to the shelter
of villages and farm yards, and disperse to breed
in the spring. The female makes her nest in trees,

244

BRITISH BIRDS.

hedges, or low bushes; it is composed of dry grass,
and lined with hair, wool, and other warm mate-
rials ; she lays five or six eggs, of a pale greenish
colour, marked at the larger end with spots of a
reddish brown ; she is so close a sitter during the
time of incubation, that she may sometimes be
taken on her nest. The male is very attentive to
her during that time, and takes his turn in sit-
ting. Though not distinguished for its note,
which is short, plaintive, and monotonous, this
bird is sometimes kept in a cage, and soon be-
comes familiar.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SPARROW.

{Fringilla Domcstica, Linn. — Gros-bcc moineau,
Temm.)

THE length of this bird is five inches and three-
quarters: bill dusky, eyes hazel; the top of the
head and back part of the neck ash-grey; the
throat, fore part of the neck, and space round the
eyes black; the cheeks whitish; the breast and all
the under parts pale ash; the back, scapulars, and
wing coverts are reddish brown, mixed with black
—the latter tipped with white, forming a light bar
across the wing; the quills are dusky, with reddish
edges; tail brown, edged with grey, and a little
forked; legs pale brown. The female is distin-
guished from the male by wanting the black patch
on the throat, and by having a little streak behind
each eye; her whole plumage is also much plainer
and duller.

246 BRITISH BIRDS.

This bird, as seen in large smoky towns, is gen-
erally dirty and unpleasant in its appearance; but
among barns and stack-yards the cock bird ex-
hibits an agreeable variety in his plumage, and is
far from being the least beautiful of British birds.

The Sparrow is subject to great varieties of
colour: in the British Museum there are several
white ones, with yellow eyes and bills, others more
or less mixed with brown, and some entirely black.
A pair of white Sparrows were sent to this work,
by Raleigh Trevelyan, Esq., of Netherwitton.

In no country is the Sparrow found in desert
places, or at a distance from the dwellings of man.
It does not, like other birds, shelter itself in woods
and forests, or seek its subsistence in uninhabited
plains, but is a resident in towns and villages; it
follows society, and lives at its expence: granaries,
barns, court-yards, pigeon-houses, and, in short,
all places where grain is scattered, being its
favourite resorts. Count de Buifon says, "It is ex-
tremely destructive, its plumage is entirely useless,
its flesh indifferent food, its notes are grating to
the ear, and its familiarity and petulance disgust-
ing." But let us not condemn a whole species,
because we have in some instances, found them
troublesome or inconvenient. The uses to which
they are subservient, in the grand economy of na-
ture, we cannot so easily ascertain.* We have
already observed, that, in the destruction of cater-
pillars, they are eminently serviceable to vegeta-
tion, and in this respect alone, there is reason to

* Buffon says the number of caterpillars a pair of Sparrows will
destroy in feeding their young, amounts to about 4000 weekly.

BRITISH BIRDS. 247

suppose, sufficiently repay the trivial damage they
may make either in the garden or the field. The
great table of nature is spread out alike to all, and
is amply stored with every thing necessary for the
support of the various families of the earth; it is
owing to the superior intelligence and industry of
man, that he is enabled to appropriate so large a
portion of the best gifts of Providence to his own
subsistence and comfort; let him not then grudge
their pittance, nor think it waste, that, in some
instances, creatures inferior in rank are permitted
to partake ; but, considering them only as the
tasters of his full meal, let him endeavour to
imitate their cheerfulness, and lift up his heart in
grateful effusions to HIM "who filleth all things
living with plenteousness."

The Sparrow never leaves us, but is familiar to
the eye at all times, even in the most crowded
and busy parts of the town ; they build under the
eaves of houses, in holes of walls, and often about
churches. The nest is made of hay, carelessly put
together, and lined with feathers. The female lays
five or six eggs, of a reddish white, spotted with
brown ; she has generally three broods in the year,
whence the multiplication of the species must be
great. In autumn large flocks of them are seen
every where, both in town and country. Though
familiar, the Sparrow is a crafty bird, easily dis-
tinguishing the snares laid to entrap it; they often
mix with other birds, and not unfrequently partake
with the Pigeons or the poultry, in spite of every
precaution to prevent them.

248 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE MOUNTAIN SPARROW.

TREE SPARROW.

(Fringilla Montana, Linn. — Gros-bcc friquct Temm.)

THIS bird is somewhat less than the common
Sparrow. Bill black; eyes hazel; the crown of the
head and hinder part of the neck chesnut brown ;
sides of the head white; throat and auriculars
black; on the upper plumage the middle of the
feathers are dusky, edged with rusty brown; the
breast and under parts dirty white; quills black,
with reddish edges, as are also the greater coverts ;
the lesser coverts black, edged with bay, and
crossed with two white bars; the tail is reddish
brown, and even at the end; legs pale yellow.

This species is much more plentiful on the con-
tinent than in England, where it is seldom seen
further north than Yorkshire; it differs from the
House Sparrow in making its nest in the holes of
trees far from towns or villages. It feeds on fruits,
seeds, and insects. It is a lively, active bird, and,
when it alights, has a variety of motions, whirling
about and jerking its tail upwards and downwards,
like the Wagtail.

BRITISH BIRDS.

249

THE CHAFFINCH.

SHILFA, SCOBBY, SKELLY, OR SHELL-APPLE.

(Frujgilla Ccelcbs, Linn. — Gros-bec pirnou, Temm.)

THE bill is pale blue, tipped with black; eyes
hazel; forehead black; the crown of the head, and
the hinder part and sides of the neck bluish ash;
sides of the head, throat, fore part of the neck, and
the breast vinaceous red; belly, thighs, and vent
white, slightly tinged \vith red; the back is red-
dish brown, changing to green on the rump; both
greater and lesser coverts are dusky, tipped with
white, forming two pretty large bars across the
wing; the bastard wing and quill feathers are
black, edged with yellow ; the tail is a little
forked, and black, the outermost feather edged
with white; legs brown. The female wants the
red upon the breast; her plumage in general is
not so vivid, and inclines to green; in other re-
spects it is not much unlike that of the male.

This beautiful bird is every where well known;
it begins its short and frequently-repeated song

VOL I.

2 I

250 BRITISH BIRDS.

early in spring, and continues it till about the
summer solstice, after Avhich it is no more heard.
It is a lively bird, which with its elegant plumage,
has given rise to the proverb, "as gay as a Chaf-
finch" The nest is remarkably neat and com-
pact, and constructed with much art, of small
fibres, roots, and moss, and lined with wool, hair,
and feathers ; the female generally lays five or
six eggs, slightly blushed with red, and sprinkled
with dark spots, principally at the larger end.
The male is very assiduous in his attendance
during the time of hatching, seldom straying far,
and then only to procure food. Chaffinches sub-
sist chiefly on small seeds ; likewise on caterpil-
lars and insects, with which they also feed their
young. They are seldom kept in cages, as their
song possesses no variety, and they are not apt
in learning the notes of other birds. The males
frequently maintain obstinate combats, and fight
till one of them is vanquished. In Sweden these
birds perform a partial migration ; the females
collect in vast flocks in the latter end of Septem-
ber, and, leaving their mates, spread themselves
through the various parts of Europe; the males
continue in Sweden, and are again joined by their
females, who return about the beginning of April.
In the north of England, both males and females
remain the whole year. White, in his history of
Selborne, observes that great flocks appear in that
neighbourhood about Christmas, and that they are
almost entirely hens. It would appear that such
a habit is not peculiar to this bird, many others
doing the same.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE MOUNTAIN FINCH.

BKAMBI.IXG.

(Fringilla Montifringilla, Linn. — Gros-bcc dcs
Ar den nes , Temm.)

LENGTH somewhat above six inches. Bill yel-
low, blackish at the tip; eyes hazel; the feathers
on the head, neck, and back are black, edged with
rusty brown; sides of the neck, just above the
wings, blue ash; rump white; throat, fore part of
the neck, and breast, pale orange; belly wrhite;
lesser wing coverts pale reddish brown, edged with
white; greater coverts black, tipped with pale yel-
low; quills dusky, with pale yellowish edges; the
tail is forked, the outermost feathers edged with
white, the rest black, with whitish edges ; legs pale
forown.

252 BRITISH BIRDS.

The Mountain Finch is a native of northern
climates, whence it spreads into various parts of
Europe : it arrives in this country the latter end of
summer, and is most common in the mountainous
parts of our island.* Vast flocks of them some-
times come together; they fly very close, and on
that account great numbers are frequently killed
at one shot. In France they are said to appear
sometimes in such immense numbers, that the
ground where they have roosted, has been covered
with their dung for a considerable space; in one
year they were so numerous, that more than six
hundred dozen were killed each night during the
greater part of the winter. They build their nests
in fir trees, at a considerable height; it is com-
posed of long moss, lined with hair, wool, and
feathers; the female lays four or five eggs, white,
spotted with yellow. Its song is only a disagree-
able kind of chirping. It feeds on various kinds
of seeds, and is said to be particularly fond of
beech mast.

* We have seen them on the Cumberland Hills in the middle of
August.

BRITISH BIRDS. 253

THE LINNET.

GREATER REDPOLE, OR RED HEADED LINNET.

(Fringilla Canndbina^ Linn. — Gros-bcc
Temm.)

THE length is five and a half inches; breadth
nine and three quarters. The bill is thick at the
base; the upper mandible dusky, the under one
whitish. A pale brownish streak passes from the
bill over and below each eye; the irides are dark;
on the crown of the head is a bright crimson or
lake-red spot; the rest of the head is ash-grey,
striped with brown on the back part, and mottled
with the same colours on the brow, and on each
side of the crown ; the chin is yellowish ; the
hinder part and sides of the neck are dingy ash;
the fore part dull white, spotted with dark brown.
The breast is of the same brilliant red as the crown
of the head ; the sides are pale reddish brown,
fading into a dull white in the middle of the belly
from the breast to the vent; the back, scapulars,

254 BRITISH BIRDS.

and coverts of the wings are bright reddish brown,
the middle of the feathers somewhat darker than
the rest of the webs ; the first quill feather is black,
the eight next to it are the same, but white half
their length on both the exterior and interior
edges, the latter of which form a stripe of that
colour when the wing is closed. The tail is
forked; the two middle feathers are narrow and
pointed towards the tip, and wholly black; the
rest are also black, but edged with white on both
the outer and inner edges; the legs are dull brown.
The female is without the red on her head and
breast; in other respects her plumage is nearly
the same as that of the male, but much less
brilliant.

This charming bird is very well known, being
common in every part of Europe. In a wild state
it wastes the sweetness of its song on "the desert
air," amidst "the blossomed furze, unprofitably
gay," on the fells or heathy wastes which it al-
most constantly inhabits. There they build and
rear their young, concealed in the prickly close
branches of the whin. The nest is composed of
the stems of dry grass, mixed with a little moss,
and lined with horse hair. The female commonly
lays five eggs ; they are white, with a zone of
freckles and small brown spots near the thicker
end; she breeds generally twice in the year.

BRITISH BIRD£.

255

THE LINNET.

BROWN OR GREY LINNET.
WINTER PLUMAGE.

THE bill bluish grey; eyes hazel; upper parts
of the head, the neck, and back, dark reddish
brown ; edges of the feathers pale ; under parts
dirty reddish white ; breast deeper than the rest,
sides streaked with brown ; quills dusky, edged
with white; tail brown, likewise with \vhite edges,
except the t\vo middle feathers, which have red-
dish margins; it is somewhat forked; legs short
and brown.

The song of the Linnet is lively and sweetly
varied; its manners are gentle, and its disposition
docile ; it easily adopts the song of other birds,
when confined with them, and in some instances
it has been taught to pronounce words with great
distinctness ; but this substitution of imperfect

256

BRITISH BIRDS.

and forced accents, which have neither charms
nor beauty, in the room of the free and varied
modulations of uninstructed nature, is a perver-
sion of its talents. Linnets are frequently seen
in flocks during the winter, and their assembling
with other kinds of small birds is a sure presage
of the coming storm, with which that gloomy
season sets in; they feed on various seeds, and
are particularly fond of lintseed, from which cir-
cumstance, it is said, they derive their name.

BRITISH BIRDS.

257

THE MOUNTAIN LINNET.

TWITE.

(Fn'n-gilla Monti tun, Linn. — Gros-bcc dc montagnc,
Temm.)

A pair of these birds, male and female, with
their nest and six eggs, were obligingly presented
to this work, by the author's late pupil, Mr. John
I ,aws, of Heddon Laws, Northumberland. He shot
them on Callerton Fell, near their nest, on the
1 5th June, 1821; their stomachs were filled with
the seed of the dandelion. The male measured,
stretched out, five inches in length, and nine in
breadth; the female was a little larger. The bill
is thick and short, of a pale flesh red; nostrils
covered with a hairy kind of feathers ; irides hazel ;
the space above and below the eye pale tawny
brown; the throat and fore part of the neck the
same; the sides and hinder part of the latter
whitish spotted with brown. The whole of the

VOL. i. 2 K

258 BRITISH BIRDS.

upper plumage is of a darker cast than the rest of
this genus, the middle of the feathers being dusky,
edged with dull pale brown ; the greater coverts
tipped with white; the primary and secondary
quills dusky, the former slightly edged on the ex-
terior webs with pale brown, the latter with white ;
the tail is forked, and of a very dark brown,
slightly edged half way to the tips with a lighter
colour; and towards the. base the outer webs are
more distinctly margined with white, and the
inner webs are still more deeply edged with that
colour. The rump is bright lake coloured crimson ;
the breast and sides are pale dull brown, rather
indistinctly marked with spots and stripes of a
darker shade; the belly is of a pale silvery blea;
the vent feathers white, with a streak of black
down the middle one; the legs and toes dusky.
The female nearly resembles the male, only she is
without the red feathers of the rump. These birds
frequent the solitary wastes of moors and fells, and
make their nest in the whin bushes, or near the
tops of the tallest heath, with which these places
abound. The nest is composed of a great quantity
of moss and dry grass, and slightly lined with wool
and feathers; the eggs are pale bluish green,
spotted with brown. Latham treats of the Twite
as a variety of the mountain Linnet, while Pennant
accounts it to be of the same species.

I

BRITISH BIRDS. 259

THE LESSER REDPOLE.
(Fringtlla Linaria, Linn. — Gros-bcc sizcrin, Temm.)

LENGTH about five inches. Bill pale brown, tip
dusky; eyes hazel; the forehead is marked with a
large pretty spot, of a deep red inclining to purple ;
the breast is of the same colour, but less bright;
the feathers on the back are dusky, edged with
pale brown ; the greater and lesser coverts tipped
with dirty white, forming two light bars across
the wing; the belly and thighs dull white; the
quills and tail dusky, edged with dirty white; the
latter somewhat forked: legs dusky. In our bird
the rump was reddish. The female has no red on
the breast or rump, and the spot on her forehead
is of a saffron colour; her plumage in general is
not so bright as that of the male.

This species is found in every part of Europe
In America and the northern parts of Asia it is
likewise very common. They are not unfrequent

260 BRITISH BIRDS.

in this island; they breed chiefly in the northern
parts, and are known by the name of French
Linnets. They make a shallow open nest, com-
posed of dried grass and wool, lined with hair and
feathers; the female lays four eggs, almost white,
marked with reddish spots. In winter they mix
with other birds, and migrate in flocks to the
southern counties; they feed on small seeds of
various kinds, especially those of the alder, of
which they are extremely fond : they hang like the
Titmouse, with their back downwards, upon the
branches, wThile feeding, and in this situation may
easily be caught with lime twigs.

BRITISH BIRDS.

26l

THE SISKIN.

ABERDEVINE.

(Fringilla Sphms, Linn. — Gros-bec tar in, Temm.)

LENGTH nearly five inches. Bill white; eyes
black; top of the head and throat black; over
each eye there is a pale yellow streak; back of the
neck and the back yellowish olive, marked with
narrow dusky streaks down the middle of each
feather; rump yellow; under parts greenish yellowy
palest on the breast ; thighs grey, marked with
dusky streaks ; greater wing coverts pale yellowish
green, tipped with black; quills dusky, faintly
edged with yellow, the outer web of each at the
base fine pale yellow, forming, when the wing
is closed, an irregular bar across it; the tail is
forked, the middle feathers black, with faint edges,
the outer ones yellow, with black tips; legs pale
browTn ; claws white.

The foregoing figure and description were taken
from one which was caught on the banks of the

262 BRITISH BIRDS.

Tyne, and kept some years afterwards in a cage;
its song, though not so loud as that of the Canary,
was pleasing and sweetly varied; it imitated the
notes of other birds, even to the chirping of the
Sparrow; it was familiar, docile, and cheerful, and
began its song early in the morning. Like the
Goldfinch, the Siskin may easily be taught to
draw up its little bucket with water and food. The
latter consists chiefly of seeds ; it drinks frequently,
and seems fond of throwing water over its feathers.
It breeds freely with the Canary. When the
Siskin is paired with the hen Canary, he is
assiduous in his attention to his mate, carrying
materials for the nest, and arranging them; and,
during the time of incubation, regularly supplying
the female with food.

These birds are common in various parts, chiefly
of the north of Europe; in most places they are
migratory, but do not seem to observe regular
periods, as they are sometimes seen in large, and
at other times in very small numbers. Buffon
observes that those immense flights happen only
once in the course of three or four years. They
conceal , their nest with much art. Kramer says,
that in the forests bordering on the Danube,
thousands of young Siskins are frequently found,
which have not dropt their first feathers, and yet
it is rare to meet with a nest. They are not
known to breed in this island, nor is it said from
whence they come over to us. In some parts of
the south it is called the Barley-bird, being seen
about that seed time; and in the neighbourhood of
London it is known by the name of the Aberdevine.

BRITISH BIRDS. 263

/

THE CANARY FINCH.

(Fringilla Canaria, I. inn. — Lc Serin dcs Canaries,
Buff.)

Is about five inches and a half in length. Bill
pale flesh red; general colour of the plumage
yellow, more or less mixed with grey, and in
some with brown on the upper parts; tail long
and somewhat forked; legs pale flesh colour.

In this country they are never seen but in a
state of captivity. In a wild state they are found
chiefly in the Canary Islands, whence they 'have
been brought to almost every part of Europe.
Buffon enumerates twenty-nine varieties, and many
more might probably be added to the list, were
all the changes incident to a state of domestica-
tion carefully noted and brought into the account.
The breeding and rearing of these charming birds
form an amusement of the most pleasing kind,
and afford a variety of scenes highly interesting
and gratifying. In the places fitted up and ac-
commodated to the use of the little captives, we
are delighted to see the workings of nature exem-
plified in the choice of their mates, building their
nests, hatching and rearing their young, and in
the impassioned ardour exhibited by the male,
whether he is engaged in assisting his faithful
mate in collecting materials for her nest, in ar-
ranging them for her accommodation, in provid-
ing food for her offspring, or in chaunting his
lively and amorous songs during every part of
the important business. The Canary will breed

264 BRITISH BIRDS.

freely with the Siskin and Goldfinch, particularly
the former, as has been already observed; it like-
wise proves prolific with the Linnet, but not so
readily : and admits also the Chaffinch, Yellow
Bunting, and even the Sparrow, though with still
more difficulty. In all these instances, excepting
the first, the pairing succeeds best when the fe-
male Canary is introduced to the male of the
opposite species. According to Buffon, the Sis-
kin is the only bird of which the male and female
propagate equally with those of the male or fe-
male Canaries.

This author, in his History of Birds, has given
a curious account of the various methods used in
rearing these little songsters, to which the reader
is referred. We have thought it necessary to sav
so much of a bird, which, though neither of Bri-
tish origin, nor a voluntary visitor, must yet be
considered as ours by adoption.*

* The importation of Canaries forms a small article of commerce ;
great numbers are every year imported from Tyrol ; four Tyrolese
usually bring over to England about sixteen hundred of these birds;
and though they carry them on their backs one thousand miles, and
pay twenty pounds duty for such a number, they are enabled to sell
them at five shillings a-piece. — Phil. Trans., vol. 62.

BRITISH BIRDS. 265

THE GOLDFINCH.

GOLDSPIXK, OR THISTLE FIXCH.

(Fringilla Carduclis, Linn. — Gros-bcc chardonncrct,
Temm.)

THE bill is white, tipped with black; the fore-
head and chin a rich scarlet, which is divided by
a black patch passing from each corner of the bill
to the eyes, which are dark ; the cheeks are white ;
top of the head black, which colour extends down-
ward from the nape on each side, dividing" the
white on the cheeks from the white spot on the
hinder part of the neck; the back and rump are
cinnamon brown; the sides the same, but paler;
belly white ; lesser wing coverts black ; quills
black, marked in the middle of each feather with
yellow, forming, when the wing is closed, a large
patch; the tips white; the tail feathers are black,
with a white spot on each near the end ; legs pale
flesh red.

VOL. I. 2 L

266 • BRITISH BIRDS.

Beauty of plumage, says the lively Count de
Buffon, melody of song, sagacity, and docility of
disposition seem all united in this charming little
bird, which, were it rare, and imported from a
foreign country, would be more highly valued.
Goldfinches begin to sing early in the spring,
and continue till the time of breeding is over.
When kept in a cage, they will sing the greater
part of the year. In a state of confinement they
are very engaging, being much attached to their
keepers, and will learn a variety of little tricks,
such as to draw up small buckets containing their
water and food, to fire a cracker, and such like.
They construct a neat and compact nest, which is
composed of moss, dried grass, and roots, lined
with wool, hair, the down of thistles, and other soft
and delicate substances. The female lays five
white eggs, marked at the larger end with spots of
deep purple. They feed their young with cater-
pillars and insects; the old birds feed on various
kinds of seeds, particularly those of the thistle, and
occasionally on the seeds of the Scotch fir.

Goldfinches breed with the Canary; this inter-
mixture succeeds best between the cock Goldfinch
and the hen Canary, whose offspring are produc-
tive, and are said to resemble the male in the
shape of the bill, and in the colours of the head
and wings, and the hen in the rest of the body.

BRITISH BIRDS.

267

THE CUCKOO.*

GOWK.

(Ciiciilns catioriis, Linn. — Coucou gris, Temm.)

LENGTH fourteen inches ; breadth twenty-five j
the bill is black and somewhat bent ; eyes yel-
low ; inside of the mouth red ; its head, neck,
back, and wing coverts pale blue, darkest on the
head and back, and palest on the fore part of
the neck and rump; breast and belly white, ele-
gantly crossed with wavy bars of black ; the
quill feathers are dusky, their inner webs marked
with large oval white spots ; the tail is long ;
the two middle feathers black, with white tips;

* This bird is placed by Temminck first, in his order Zygodac-
tyles, which includes three British genera, viz., the Cuckoo, the
Woodpecker, and the Wryneck.

268 BRITISH BIRDS.

the others dusky, marked with alternate spots of
white on each side of the shaft; legs short and
yellow ; toes, two forward, two backward : the
outer one capable of being* directed forward or
backward at pleasure; claws white.

The Cuckoo visits us early in the spring; the
well known cry of the male is commonly heard
about the middle of April, and ceases at the end
of June; its stay is short, the old birds quitting
this country early in July.

Whether Cuckoos pair is not known, but it is
certain that they build no nest; and what is more
extraordinary, the female deposits one of her eggs
(of which she lays from four to six during the
season) in the nest of some other bird, by wrhom
it is hatched. The nest usually chosen for this
purpose is that of the Titlark, and it is said also
in those of the Hedge Sparrow, Water Wagtail,
Yellow-hammer, Green Linnet, or Whinchat; the
first is more certainly known to be preferred.*

We owe the first satisfactory account f of the
singular economy of this bird, in the disposal of
its egg, to Mr. Edward Jenner, afterwards Dr.
Jenner, the illustrious discoverer of Vaccination.
The following being the result of repeated obser-
vations and experiments, accurately made by him-
self, we shall detail it as nearly as possible in his
own words.

During the time the Hedge Sparrow is laying
her eggs, which generally takes up four or five

* The author could never find the egg of the Cuckoo deposited
in any nest but in that of a Lark, which is always on the ground.

t Vide Transactions of the Royal Society, Vol. LXXVIIL,
Part II. 1787.

BRITISH BIRDS. 26<)

days, the Cuckoo contrives to deposit her egg
among the rest, leaving the future care of it
entirely to the Hedge Sparrow. This intrusion
often occasions discomposure, for the Hedge Spar-
row at intervals, whilst sitting, not only throws
out some of her own eggs, but injures others in
such a way, that they become addle, so that not
more than two or three of them are hatched along
with that of the Cuckoo, and what is very remark-
able, she never throws out or injures the egg of the
intruder. When she has disengaged the young
Cuckoo and her own offspring from the shell, her
young ones, and any of her eggs that remain un-
hatched, are soon turned out by the young Cuckoo,
who then remains in full possession of the nest,
and becomes the sole object of the care of its
foster parents. The young birds are not pre-
viously killed, nor the eggs demolished, but all
are left to perish together, either entangled in
the bush, which contains the nest, or lying on
the ground near it. The mode of accomplishing
the ejectment is curious : the Cuckoo very soon
after being hatched, and consequently while it is
yet blind, contrives with its rump and wings to
get the Hedge Sparrow, or the egg, upon its
back, and making a lodgement for its burden by
elevating its elbows, clambers backwards with it
up the side of the nest, till it reaches the top,
where, resting for a moment, it throws off its load
writh a jerk, and quite disengages it from the nest;
after remaining a short time in this situation, and
feeling about with the extremities of its wings,
as if to be convinced that the business has been
properly executed, it drops into the nest again.

270 BRITISH BIRDS.

Nature seems to have provided, even in the for-
mation of the Cuckoo, for the exercise of this
peculiar instinct, for unlike other newly hatched
birds, its back, from the scapulae downwards, is
very broad, with a considerable depression in the
middle, as if for the purpose of giving a more
secure lodgment to the egg, or the young bird,
while the intruder is employed in removing either
of them from the nest ; when about twelve days
old, this cavity is filled up, the back assumes the
shape of nestling birds in general, and the dispo-
sition for turning out any bird or substance placed
in the nest, entirely ceases. The smallness of the
Cuckoo's egg is another circumstance deserving
attention in this surprising transaction ; in size
and appearance, it differs little from the egg of
the Sky Lark and Titlark, though the disparity of
bulk of the birds be very great; in short, every
thing conspires, as might be expected, to render
perfect the design which is to be accomplished
by the seemingly unnatural propensity of this
bird.

When it happens, as it sometimes does, that two
Cuckoo's eggs are deposited in the same nest, and
are hatched along with those of the Hedge Spar-
row's, a contest commences in a few hours between
the Cuckoos for the possession of the nest. In
one of these contests, which Dr. Jenner had an
opportunity of watching narrowly, and which was
continued for more than a day, the combatants
alternately appeared to have the advantage, each
having carried the other several times nearly to
the top of the nest, and then sunk down oppressed
with the weight of its burthen, till at last, one

BRITISH BIRDS. 271

which was somewhat superior in size, turned out
the other, together with a young Hedge Sparrow,
and an unhatched egg.

Young Cuckoos differ so much in plumage from
the old, that they have sometimes been mistaken
for a different species. In the young birds, the
bill, legs, and tail, are nearly the same as those of
the old; iris blue; throat, neck, breast, and belly,
elegantly barred with dark brown, on a light
ground; the back is lead grey, mixed with brown,
and faintly barred with white; the tail feathers
irregularly marked with black, light brown, and
white, and tipped with white ; legs yellow. They
continue three weeks in the nest before they fly,
and the foster parents feed them five weeks after
this period. Their growth is very rapid. They
migrate probably in succession, about the end of
August, or beginning of September, and undergo
their first moult during their absence.

The Cuckoo is said to be a fierce pugnacious
bird. Its principal food consists of hairy cater-
pillars, also of grasshoppers, snails, May bugs,
£c., of which it disgorges the hard parts after
digestion, in the same manner as birds of prey.
It also is said to eat the eggs of other birds.

272 BRITISH BIRDS.

OF these only four or five species have been
noticed in Great Britain. Their characters are
striking, and their manners singular. The bill is
large, strong, and fitted for its employment: the
end of it is sharp and formed like a wedge, with
which it pierces the bark of trees, and penetrates
through the outside sound wood of the tree to the
inside decayed part, where its food is lodged. Its
neck is short and thick, and furnished with power-
ful muscles, which enable it to strike with such
force as to be heard at a considerable distance:
the noise thus occasioned is not by vibration round
a hole, as some authors assert, but by a succession
of strokes repeated with surprising rapidity,
according to one of the suggestions of the accurate
Ray. Its tongue is long and taper, and capable
of great elongation; at the end of it there is in
most of the species, a hard horny substance,
curving slightly downwards, which penetrates into
the crevices of trees, and extracts the insects and
their eggs which are lodged there; the tail con-
sists of ten stiff, sharp-pointed feathers, rough on
the under sides, and bent inwards, by which it
supports itself on the trunks of trees while in
search of food; for this purpose its feet are short
and thick, and its toes, which are placed two
forward and two backward, are armed with strong
hooked claws, by which it clings firmly, and creeps
up and down in all directions.

BRITISH BIRDS. 273

The tip of the tongue in this genus is well
known to be long and barbed; another peculiarity
of structure connected with it, does not appear to
have been noticed by naturalists ;* in the back part
of the palate is a longitudinal groove, which tapers
to a point outwards, and is fringed with stiff hairs
pointing toAvards the throat, Avith AArhich it easily
and speedily detaches its food from the barbs of
the tongue.

* Communicated by J- E. Bowman, Esq., Wrexham.

VOL. I.

2 M

274

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE BLACK WOODPECKER.

(Pic us martins, Linn. — Pic /ioir, Temm.

THIS scarce bird is the largest of the British
Woodpeckers, being about seventeen inches in
length; bill nearly two and a half, of a horn
colour, and pale yellow on the sides; irides also
pale yellow ; the crown of the head is crimson, and
the feathers elongated to the nape; the quills are
brown, and all the rest of the plumage dull black;
the legs are lead grey, having the fore part covered
with feathers half their length.

BRITISH BIRDS.

The female differs from the male, the hinder
part of her head only being red, and in some
specimens the red is entirely wanting; the black
parts of her plumage are also duller. They form
their nest in the deep hollows of old trees, and lay
two or three white eggs. The figure was taken
from a stuffed specimen in the museum of the
Hon. H. T. Liddell.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GREEN WOODPECKER.

WOODSPITE, HIGH-HOE, HKW-HOLK, OR PICK-A-TREE.*

(Pirns viridis, Linn. — Pic rvvV, Temm.)

THIS is the second in size of the British kinds,
being thirteen inches in length. The bill is two
inches long, triangular, and of a dark horn colour:
the tongue towards the tip is furnished with
numerous fibres, projecting transversely, of the
size of minute hairs ; the outer circle of the eye is
white, surrounding another of red; top of the
head bright crimson, which extends down the

* Wallis, in his History of Northumberland, observes that it is
called by the common people Pick-a-Tree, also Rain Fowl, from its
being more loud and noisy before rain. The Romans called them
Pluvioe aves for the same reason.

BRITISH BIRDS. 277

hinder part of the neck, ending in a point behind;
the eye is surrounded by a black space; and from
each corner of the bill runs a crimson streak
pointing downwards; the back and wing coverts
olive green; rump yellow; the quill feathers are
dusky, barred on the outer web with black and
white; the bastard wing spotted with white; sides
of the head and under parts of the body white,
slightly tinged with green ; the tail is marked with
bars like the wings; legs greenish. The female
differs from the male in not having the red mark
from the corner of the mouth; she makes her nest
in the hollow of a tree, fifteen or twenty feet from
the ground. Buffon observes that both male and
female labour by turns in boring through the sound
part of the wood, sometimes to a considerable
depth, until they penetrate to that which is decayed
and rotten, where she lays five or six eggs, of a
greenish colour, marked with small black spots.

The Green Woodpecker is seen more frequently
on the ground than the other kinds, particularly
where there are ant-hills. It inserts its long
tongue into the holes through which the ants issue,
and draws out those insects in abundance. Some-
times, with its feet and bill, it makes a breach in
the nest, and devours them at its ease, together
Avith their eggs. The young ones climb up and
down the trees before they are able to fly: they
roost very early, and repose in their holes till day.

278 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE PIED WOODPECKER.

GREATER SPOTTED \VOoni'ECKER, OR WITWAf.I..

(Pic us Major ', Linn. — Pic cpciclic, Temm.)

LENGTH somewhat more than nine inches. The
bill is of a dark horn colour, very strong at the
base, and exceedingly sharp at the end; the upper
and under sides formed by high pointed ridges,
which run along the middle of each; the eyes are
reddish, encircled with a large white spot, which
extends to the back part of the head, on which is a
spot of crimson; the forehead is buff; the top of
the head black; on the back part of the neck are
two white spots, separated by a line of black; the
scapulars and tips of the wing coverts white; the
rest of the plumage on the upper part of the body
black; the tail is black, the outer feathers marked

BRITISH BIRDS. 279

with white spots; the throat, breast, and part of
the belly yellowish white; the vent and lower part
of the belly crimson ; legs and feet lead grey. The
female has not the red spot on the back of the head.
This bird is common in England. Buffon says
that it strikes against the trees with brisker and
harder blows than the Green Woodpecker. It
creeps with great ease in all directions upon the
branches of trees, and is with difficulty seen, as it
instantly avoids the sight by creeping behind a
branch, where it remains concealed.

280 I'.KLTISH BIRDS.

THE BARRED WOODPECKER.

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER, OR HICKWAI.L.

(Picus itu'/ior. Linn. — Pic cpciclicttc, Temm.)

THIS is the smallest of the British Woodpeckers,
being only five inches and a half in length; weight
nearly one ounce. Its general plumage is black
and white, like that of the Pied Woodpecker, but
without the red at the vent and under the tail; it
also differs from that bird in having its back and
scapulars crossed with alternate stripes of black
and white. It is prettily barred with white spots
on the tips of the lesser and greater coverts, and
the secondaries ; the primaries have much the same
appearance, from the indented white spots with
which they are crossed. The crown of the head is
crimson; cheeks, throat, and sides of the neck
white, but divided by an irregular black stripe,

BRITISH BIRDS. 281

which falls down from the corners of the mouth,
and pointing forward, crosses the fore part of the
neck, the hinder part of which is also black from
the nape to the shoulders; the under parts of the
body are dirty white ; the outside feathers of the
tail white, with a few spots of black; the legs lead
colour. Buffon says, that in winter it draws near
houses and vineyards, that it shelters in holes of
trees, and sometimes disputes possession with the
Coal Titmouse, which it compels to give up its
lodging.*

* Another British species, the Hairy Woodpecker (Picus Vill-
osus), has been described by some authors, but we have never been
able to obtain a specimen of it.

VOL. I. 2 N

282 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE WRYNECK. .

(Yunx Torquilla, Linn. — Tor col ordinaire, Temm.)

THE principal colours of this beautiful bird
consist of different shades of brown, but so
elegantly arranged as to form a picture of exquisite
neatness; from the hinder part of the' head an
irregular line of brownish black runs to the middle
of the back, the rest of the back is ash-grey,
streaked and powdered with brown ; the throat and
under side of the neck are reddish brown, crossed
with delicate bars of black; the breast, belly, and
thighs light ash, marked with triangular spots ; the
larger quill feathers are marked on the outer webs
with alternate spots of dark brown and rust colour,
which, when the wing is closed, give it the appear-
ance of chequered work; the rest of the wing and

BRITISH BIRDS. 283

the scapulars are niceh- freckled, and shaded with
brown spots of different sizes; the tail feathers are
irregularly barred with black, the intervening"
spaces being finely freckled, and powdered with
dark brown spots; its bill is rather long, sharp
pointed, and pale lead grey; its eyes light brown;
but what chiefly distinguishes this bird is the
structure of its tongue, which is of considerable
length, of a cylindrical form, and capable of being
pushed forwards and drawn into its bill again;* it
is furnished with a horny substance at the tip; its
legs are short and slender; the toes long, two
before and two behind; the claws sharp, much
hooked, and formed for climbing branches of trees,
on which it can run in all directions with great
facility. It makes an artless nest of dry grass, in
holes of trees, upon dusty rotten wood, the entrance
to which is so small as scarcely to admit the hand,
on which account its eggs are come at with much
difficulty; they are perfectly white, and from eight
to ten in number.

Though in many respects nearly related to the
family of the Woodpeckers, being similar to that
tribe in the formation of its bill and feet, yet the
Wryneck never associates with them, and con-
stitutes a genus of itself. It is found in various
parts of Europe, and generally appears a few days
before the Cuckoo. Its food consists chiefly of
ants and other insects, of which it finds great
abundance lodged in the bark and crevices of

* Dissection shows a curious muscular apparatus for this purpose,
spirally arranged on the sides of the head, almost encircling each
eye, and allowing very considerable extent and motion.

284 BRITISH BIRDS.

trees. The stomach of one which we opened was
full of undigested parts of ants. It is said to
frequent the places where ant-hills are, into which
it darts its tongue, and drawrs out its prey. It
holds itself very erect on the branch of the tree
where it sits; its body is almost bent backward,
whilst it writhes its head and neck by a slow and
almost involuntary motion, not unlike the waving
wreaths of a serpent. It is a very solitary bird,
never being seen Avith any other society but that of
its female, and this is only transitory, for as soon
as the domestic union is dissolved, which is in the
month of September, they retire and migrate
separately.

BRITISH BIRDS.

285

THE NUTHATCH.*

NUTJOBBER, WOODCRACKER.

(Sitta Europca, Linn. — Sittcllc torchcpot, Temm.)

THE length is near six inches; bill strong,
black above, beneath almost white; the eyes
hazel; a black stroke passes over each eye, from
the bill, extending down the side of the neck as
far as the shoulder; all the upper part of the body
is of a fine blue grey; the cheeks and chin \vhite;
breast and belly of a pale orange; sides marked
with streaks of chesnut; quills dusky; the tail is
short, the two middle feathers grey, the rest dusky,
three of the outermost spotted with white; legs

* The order Anisoductyles of Terhminck includes' three British
genera, viz., the Nuthatch, the Creeper, and the Hoopoe.

286 BRITISH BIRDS.

pale yellow; claws large, sharp, and much bent,
the back claw very strong; when extended the
foot measures one inch and three quarters.

This, like the Woodpecker, frequents woods, and
is a shy and solitary bird: the female lays her
eggs, which are white, with a few pale brown
spots, in holes of trees, frequently in those which
have been deserted by the Woodpecker. The nest
is fitted up with layers of the very thin flakes or
laminae of the bark of the Scotch fir. During the
time of incubation, she is easily driven from her
nest, and on being disturbed, hisses like a snake.
The Nuthatch feeds on caterpillars, beetles, and
various kinds of insects; it likewise eats nuts, and
from its expertness in cracking them has obtained
its name: having placed a nut fast in a chink, it
takes its stand a little above, and striking it with
all its force, perforates the shell and picks out the
kernel; \vhen disturbed at its work, it very readily
removes the nut and flies away with it. In the
same way it also breaks into the very hard shells
of the stone pine. Like the Woodpecker, it moves
up and down the trunks of trees Avith great facility,
in search of food. It does not migrate, but in the
winter approaches nearer inhabited places, and is
sometimes seen in orchards and gardens.

BRITISH BIRDS. 287

THE CREEPER.

(Ccrtliia Familiarise Linn. — Griinpcrcaii faniilicr,
Temm.v

LENGTH live inches and half; the body is about
the size of that of the Wren. The bill is long,
slender, and curved, the upper mandible brown,
the lower whitish; eyes hazel; the "head, neck,
back, and wing coverts are dark brown, variegated
with streaks of a lighter hue; the throat, breast,
and belly silvery white; rump tawny; the quills
are dusky, edged with tawny, and marked with
bars of the same; tips white; above each eye a
small dark line passes towards the neck, above
which there is a line of white: the tail is long,
and consists of twelve stiff brownish feathers,
pointed and forked at the end; the legs are short,
and brown; claws long, sharp, and much hooked,
by which it is enabled to run with great facility
on all sides of small branches of trees in quest of

288

BRITISH BIRDS.

insects and their eggs, which constitute its food.
Although very common, it is not seen without
difficulty, from the ease with which it escapes to
the opposite side of the tree. It builds its nest
early in spring, in a hole of a tree; lays from five
to seven eggs, of a pure white, marked with red
spots. The sexes differ very little in plumage,
and the moult takes place once a year.

•2§i*s

BRITISH BIRDS. 289

THE HOOPOE.
(Upupa EpopSy Linn. — Huppe puput, Temm.)

LENGTH twelve inches; breadth nineteen. The
bill is about two inches long", black, slender, and
somewhat curved; eyes hazel; the tongue very
short and triangular ; the head is ornamented with
a crest, consisting of a double row of feathers, of
a pale orange yellow, tipped with black, the
highest about two inches in length; the neck is
pale reddish brown; breast and belly white, and
in young birds marked with various dusky lines
pointing downwards; the back, scapulars, and
wings are crossed with broad bars of black and
white ; the lesser coverts of the wings light brown ;
rump white ; the tail consists of ten feathers, each
marked with white, and when closed, assumes
the form of a crescent, the horns pointing down-
wards : the legs are short and black.

VOL I. 2O

2 QO BRITISH BIRDS.

This is the only species of. its kind found in
this kingdom; and it is not very common with
us, being seen only at uncertain periods. The
foregoing representation was taken from a very fine
one, shot near Bedlington, and sent for this work,
by the Rev. Henry Cotes. In the stomach were
found the claws and other indigestible parts of
insects of the beetle tribe : it was alive some time
after being wounded and taken, and walked about,
erecting its tail and crest in a very pleasing
manner. The sexes differ little in appearance;
they moult once a year. The female is said to
have two or three broods in the year; she makes
no nest, but lays her eggs, generally about four or
five in number, in the hollow of a tree, antt some-
times in a hole of a wall, or even on the ground.
Buifon says, that he has sometimes found a soft
lining of moss, wool, or feathers, in the nests of
these birds, and supposes that, in this case, they
may have used the deserted nest of some other
bird. Its food consists chiefly of insects, with the
remains of which its nest is sometimes so filled
as to become extremely offensive. It is a solitary
bird, two of them being seldom seen together; in
Egypt, where they are very common, they are seen
only in small flocks. Its crest usually falls behind
on its neck, except when it is surprised or irritated ;
it then stands erect; and its tail also, as well as
its crest, is generally at the same time erected,
and spread like a fan.

BRITISH BIRDS.

291

THE BEE EATER.*
(Merops * {piaster > Linn. — Giicpicr vulgair.ey Temm.)

THE bill is about one inch and three-eighths
long, from the tip to where the ridge on the upper
mandible meets the white feathers of the brow;
it is of a somewhat triangular shape, and of a dark
colour, thickish at the base, curved, and small at
the tip ; the nostrils are nearly covered with hairy-
looking feathers; the eye-brows green; a stripe of
black passes from the corners of the mouth over
the eyes, tapers off towards the hinder part of the
neck, and terminates behind the auriculars; the
crown of the head, hinder part of the neck, the
back, and upper plumage are mostly in deeper
and lighter shades of a brilliant reddish chesnut,

* The order Alcyones of Temminck includes two British genera,
vi/.., the Bee-eater, and the King-fisher.

2Q2 BRITISH BIRDS.

but the terminations of the shoulder feathers,
which fall over the scapulars, partake of pale or
whitish yellow; the chin and upper part of the
neck are yellow, boundered by a black line ; below
this, towards the shoulders, and all the under
parts are of a glossy verditer green; the lesser
coverts are green; the scapulars, some of the
secondaries, the primaries, and the tail are also of
that colour, but shaded off with yellow brown; the
tail is long, the two middle feathers longest, and
pointed or forked at the tip; the legs and feet,
which are similar in conformation to those of the
King-fisher, are black; and, like that bird, it
makes its nest in the banks of rivers, at the end of
a long hole; the eggs are white, and nearly oval;
from these circumstances, the general contour of
its figure, and its brilliant plumage, it bears some
affinity to the genus Alcedo. This beautiful and
rare visitant has sometimes been met with in
Devonshire.

Through the medium of the late Lieut. J. A.
Howard, of the seventy-third regiment, we have
obtained from Mr. Leadbeater the specimen from
which the foregoing figure was taken, and beg to
acknowledge our obligation for the facilities thus
afforded to the work.

BRITISH BIRDS.

293

THE KING-FISHER.

(Alccdo Ispida, Linn. — Mar tin-pec heur ^ 1 Icy 'on,
Temm.)

THIS splendid little bird is of rather a clumsy
shape, the head being large in proportion to the
size of the body, and the legs and feet very small.
The length is only seven inches, breadth eleven;
weight about two ounces and a quarter. The bill,
measured from the corners of the mouth, is two
inches long, vertically compressed on the sides,
strong, straight, and tapering to a sharp point;
the upper mandible is black, fading into red to-
wards the base; the under one as well as the
inside of the mouth, reddish orange ; irides hazel,
inclining to red. A broad stripe passes from the
bill over the eye to the hinder part of the neck,
of a bright orange, but margined on the side of
the mouth, and crossed below the eye, by a narrow

2Q4 BRITISH BIRDS.

black stroke, and terminated behind the auriculars
with a slanting wedge-shaped white spot. The
throat is white; the head and the wing coverts
are a deep shining green, spotted with bright
light blue; the scapulars and exterior webs of the
quills are of the same colour, but without spots.
The middle of the back, the rump, and coverts of
the tail are of a most resplendent azure : the tail,
which consists of twelve short feathers, is deep rich
blue, and the whole under part of the body, bright
orange. The legs and toes are red, and are pecu-
liar in their shape and conformation, the three
forward toes being unconnected from the claws
to the first joints, from whence they appear as if
grown into each other; and the inner and hinder
ones are placed in a line on the inside of the foot,
whereby the heel is widened, and seems pressed
out.

Its habits and manner of living are wholly con-
fined to the fresh waters, on the margins of which
it will sit for hours together on a projecting twig,
or stone; at one while fluttering its wings, and
exposing its brilliant plumage to the sun; at
another, hovering in the air like the Kestrel, it
waits the moment when it may seize its prey, on
which it darts almost unerringly: often it remains
for several seconds under water, before it has
gained the object of its pursuit, then brings up the
little fish, which it carries to the land, beats to
death, and swallows.

The female commonly makes her nest by the
sides of rivers or brooks, in a hole made by the
mole, or the water-rat; this she enlarges or con-
tracts to suit her purpose; and it is conjectured,

BRITISH BIRDS. 295

from the difficulty of finding the nest, that fre-
quently the hole which leads to it is under water.
The eggs are clear white.

To notice the many strange and contradictory
accounts of this bird, as well as of its nest, trans-
mitted to us by the ancients,* and to enumerate
the properties ascribed to it by the superstitious
in all ages, would occupy too large a portion of
this work: but the following modern instance
seems worthy of notice : —

Dr. Heysham, of Carlisle, in his Catalogue of
Cumberland Animals, says, "On the yth of May,
a boy from Upperby brought me a King-fisher
alive, which he had taken Avhen sitting on her
eggs the night before: from him I received the
following information: — Having often, this spring,
observed these birds frequent a bank upon the
river Peteril, he watched them carefully, and saw
them go into a small hole in the bank. The hole
was too small to admit his hand, but as it was
made in the soft mould, he easily enlarged it. It
was upwards of half a yard long; at the end of it
the eggs, which were six in number, were placed

* Their nests are wonderful — of the figure of a ball rather ele-
vated, with a. very narrow mouth; they look like a large sponge;
they cannot be cut with a knife, but may be broken with a smart
stroke: they have the appearance of petrified sea-froth. It is not
discovered of what they are formed; some think of Prickly-back
bones, since they live upon fish. — Pliny.

Aristotle compares the nest to a gourd, and its substance and
texture to those sea-balls or lumps of interwoven filaments which
are cut with difficulty : but, when dried, become friable.

*Elictn and Plutarch describe it as being made to float on the
placid face of the ocean.

2Q6 BRITISH BIRDS.

upon the bare mould, there being not the smallest
appearance of a nest."

King-fishers are not so numerous as might be
expected from the number of eggs found in their
nests, owing probably to the young being de-
stroyed by the floods, which must often rise above
the level of the holes where they are bred.

Except in the breeding season, this bird is
usually seen alone, flying near the surface of the
water with the rapidity of an arrow, like a little
brilliant meteor, by which appearance the eye is
enabled to follow its long-continued course. Con-
sidering the shortness of its wings, the velocity
with which it flies is surprising.

Ornithologists inform us that King-fishers are
found in almost every part of the globe; but it
does not appear that more than this one species
has ever been seen in Europe.

BRITISH BIRDS. 297

<5tt>allon>.

OF all the families of birds which resort to this
island for incubation, food, or shelter, there is none
which has occasioned so many conjectures respect-
ing its appearance and departure as the Swallow
tribe; of this we have already treated in the intro-
ductory part of the work, to which we refer the
reader. Their habits and modes of living are
perhaps more conspicuous than those of any other.
Their arrival has ever been associated in our minds
with the idea of spring; and till the time of their
departure they seem continually before our eyes.
The Swallow lives almost constantly in the air,
and performs many of its functions in that element ;
and whether it pursues the devious windings of
the insects on which it feeds, or endeavours to
escape the birds of prey by the quickness of its
motion, it describes lines so mutable, so inter-
woven, and so confused, that they hardly can be
pictured by words. " The Swallow tribe is of
all others the most inoffensive, entertaining, and
social; all, except one species, attach themselves
to our houses, amuse us with their migrations,
songs, and marvellous agility, and clear the air
of gnats and other troublesome insects, which
would otherwise much annoy and incommode us.
Whoever contemplates the myriads of insects that
sport in the sunbeams of a summer evening in this

* The order Chelidones of Temminck consists of three British
genera, viz., Hirundo, Cypselus, Caprimulgus.
VOL I. 2 P

298 BRITISH BIRDS.

country, will soon be convinced to what degree
our atmosphere would be choked with them, were
it not for the friendly interposition of the Swallow
tribe."*

Swallows are found in every country, but seldom
rem ain the whole year in the same climate ; the
times of their appearance in and departure from
this country are well known: on their arrival all
nature assumes a more cheerful aspect.

The bill of this genus is short, very broad at
the base, and a little bent; the head is flat, and
the neck scarcely visible ; the tongue is short,,
broad, and cloven; tail mostly forked; wings long;
legs short. The plumage of both sexes are nearly
alike.

* White's Selborne.

BRITISH BIRDS.

209

THE SWALLOW.

CHIMNEY OR HOUSE SWALLOW.

(Hinuido Rustica, Linn. — flirondelle <1c cheminle,
Temm.)

LENGTH somewhat more than six inches. Bill
black; eyes hazel; forehead and chin red, inclin-
ing to chesnut; the whole upper part of the body
black, reflected with a purplish blue on the top of
the head and scapulars ; the quills of the wings,
according to their different positions, are some-
times bluish black, and sometimes greenish brown,
whilst those of the tail are black, with green re-
flections; the fore part of the breast is black, the
rest of the breast and belly white; the inside and
corners of the mouth yellow; tail very long and
much forked, each feather, except the middle ones,
is marked with an oval white spot on the inner
web: legs very short, delicately fine, and blackish.
We have seen a young Swallow, which was shot
on the 26th of September; its length was scarcely
five inches ; its tail was short, and not forked ; the

300 BRITISH BIRDS.

feathers were black, wanting the white spots; its
breast wras tinged with red.

The Swallow makes its appearance soon after
the vernal equinox, and leaves us again about the
end of September; it builds generally in chimnies,
in the inside, within a few feet of the top, or under
the eaves of houses; the nest is curiously con-
structed, of a cylindrical shape, plastered with
mud, mixed with straw and hair, and lined with
feathers: it is attached to the sides or corners of
the chimney, and is sometimes a foot in height,
open at the top. The female lays five or six eggs,
white, speckled with red. Swallows return to the
same haunts; they build annually a new nest, and
often fix it, if the place admit, above that occupied
the preceding year. We are favoured by Sir John
Trevelyan, Bart., with the following curious fact: —
At Camerton Hall, near Bath, a pair of Swallows
built their nest on the upper part of the frame
of an old picture over the chimney, coming
through a broken pane in the window of the
room. They came three years successively, and
in all probability would have continued to do so
if the room had not been put into repair, \vhich
prevented their access to it. Both this bird and
the Martin have generally two broods in the year;
the first in June, the other in August, or perhaps
later. Swallows frequently roost at night, after
they begin to congregate, by the sides of rivers-
and pools, from which circumstance it has been
erroneously supposed that they retire into the
water.

Not many attempts have been made to preserve
Swallows alive during the winter, and of these.

BRITISH BIRDS. 301

few have succeeded. The following experiments,
by Mr. James Pearson, of London, communicated
to us by Sir John Trevelyan, Bart., are highly
interesting, and throw great light upon the natural
history of the Swallow ; we shall give them nearly
in Mr. Pearson's own words.

Five or six of these birds were taken about the
latter end of August, 1784, in a bat fowling-net, at
night; they were put separately into small cages,
and fed with Nightingale's food: in about a week
or ten days they took food of themselves; they
were then put altogether into a deep cage, four feet
long, with gravel at the bottom; a broad shallow
pan with water was placed in it, in which they
sometimes washed themselves, and seemed much
strengthened by it. One day Mr. Pearson observ-
ed, that they went into the water with unusual
eagerness, hurrying in and out again repeatedly,
with such swiftness as if they had been suddenly
seized with a frenzy. Being anxious to see the
result, he left them to themselves about half an
hour, and on going to the cage again, found them
all huddled together in a corner, apparently dead;
the cage was then placed at a proper distance from
the fire, when only two of them recovered, and
were as healthy as before — the rest died. The
two remaining ones were allowed to wash them-
selves occasionally for a short time only; but their
feet soon after became swelled and inflamed,
which Mr. P. attributed to their perching, and
they died about Christmas; thus the first year's
experiment was in some measure lost. Not dis-
couraged by the failure of this, Mr. P. determined
to make a second trial the succeeding year, from a

302 BRITISH BIRDS.

strong desire of being convinced of the truth re-
specting their going into a state of torpidity.
Accordingly, the next season, having taken some
more birds, he put them into the cage, and
in every respect pursued the same methods as
with the last; but to guard their feet from the
bad effects of the damp and cold, he covered the
perches with flannel, and had the pleasure to
observe, that the birds throve extremely well; they
sung their song through the winter, and soon
after Christmas began to moult, which they got
through without any difficulty, and lived three or
four years, regularly moulting every year at the
usual time. On the renewal of their feathers, it
appeared, that their tails were forked exactly the
same as in those birds which return hither in the
spring, and in every respect their appearance was
the same. These birds, says Mr. Pearson, were
exhibited to the Society for Promoting Natural
History, on the i-ith day of February, 1786, at the
time they were in a deep moult, during a severe
frost, when the snow was on the ground. Minutes
of this circumstance were entered in the books of
the society. These birds died at last from neglect,
during a long illness which Mr. Pearson had : they
died in the summer. Mr. P. concludes his very
interesting account in these words: — "January 20,
1797, I have now in my house, No. 21, Great New-
port-street, Long- Acre, four Swallows in moult, in
as perfect health as any birds ever appeared to be
when moulting."

These experiments have since been amply con-
firmed by the observations of M. Natterer, of
Vienna, as stated by M. Temminck in his Manuel

BRITISH BIRDS. 303

d'Ornithologie ; and the result clearly proves, what
is in fact now admitted on all hands, that Swallows
do not in any material instance differ from other
birds in their nature and propensities; but that
they leave us when this country can no longer
furnish them with a supply of their proper and
natural food: but more especially when the great
object of their coming, that of propagating their
kind, has been fulfilled.

Swallows soon become familiar* after they have

* The following remarkable proof of this is extracted from a letter
to the author, from the Rev. Walter Trevelyan, dated Long Witton,
Northumberland, Sept. 10, 1800 : —

"About nine weeks ago, a Swallow fell down one of our chimnies,
nearly fledged, arid was able to fly in two or three days. The children
desired they might try to rear him (to which I agreed, fearing the
old ones would desert him), and as he was not the least shy, they
succeeded without any difficulty, for he opened his mouth for flies
as fast as they could supply them, and was regularly fed to a whistle.
In a few days (perhaps a week) they used to take him into the fields
with them, and as each child found a fly, and whistled, the little bird
flew for his prey, from one to another; at other times he would fly
round above them in the air, but always descended at the first call,
in spite of the constant endeavours of the wild Swallows to seduce
him away; for which purpose several of them at once would fly about
him in all directions, striving to drive him away when they saw him
about to settle on one of the children's hands, extended with the
food. He would very often alight on the children, uncalled, when
they were walking several fields distant from home.

"Our little inmate was never made a prisoner, by being put into
a cage, but always ranged about the room at large, wherever the
children were, and they never went out of doors without taking him
with them. Sometimes he would sit on their hands or heads, and
catch flies for himself, which he soon did with great dexterity. At
length, finding it take up too much of their time to supply him with
food enough to satisfy his appetite (for I have no doubt he ate from
seven hundred to a thousand flies a-day), they used to turn him out
of the house, shutting the window to prevent his return, for two or

304 BRITISH BIRDS.

been caught; that from which the foregoing figure
was taken had been slightly wounded in the wing,
so as to prevent its flying away. It sat on the
bench while the cut was engraved, and from its
having been fed by the hand with flies, when
sitting for its portrait, watched every motion, and
at every look of the eye, when pointedly directed
towards it, ran close up to the graver, in expecta-
tion of a fresh supply of food.

three hours together, in hopes he would learn to cater for himself,
which he soon did, but still was no less tame, always answering their
call, and coming in at the window to them (of his own accord) fre-
quently, every day, and always roosting in their room, which he has
regularly done from the first till within a week or ten days past. He
constantly roosted on one of the children's heads till their bed-time;
nor was he disturbed by the child moving about, or even walking, but
would remain perfectly quiet, with his head under his wing, till he
was put away for the night in some warm corner: for he liked much
warmth.

"It is now four days since he came in to roost in the house, and
though he did not then show any symptoms of shyness, yet he is
evidently becoming less tame, as the whistle will not now bring
him to the hand, nor does he visit us as formerly, but he always
acknowledges it when within hearing, by a chirp, and by flying near.
Nothing could exceed his tameness for about six weeks, and I have
no doubt it would have continued the same, had we not left him
to himself as much as we could, fearing he would be so perfectly
domesticated that he would be left behind at the time of migration,
and of course be starved in the winter, from cold or hunger.

"One thing I have observed, which perhaps is not much known,
is, that these birds cast like the Hawk tribe."

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE MARTIN.

MARTLET, MARTINET, OR WINDOW SWALLOW

(Hirundo Urbicay Linn. — Hirondcllc dc
Temm.

LENGTH about five inches and a half. Bill
black; eyes dark hazel; inside of the mouth yel-
low; the top of the head, the wings, and tail
dusky brown ; back black, glossed with blue ;
the rump and all the under parts from the chin
to the vent, are pure white ; ends of the se-
condary quill feathers finely edged with white;
the legs are covered with white downy feathers
down to the claws, which are white also, very
sharp, and much hooked; the middle toe is much
longer than the others, and is connected with
the inner one as far as the first joint.

This bird visits us in great numbers ; it has
generally two broods, sometimes three, in the
year; it builds in craggy precipices near the
sea, or by the sides of lakes, most frequently,

VOL. I. 2 Q

306 BRITISH BIRDS.

however, under the eaves of houses,* or close by
the window. The nest is made of mud and straw
on the outside, and lined with feathers; the first
hatch consists of five eggs, which are white, in-
clining to dusky at the thicker end; the second
of three or four; and the third of only two or
three. While the young birds are confined to
the nest, the parents feed them, adhering by the
claws to the outside; but as soon as they are
able to fly, they receive their nourishment on
the wing, by a motion quick and almost imper-
ceptible to those who are not accustomed to ob-
serve it.

The Martin arrives somewhat later than the
Swallow, and does not leave us so soon; they
have been observed in the neighbourhood of Lon-
don so late as the middle of October. White,
in his Natural History of Selborne, has made
some judicious remarks on these birds, with a
view to illustrate the time and manner of their
migrations, to which we beg leave to refer.

* The following passage of our "sweet Shakespeare," descriptive
of its haunts, has always been admired as conveying a perfect idea
of amenity of situation : —

" The guest of summer,

The temple-haunting martlet, does approve
By his lov'd mansionry, that the heaven's breath
Smells wooingly here : no jutty, frieze, buttress,
Nor coigne of vantage, but this bird hath made
His pendent bed, and procreant cradle: Where they
Most breed and haunt, I have observed, the air
Is delicate."

BRITISH BIRDS. 307

THE SAND MARTIN.

BANK MARTIN, OR SAND SWALLOW.

(Hirundo Riparia, Linn. — Hirondelle de rivagc,
Temm.)

LENGTH about four inches and three-quarters.
Bill dark horn colour ; head, neck, breast, and
back mouse colour ; over each eye is a light
streak ; throat and fore part of the neck white,
as are the belly and vent; wings and tail brown;
feet smooth and dark brown.

This is the smallest, as well as the least nu-
merous of our Swallows. It frequents the steep
sandy banks of rivers, in the sides of which it
makes deep holes, and places the nest at the end;
it is carelessly constructed of straw, dry grass,
and feathers ; the female lays five or six white
eggs, almost transparent, and is said to have
only one brood in the year.

308 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SWIFT.

BLACK MARTIN, OR SCREAMER.

(Cypsehis Murartus, Temm. — Martinet de murailh-,
Temm.)

LENGTH nearly eight inches. Bill black; eyes
hazel; general colour a sooty black, with greenish
reflections; throat white; wings long, measuring
from tip to tip about eighteen inches; tail much
forked ; legs dark brown and very short ; toes
stand two and two on each side of the foot, and
consist of two phalanges or joints only, a con-
formation peculiar to this bird. There is hardly
any difference between the male and the female.

The Swift arrives later, and departs sooner
than any of the tribe; it is larger, stronger, and
its flight is more rapid than that of any other of
its kindred. It has but one brood in the year,
so that the young ones have time to gain strength
enough to accompany the parent birds in their dis-
tant excursions. They have been noticed at the
Cape of Good Hope, and probably visit the more
remote regions of Asia. Swifts are almost con-
tinually on the wing; they fly higher, and \vheel

BRITISH BIRDS. 309

with bolder wing than the Swallows, with which
they never intermingle. The life of the Swift
seems to be divided into two extremes; the one
of the most violent exertion, the other of perfect
inaction; they must either shoot through the air,
or remain close in their holes. They are seldom
seen to alight; but if by any accident they should
fall upon a piece of even ground, it is with diffi-
culty they can recover themselves, owing to the
shortness of their feet, and the great length of
their wings. They are said to avoid heat, and
for this reason pass the middle of the day in their
holes; in the morning and evening they go out in
quest of provision ; they then are seen in flocks,
describing an endless series of circles upon circles,
sometimes in close ranks pursuing the direction of
a street, and sometimes whirling round a large
edifice, all screaming together; they often glide
along without stirring their wings, and on a sud-
den they move them with frequent and quickly
repeated strokes. Swifts build generally in lofty
steeples and high towers : sometimes under the
arches of bridges, which, though their elevation
is not great, are difficult of access : the nest is
composed of a variety of materials, such as dry
grass, moss, hemp, bits of cord, threads of silk and
linen, small shreds of gauze, of muslin, feathers,
and other light substances which they chance to
find in the sweepings of towns. It is difficult to
conceive how these birds, which are never seen
to alight, gather such materials; some have sup-
posed that they catch them in the air as they are
carried up by the wind ; others, that they raise
them by glancing along the surface of the ground :

310 BRITISH BIRDS.

while others assert, with more probability, that
they often rob the Sparrow, and occupy the same
hole, after driving out the possessor. The female
lays five white eggs, rather pointed and spindle-
shaped; the young ones are hatched about the
latter end of May ; they begin to fly about the
middle of June, and shortly after abandon the
nest, after which the parents seem no more to
regard them.

Swifts begin to assemble previously to their
departure early in July : their numbers daily in-
crease, and large bodies appear together : they
soar higher, with shriller cries, and fly differently
from their usual mode. These meetings continue
till towards the middle of August, after which
they disappear.

4-Q&.

^f

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE NIGHT-JAR.

GOAT-SUCKER, DOR-HAWK, OR FERN OWL.

(Caprimulgus Enropirus, Linn. — Engoulevent
ordinaire^ Temm.)

THE length is about ten inches and a half. Bill
small, flat, and somewhat hooked at the tip, and
furnished on each side of the upper mandible with
several strong* bristles, whereby it secures its prey;
the lower jaw is edged with a white stripe, which
extends backward towards the head; the eyes are
large, full, and black ; the plumage beautifully
freckled and powdered with browns of various
hues, mixed with rusty and white, but so diversi-
fied as to bafHe all description. The male is
distinguished by an oval spot of white on the
inner webs of the first three quill feathers, and at
the ends of the two outermost feathers of the tail ;
the legs are short, rough, and scaly, and feathered
below the knee; the toes are connected by a mem-
brane as far as the first joint; the middle one is

312 BRITISH BIRDS.

considerably larger than the rest, and the claw is
serrated on one side.

To avoid, as much as possible, perpetuating
error, we have dropped the name Goat-sucker,
which has no foundation but in ignorance and
superstition, and have adopted one, which, though
not universally kno\vn, bears some analogy to the
nature and qualities of the bird, both in respect
to the time of its appearance, \vhich is always the
dusk of the evening, as well as to the jarring noise
which it utters wrhilst at rest perched on a tree, and
by which it is peculiarly distinguished.

The Night-jar is found in every part of the old
continent, from Siberia to Greece, Africa, and
India; it arrives in this country about the end of
May, being one of our latest birds of passage,
and departs in the end of August or the beginning
of September ; it is no\vhere numerous, and never
appears in flocks. Like the Owl, it is seldom seen
in the day-time, unless disturbed, or in dark and
gloomy weather, wrhen its eyes are not dazzled by
the bright rays of the sun. It feeds on insects,
which it catches on the wing ; it is a great destroyer
of the cock-chafer or dor-beetle, from which cir-
cumstance, in some places, it is called the Dor-
hawk. Six of these insects were found in the
stomach of our specimen, besides four or five
large-bodied moths. White supposes that the feet
are useful in taking its prey, as he observed it
frequently, while on the wing, put forth a leg, with
which it seemed to convey something to its mouth.
These birds frequent moors and wild heathy tracts
abounding with ferns; they make no nest, but the
female deposits her eggs on the ground; she lays

BRITISH BIRDS. 313

only two or three, which are dull white, spotted
with brown. They are seen most frequently to-
wards autumn : their motions are irregular and
rapid, sometimes wheeling in quick succession
round a tree or other object, diving at intervals
as if to catch their prey, and then rising again
as suddenly. The Night-jar usually perches on a
bare branch, its head lower than its tail, and in
this attitude utters its jarring note; it is likewise
distinguished by a sort of buzzing while on the
wing, which has been compared to the noise
caused by the quick rotation of a spinning-wheel,
from which, in some places, it is called the Wheel-
bird : sometimes it utters a small plaintive note or
squeak, four or five times in succession : the latter
is probably its call to invite the female. It does
not perch like other birds, sitting across the
branch, but lengthwise, and its hinder toe is
capable of being turned forward as well as back-
ward. In hot weather it is very fond of basking
in the sun on the ground, and will suffer itself
to be very nearly approached; but it is difficult to
be seen on account of the resemblance of its
plumage to the colour of the place on which it
chuses to sit. It is a solitary bird, two being
seldom found together, but sitting at a little dis-
tance from each other.

VOL. I. 2 R

314 BRITISH BIRDS.

f[)c

THE various families which constitute this order
are distinguished by shades and gradations so
minute, as to exceed all description. By much the
larger portion are the willing" attendants on man,
and depend on his bounty, seldom leaving the
dwellings provided for them, and only roaming
abroad to seek amusement, or to procure sub-
sistence ; but when we consider the lightness of
their bodies, the great strength of their wings,
and the amazing rapidity of their flight, it is a
matter of wonder that they should submit even
to a partial domestication, or occupy those tene-
ments fitted up for the purpose of breeding and
rearing their young. It must be observed, how-
ever, that in these they live rather as voluntary
captives, or transient guests, than as permanent
or settled inhabitants, enjoying a considerable
portion of that liberty they so much delight in :
on the slightest molestation they will sometimes
abandon their mansion with all its conveniences,
and seek a solitary lodgement in the holes of old
walls or unfrequented towers; and some ornith-
ologists assert, that they will even take refuge in
the woods, wrhere, impelled by instinct, they re-
sume their native manners.

The varieties and intermixtures of this tribe are
innumerable, and partake of all those diversified
hues which are the result of domestication. The

* This order is composed of Columba alone.

BRITISH BIRDS. 315

habits of Pigeons are well known, no birds being
more universally diffused. Having a powerful
wing, they are enabled to perform very distant
journies ; accordingly, wild and tame Pigeons
occur in every climate, and although they thrive
best in warm countries, yet with care they suc-
ceed also in very northern latitudes. Their man-
ners are gentle and lively; they are fond of
society, and have always been held emblematic
of peace and innocence; they are faithful to their
mates, whom they solicit with the softest cooings,
the tenderest caresses, and the most graceful
movements. The exterior form of the Pigeon is
elegant : the bill is weak, straight, and slender,
and has a soft protuberance at the base, in which
the nostrils are placed, the point is somewhat
curved: the legs are short and red, and the toes
divided to the origin. They moult once, and the
sexes do not differ in plumage.

BRTTfSH BIRDS.

THE RING DOVE.

(.TSHAT, OK QUKEST.

(Columba Palumbus^ Linn. — Colombe rainier, Temm.)

Is the largest of all the Pigeon tribe, and mea-
sures about seventeen inches in length. The bill
is pale red: the nostrils are covered with a mealy
red fleshy membrane; eyes pale yellow; the upper
parts of the body bluish ash, deepest on the upper
part of the back, the lower part of which, the
rump, and fore part of the neck and the head, are
pale ash-grey; the lower part of the neck and
breast are vinous ash; the belly, thighs, and vent
dull white; on the hinder part of the neck is a
semi-circular line of white (whence the name)
above and beneath which the feathers are glossy,
and of a changeful hue in different lights ; the
greater quills are dusky, and all of them, except-

BRITISH BIRDS. 317

ing the outermost, edged Avith white ; from the
point of the wing a white line extends downwards,
passing above the bastard wing; the tail is ash-
grey, tipped with black; legs red, and partly co-
vered with feathers ; claws black.

The Ring Dove is very generally diffused,
throughout Europe : it is said to be migratory,
but that it does not leave us entirely is certain,
for they assemble in flocks during the winter on
the banks of the Tyne, where many of them con-
stantly breed in the spring. They build on trees.
The nest is composed of small twigs, so loosely
put together, that the eggs may be seen through
it from below. The female lays two white eggs,
and is generally supposed to have two broods in
the year. They feed on acorns, wild fruits, herbs,
and grain of all kinds ; they likewise are very fond
of the roots of the pernicious weeds so well known
to farmers under the denomination of whickc/is, of
which the Triticniii rcfciis, or couch-grass, is the
principal: their flesh is very delicious when they
have fed upon these, but it soon acquires an un-
pleasant flavour when they have lived upon tur-
nips, which, from necessity, they are driven to eat
in severe winters. The Ring Dove has a louder
and more plaintive sort of cooing than the com-
mon Pigeon, but is not heard except in pairing
time, or during fine weather.

BRITISH BIRDS.

ROCK DOVE.
(Columba Lii'ia, Briss. — Colombe biset, Temm.)

LENGTH fourteen inches. Bill pale brown; the
head, neck, and upper part of the back deep bluish
grey, reflected on the sides of the neck with glossy
green and gold; breast pale reddish purple; the
lower part of the back and the rump light grey or
ash, as are also the belly, thighs, and under tail
coverts ; the primary quill feathers are dusky,
edged with white, the others grey, marked with two
black spots on the exterior webs, forming two bars
across each wing; tail ash-grey, tipped with black;
lower half of the two outermost feathers white : legs
and feet red; claws black.

This species is probably the origin of most
of those beautiful varieties which in a state of
domestication are dependent upon man. In this

BRITISH BIRDS. 319

state their increase is prodigious; and, though
they never lay more than two eggs at a time, yet,
allowing them to breed nine times in the year, the
produce of a single pair, at the expiration of four
years, may amount to the enormous number of
14,762.* The male and female perform the office
of incubation by turns, and feed their young by
casting up the provisions out of their stomachs
into the mouths of the young ones.

To describe the varieties of the domestic Pigeon
would exceed the limits of our work ; we shall there-
fore barely mention the names of the most noted
among them, such as Tumblers, Carriers, Jaco-
bins, Croppers, Powters, Runts, Turbits, Shakers,
Smiters, Owls, Nuns, &c. Of these the Carrier
Pigeon is the most deserving of notice, having
been made use of, from very early times, to con-
vey intelligence on the most important occasions,
and it never fails to execute its commission with
unequalled expedition and certainty.! The bird
used on these occasions is taken from the place to
which the advices are to be communicated, and
the letter being tied under its wing, it is let loose,
and in spite of surrounding armies and every ob-
stacle that would have effectually prevented any
other means of conveyance, guided by instinct
alone, it returns directly home, where the intelli-
gence is so much wanted. There are instances
on record of their having been employed during
a siege, to convey an account of its progress, of

* Stillingfleet's Tracts.
f In Asia, Pigeons are still used to convey intelligence.

320

BRITISH BIRDS.

the situation of the besieged, and of the probable
means of relief: sometimes they have been the
peaceful bearers of glad tidings to the anxious
lover, and to the merchant, of the welcome news
of the safe arrival of his vessel at the desired
port.

BRITISH BIRDS.

321

THE TURTLE DOVE.

(Colnmba Turtur, Linn. — Colombc Tourtcrcllc,
Temm.)

LENGTH somewhat more than twelve inches.
Bill brown, eyes yellow, encompassed with a crim-
son circle ; top of the head ash-grey, mixed with
olive ; each side of the neck is marked with a
spot of black feathers, tipped with white ; the back
is ash-grey, each feather margined with reddish
brown ; wing coverts and scapulars reddish brown,
spotted with black ; quill feathers dusky, edges
pale ; the fore part of the neck and the breast are
light purplish red ; the belly, thighs, and vent
white ; the two middle feathers of the tail brown,
the others dusky, tipped with \vhite, the two outer-
most also edged with the same : legs red. One of
these birds, which was sent us by the Rev. Henry

VOL. i. 2 s

322 BRITISH BIRDS.

Ridley, was shot out of a flock at Prestwick-Car,
in Northumberland, in the month of September,
i 794 ; it agreed in every respect with the Common
Turtle, excepting the mark on each side of the
neck, which was wholly wanting : we suppose it to
have been a young bird.

The note of the Turtle Dove is singularly tender
and plaintive : in addressing his mate, the male
makes use of a variety of winning attitudes, cooing
at the same time in the most gentle and soothing
accents ; on which account this bird has been
represented in all ages, as the most perfect emblem
of connubial attachment and constancy. It arrives
late in the spring, and departs about the latter end
of August : frequenting the thickest and most shel-
tered parts of the woods, where it builds on the
highest trees ; the female lays two eggs, and has
only one brood in this country, but in warmer
climates it is supposed to breed several times in
the year. Turtles are pretty common in Kent,
where they are sometimes seen in flocks of twenty
or more, frequenting the pea fields, and doing
much damage. Their stay with us seldom exceeds
four or five months, during which time they pair,
breed, and rear their young, which are strong
•enough to join them in their retreat.

BRITISH BIRDS. 323.

ft)c gallinaceous hin5.*

WE are now to speak of a very numerous and
useful order of birds, which, by the bounty of Pro-
vidence, is diffused throughout every country of
the world, affording a plentiful and grateful supply
of the most delicate, wholesome, and nutritious
food. A large portion of these seem to have left
their native woods to crowd around the dwellings
of man, where, subservient to his purpose, they
subsist upon the pickings of the farmyard, the
stable, or the dunghill ; a cheerful, active race^
which enliven and adorn the rural scene, and re-
quire no other care than the fostering hand of the
housewife to protect them. Some kinds, such as.
the Pheasant, the Partridge, and the like, are
found only in cultivated places, at no great dis-
tance from the habitations of men ; and, although
they have not submitted to his dominion, they are
nevertheless subject to his controlling power, and
are the objects of his keenest pursuit ; whilst
others, taking a wider range, find food and shelter
in the deepest recesses of the forests, sometimes
subsisting upon wild and heathy mountains, or
among rocks and precipices the most difficult of
access.

The characters of the gallinaceous tribes are well
known : most of the species are distinguished
above all others for the whiteness of their flesh ;

* In this order (Gallinae) are included three British genera, viz.,
Phasianus, Tetrao, Perdix.

324

BRITISH BIRDS.

their bodies are large and bulky, and their heads
comparatively small : the bill in all of them is
short, strong, and somewhat curved ; their wings
are short and concave, and scarcely able to support
their bodies, on which account they seldom make
long excursions : their legs are strong, and fur-
nished with a spur or a knob behind.

Birds of this kind are extremely prolific, and lay
a great number of eggs ; the young follow the
mother as soon as hatched, and immediately pick
up the food which she is most assiduous in shew-
ing them : she generally makes her nest on the
ground, or in places easy of access to her young
brood.

Our gallant Chanticleer holds a distinguished
rank in the list of our domestic tribes ; on which
account we shall place him at the head.

BRITISH BIRDS.

325

THE COCK.
(Gallns donicsticuSy Briss. — Lc Coq, Buff.)

THE Cock, in his present state of domestication,
differs so widely from his supposed wild original,
as to render it a difficult matter to trace him back
to his primitive stock ; however it is generally
agreed that he is to be found in a state of nature in
the forests of India, and in most of the islands of
the Indian seas. The varieties of this species are
endless, every country and almost every district of
•each country, producing a different kind. From

326 BRITISH BIRDS.

Asia, where they are supposed to have originated,
they have been diffused over every part of the in-
habited world. America was the last to receive
them. It has been said that they were first intro-
duced into Brazil by the Portuguese ; they are now
as common in all the inhabited parts of that vast
continent as with us. Of those which have been
selected for domestic purposes in this country, the
principal are —

1. The Crested Cock, of which there are several
varieties, such as the white-crested black ones : the
black-crested white ones ; the gold and silver
ones, &c.

2. The Hamburgh Cock, named also Velvet
Breeches, because its thighs and belly are of a soft
black.* This is a very large kind, and much used
for the table.

3. The Bantam, or Dwarf Cock, a diminutive but
very spirited breed : its legs are furnished with
long feathers, which reach to the ground behind ;
it is very courageous, and will fight with one much
stronger than itself.

4. The Frizzled Cock. The feathers in this are
so curled up that they seem to be reversed, and to
stand in opposite directions. They are originally
from the southern parts of Asia, and when young
are extremely sensible of cold. They have a dis-
ordered and unpleasant appearance, but are in
much esteem for the table.

5. The Silk Fowls, whose skin and bones are
black.

6. A kind which has no rump, and consequently
no tail feathers.

* Buff on.

BRITISH BIRDS. 327

We shall finish our list with the English Game-
cock, which stands unrivalled by those of any other
country for its invincible courage, and on that ac-
count is made use of as the instrument of the cruet
diversion of cock-fighting. To trace this custom to
its origin we must look back into ancient times.
The Athenians allotted one day in the year to cock-
fighting ; the Romans are said to have learned it
from them ; and by that warlike people it was first
introduced into this island. Henry VIII. was so
attached to the sport, that in order to enjoy it, he
caused a commodious house to be erected, which,
though it is now applied to a very different pur-
pose, still retains the name of the Cock-pit. The
Chinese, and many of the nations of India, are so
extravagantly fond of this unmanly and disgraceful
amusement, that, during the paroxysms of their
phrenzy, they will sometimes risk not only the
whole of their property, but their wives and chil-
dren, on the issue of a battle.

The appearance of the Game-cock, when in his
full plumage, and not mutilated for the purpose of
fighting, is strikingly beautiful and animated : his
head, which is small, is adorned with a beautiful
red comb, and his chin and throat with wattles ; his
eyes sparkle with fire, and his whole demeanour be-
speaks boldness and freedom. The feathers on his
neck are long, slender, and pointed, and fall grace-
fully down upon his body, which is thick, muscular,
and compact : his tail is long, and the flexile fea-
thers which fall over it form a beautiful arch behind,
which gives a grace to all his motions ; his legs
are strong, and armed with sharp spurs, with which
he defends himself, and attacks his adversary;

328 BRITISH BIRDS.

he lays hold with his beak, and strikes with
the feet and wing's. When surrounded by his
females, his whole aspect is full of animation; he
allows of no competitor, but, on the approach of a
rival, rushes forward to instant combat, and either
drives him from the field, or perishes in the
attempt. The Cock is very attentive to his females,
hardly ever losing sight of them ; he leads, defends,,
and cherishes them, collects them together when
they straggle, and seems to eat unwillingly till he
sees them feeding around him : when he loses
them he utters his griefs, and from the different in-
flections of his voice, and the various significant
gestures which he makes, one would be led to con-
clude that it is a species of language which serves
to communicate his sentiments. The fecundity of
the hen is great : she lays generally two eggs in
three days, and continues to lay through the
greater part of the year, excepting the time of
moulting, which lasts about two months. After
having laid about ten or twelve eggs, she prepares
for the anxious task of incubation, and gives the
most certain indications of her wants by her cries,
duckings, and the violence of her emotions.
Should she be deprived of her own eggs, she will
cover those of any other kind, or even fictitious
ones of stone or chalk, by which means she wastes
herself in fruitless efforts. A sitting hen is a lively
emblem of the most affectionate solicitude ; she
covers her eggs with her wings and body, fosters
them with a genial warmth, and changes them
gently, that all parts may be properly heated; she
seems to perceive the importance of her employ-
ment, on which she is so intent, that she neglects,.

BRITISH BIRDS. 329

in some measure, the necessary supplies of food
and drink ; she omits no care, overlooks no precau-
tion, to complete the existence of the little incipient
being's, and to guard against the dangers that
threaten them ; the cock takes upon himself no
part of the duty. Buifon, with his usual elegance,
observes " that the condition of a sitting hen, how-
ever insipid it may appear to us, is perhaps not a
tedious situation, but a state of continual joy : so
much has nature connected raptures with whatever
relates to the multiplication of her creatures I"

For a curious account of the process of incuba-
tion, in the development of the chick, we refer our
readers to the above-mentioned author, who has
given a minute detail of the several appearances
which take place till the chick is ready to come
forth.

The Egyptians have a method of hatching eggs
without the assistance of the hen, and in great
numbers at once, by means of artificial heat. A
similar practice has been introduced into this coun-
try. The process is managed by steam, and
patents taken out for it !

VOL. i. 2 T

330

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE TURKEY.

( M elect gr is Gallop&vO) Einn. — Lc Diudou, Buff.;

IT seems to be generally allowed that this bird
was originally brought from America, and that in
its wild state it is considerably larger than our
domestic Turkey. The general colour is black,
variegated with bronze and bright glossy green, in
some parts changing to purple ; the quills are
green gold, black towards the ends, and tipped
with white ; the tail consists of eighteen feathers,
brown, mottled and tipped with black ; the tail
coverts are waved with black and white ; on the
breast is a tuft of black hairs, eight inches in
length ; in other respects it resembles the domestic

BRITISH BIRDS. 331

bird, especially in having a bare red carunculated
head and neck, a fleshy dilatable appendage hang-
ing over the bill, and a short blunt spur or knob at
the back part of the leg.

Tame Turkies, like every other animal in a state
of domestication, are of various colours ; of these
the prevailing one is dark grey, inclining to black,
with a little white towards the end of the feathers;
some are perfectly white ; others black and white ;
there is also a beautiful variety of a fine deep cop-
per colour, with the greater quills pure white ; the
tail of a dirty white ; in all of them the tuft of
black hair on the breast is prevalent. Great num-
bers are bred in Norfolk, Suffolk, and other coun-
ties, whence they are driven to the London markets
in flocks of several hundreds. The drivers manage
them with facility, by means of a bit of red rag tied
to a long rod, which, from the antipathy these birds
bear to that colour, effectually drives them forward.

The motions of the male, when agitated with
desire, or inflamed with rage, are very similar to
those of the Peacock ; he erects his tail, and
spreads it like a fan, whilst his wings droop and
trail on the ground, and he utters at the same time
a dull hollow sound ; he struts round and round
with a solemn pace, assumes all the dignity of the
most majestic of birds, every now and then burst-
ing out abruptly into a loud unmusical gurgle.
The hen begins to lay early in the spring ; she is
very attentive to the business of incubation, and
will produce fifteen or sixteen chicks at one time,
but seldom has more than one hatch in a season in
this climate. Young Turkies, after their extrica-
tion from the shell, are very tender, and require

332

BRITISH BIRDS.

great attention in rearing, being subject to a
variety of diseases from cold, rain, and dews ; even
the sun itself, when they are exposed to its more
powerful rays, is said to occasion almost immediate
death. As soon as they are sufficiently strong,
they are abandoned by the mother, and are then
capable of enduring the utmost rigour of our
winters.

BRITISH BIRDS.

333

THE PEACOCK.
(Pavo crhtahtSy Linn. — Lc Paon, BuiF.)

To describe the inimitable beauties of this bird,
in adequate terms, would be a task of no small dif-
ficulty. " Its matchless plumage/' says Buffon,
" seems to combine all that delights the eye in the

334 BRITISH BIRDS.

soft and delicate tints of the finest flowers, all that
dazzles it in the sparkling lustre of the gems, and
all that astonishes it in the grand display of the
rainbow." Its head is adorned with a tuft, consist-
ing of twenty-four feathers, whose slender shafts
are furnished with webs only at the ends, painted
with the most exquisite green, mixed with gold ;
the head, throat, neck, and breast, are of a deep
blue glossed with green and gold ; the back of the
same, tinged with bronze ; the scapular and lesser
wing coverts reddish cream colour, variegated with
black; the middle coverts deep blue, glossed with
green and gold ; the greater coverts and bastard
wing reddish brown, as are also the quills, some of
which are variegated with black and green ; the
belly and vent are black, with a greenish hue ; but
the distinguishing character of this singular bird is
its train, which rises above the tail, and, when
erected, forms a fan of the most resplendent hues:
the two middle feathers are sometimes four feet
and a half long, the others gradually diminishing
on each side; the shafts, which are white, are fur-
nished from their origin nearly to the end, with
parted filaments of varying colours ending in a flat
vane, which is decorated with what is called the
eye. " This is a brilliant spot, enamelled with the
most enchanting colours ; yellow, gilded with vari-
ous shades; green, running into blue and bright
violet, varying according to its different positions;
the whole receiving additional lustre from the
colour of the centre, which is a fine velvet black."
When pleased or delighted, and in the sight of his
females, the Peacock erects his train, and displays
the majesty of his beauty: all his movements are

BRITISH BIRDS. 335

lull of dignity ; his head and neck bend nobly
back ; his pace is slow and solemn, and he fre-
quently turns slowly and gracefully round, as if to
catch the sunbeams in every direction and produce
new colours of inconceivable richness, accompanied
at the same time with a hollow murmuring voice.
The cry of the Peacock, at other times, especially
on a summer evening and night, is often repeated,
and is very disagreeable.

The Pea-hen is somewhat less than the cock,
and though furnished both with a train and crest,
is destitute of those dazzling beauties by which he
is distinguished. She lays five or six whitish
eggs, in some secret spot, where she can conceal
them from the male, who is apt to break them :
she sits from twenty-five to thirty days, according
to the temperature of the climate or season.

These birds were originally brought from the
distant parts of India, and thence have been dif-
fused over the civilized world. The first notice of
them is to be found in holy writ,* where we are
told they made part of the cargoes of the valuable
fleet which every three years imported the treasures
of the East to Solomon's court. They are some-
times found wild in many parts of Asia and Africa :
the largest and finest are said to be met with in the
neighbourhood of the Ganges, and on the fertile
plains of India, where they attain a great size : un-
der the influence of that climate this beautiful bird
exhibits its dazzling colours, which seem to vie with
the gems and precious stones produced in those
delightful regions. In colder climates they re-

* 2nd Chron. ix. 21.

336

BRITISH BIRDS.

quire great care in rearing", and do not obtain their
full plumage till the third year. Though rarely
brought to the table now, they were in former
times considered a delicacy, and made a part of
the luxurious entertainments of the Roman volup-
tuaries.

The females sometimes assume the plumage of
the male ; this is said to take place after they have
done laying. A bird of this kind is preserved in
the British Museum.

White Peacocks are not uncommon in England :
the eyes of the train are barely visible, and may be
traced by a different undulation of shade upon the
pure white of the tail.

BRITISH BIRDS.

337

THE PINTADO.

GUINEA FOWL, OR PEARLED HEX.

(Xiunida Mclcngris, Linn. — La Pin fade, Buff.)

THIS bird is somewhat larger than the Common
Hen. The head is bare of feathers, and covered
with a naked bluish skin; on the top is a callous
conical protuberance; at the base of the lower
mandible, on each side, hangs a loose wattle, which
in the female is red, and in the male bluish; the
upper part of the neck is almost naked, being
very thinly furnished with a few straggling hairy
feathers; the skin is light ash: the lower part of
the neck is covered with feathers of a purple hue;
the general colour of the plumage is dark bluish
grey, sprinkled with round white spots of different
sizes, resembling pearls, from which it has been
called the Pearled Hen; its wings are short, and

VOL i. 2 u

338 BRITISH BIRDS.

the tail pendulous, or pointing downwards ; its legs
are of a dark colour.

This species, which is now very common with us,
was originally from Africa, whence it has been dif-
fused over every part of Europe, the West Indies,
and America; it formed part of the Roman ban-
quets, and is still much esteemed as a delicacy,
especially when young. The female lays a great
number of eggs, which she frequently secretes till
she has produced her young brood; the egg is
smaller than that of a Common Hen, of a rounder
shape, and the shell much thicker; it is very de-
licious eating.

The Pintado is a restless, clamorous bird, with a
harsh creaking note, which is very grating and un-
pleasant, resembling the sound of a rusty hinge,
and an often repeated call like "come back, conic
back, come back:" it scrapes the ground like the
Hen, and rolls in the dust to free itself from in-
sects. During the night it roosts on high places ;
and if disturbed alarms every thing within hearing
by its unceasing cry. In its natural state of free-
dom it is said to prefer marshy places.

BRITISH BIRDS.

339

THE PHEASANT.

(Phasianus ( *olchiciis. Linn. — Faisan vnlgaire,
Temm.)

LENGTH two feet eleven inches. The bill is of a
pale horn colour; the nostrils are hid under an
arched covering; eyes yellow, and surrounded by
a space in appearance like scarlet cloth, finely
spotted with black; immediately under each eye is
a small patch of short feathers of a dark glossy
purple; the upper parts of the head and neck are
deep purple, varying to glossy green and blue;

340 BRITISH BIRDS.

lower parts of the neck and the breast reddish
chesnut, with black indented edges; the sides and
lower part of the breast the same, with pretty large
tips of black to each feather, which in different
lights vary to a glossy purple ; the belly and vent
are dusky; back and scapulars beautifully varie-
gated with black and white, or cream colour speck-
led with black, and mixed with deep orange, all
the feathers are edged with black; on the lower
part of the back there is a mixture of green; the
quills are dusky, freckled with white; wing coverts
brown, glossed with green, and edged with white;
rump plain reddish brown; the two middle feathers
of the tail are about twenty inches long, the shortest
on each side less than five, of a reddish brown,
marked with transverse bars of black; legs dusky,
with a short blunt spur on each, but in some old
birds the spurs are as sharp as needles; between
the toes there is a strong membrane.

The female is less, and does not exhibit that
variety and brilliancy of plumage which distinguish
the male: the general colours are light and dark
brown, mixed with black, the breast and belly
finely freckled with small black spots on a light
ground; the tail is short, and barred somewhat like
that of the male ; the space round the eye is covered
Avith feathers.*

* The Hen Pheasant is sometimes known, when she has done
breeding to assume the garb of a male. The late eminent phy-
siologist, John Hunter, in a paper read before the Royal Society,
and published in the Philosophical Transactions for 1780, says —
''It is remarked by those who are conversant with this bird, when
wild, that there appears now and then a Hen Pheasant with the
feathers of the cock; and all that they have decided on this subject

BRITISH BIRDS. 341

The Ring Pheasant is a fine variety of this spe-
cies; its principal difference consists in a white
ring, which /encircles the lower part of the neck;
the colours of the plumage in general are likewise
more distinct and vivid. A fine specimen of this
bird was sent us by the Rev. William Turner, of
Newcastle, from which the figure was engraven.
They are sometimes met with in the neighbour-
hood of Alnwick, whither they were brought by his
Grace the late Duke of Northumberland. That
they intermix with the common breed is very ob-
vious, as in some we have seen, the ring was hardly
visible, and in others a few feathers only, marked
with white, appeared on each side of the neck,
forming a white spot. It is much to be regretted
that this beautiful breed is likely soon to be de-
stroyed, by those who pursue every species of game
with an avaricious and indiscriminating rapacity.

There are many varieties of Pheasants, of extra-
ordinary beauty and brilliancy of colours : in many
gentlemen's woods there is a kind as white as
snow, which will intermix with the common ones.
Many of the gold and silver kinds, brought from
China, are also kept in aviaries in this kingdom;

is, that this animal does not breed, and that its spurs do not grow."
He further notices, that in two of these birds which he dissected, he
found them perfectly feminine, having " both the ovaria and the ovi-
duct.'' A Pheasant exhibiting the same kind of plumage as those
mentioned by Mr. Hunter, was shot in January, 1805, by Sir Thomas
Frankland, Bart., and presented to this work. This bird was of the
size of the common Hen Pheasant, its tail nearly the same; it was
without spurs, and had no scarlet around the eyes, and in rising its
cry was that of the hen; in other respects its plumage was nearly
like that of the male, only not so brilliant in colour.

342 BRITISH BIRDS.

the Common Pheasant is likewise a native of the
east, and is the only one of its kind that has mul-
tiplied in our island. Pheasants are generally
found in low woody places, on the borders of
plains, where they delight to sport: during the
night they roost on the branches of trees. They
are very shy birds, and do not associate together
except during the months of March and April,
when the male seeks the female: they are then
easily discoverable by the noise which they make
in crowing and clapping their wings, which may
be heard at some distance. The hen makes her
nest on the ground, like the Partridge, and lays
from twelve to fifteen olive-coloured eggs, which
are smaller than .those of the Domestic Hen: the
young follow the mother as soon as they are freed
from the shell. During the breeding season the
cock Pheasants will sometimes intermix with our
Common Hen, and produce a hybrid breed, of
which we have known several instances.

BRITISH BIRDS. 343

ff)C

BIRDS of this genus generally prefer high north-
ern latitudes, or the more lofty mountainous situa-
tions in the central parts of Europe; their food
consisting almost entirely of leaves and berries.
The larger species are said to be polygamous.
The male has greatly the advantage in point of
size and beauty of plumage. The smaller families
observe the common law of pairing, and of per-
forming together the work of incubation, with great
assiduity and affection. In these the difference of
sex is very little conspicuous. Some of the species
moult once, others twice a year.

The birds of this kind are principally charac-
terized by their strong curved beak, the massive
bulkiness of their bodies, and their plumed legs
and toes.

344

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE WOOD GROUSE.

COCK OF THE WOOD, OR CAPERCAII.E.

(Tetrao Urogallus, Einn. — Tctras aurhan^ Ternm/,

THIS bird is nearly three feet in length, and four
in breadth, and weighs from ten to fifteen pounds.
The bill is very strong, convex, and of a light horn
colour; over each eye there is a naked skin, of a
bright red: the eyes are hazel; the nostrils small,
and almost hid under a covering of short feathers,
which extend under the throat, and are there much
longer than the rest, and black; the head and neck

BRITISH BIRDS. 345

are elegantly marked with small transverse lines of
black and grey, as are also the back and wings,
but more irregularly; the breast is black, richly
glossed with green on the upper part, and mixed
with a few white feathers on the belly and thighs ;
the sides are marked like the neck; the tail con-
sists of eighteen feathers, which are black, those
on the sides are marked with a few white spots:
the legs are very stout, and covered with brown
feathers; the toes are furnished on each side with a
strong pectinated membrane. The female is con-
siderably less than the male, and differs from him
greatly in her colours ; her throat is red ; the trans-
verse bars on the head, neck, and back are red and
black; the breast pale orange; belly barred with
orange and black, the top of each feather white;
the back and wings mottled with reddish brown
and black; the scapulars tipped with white; the
tail is of a deep rust colour, barred with black, and
tipped with white.

This beautiful bird is found chiefly in high moun-
tainous regions, and is very rare in Great Britain.
Pennant mentions one, as an uncommon instance,
which was shot near Inverness. It was formerly
met with in Ireland, but is now supposed to be
extinct there. In Russia, Sweden, and other
northern countries, it is very common; it lives in
the forests of pine, with which those countries
^lbound, and feeds on the cones of the fir trees,
which, at some seasons, give an unpleasant flavour
to its flesh, so as to render it unfit for the table; it
likewise eats various kinds of plants and berries,
particularly the juniper. Early in the spring the
season for pairing commences; during this period,

VOL. i. 2 x

346 BRITISH BIRDS.

the cock places himself on an eminence, where he
displays a variety of attitudes: the feathers on his
head stand erect, his neck swells, his tail is dis-
played, and his wing's trail almost on the ground,
his eyes sparkle, and the scarlet patch on each side
of his head assumes a deeper dye; at the same
time he utters his well-known cry, which has been
compared to the sound produced by the whetting
of a scythe; it may be heard at a considerable
distance, and never fails to draw to him his faithful
mate. The female lays from eight to sixteen eggs,
which are white, spotted with yellow and not so
large as those of the Common Hen; for this pur-
pose she chooses some secret spot, where she can
sit in security: she covers her eggs carefully over
with leaves, when she is under the necessity of
leaving them in search of food. The young follow
the hen as soon as they are hatched, sometimes
with part of the shell attached to them, and remain
with her till the return of spring.

HRITISH BIRDS. 347

THK BLACK GROUSE.

BLACK (JAMK, OR BLACK COCK.

(Tctrno Tctrix, Linn. — Tetras hirkhaii, Temm.)

THIS bird, though not of greater bulk than the
Common Hen, weighs nearly four pounds ; length
about one foot ten inches, breadth two feet nine.
The bill is dark ; the eyes deep blue ; below each
eye is a spot of dirty white, and above a larger one,
of a bright scarlet, which extends almost to the top
of the head; the general colour of the plumage is
deep black, richly glossed with blue on the neck
and rump; the lesser wing coverts are dusky
brown; the greater white, which extends to the
ridge of the wing, forming a spot of that colour on
the shoulder when the wing is closed; the quills

348 BRITISH BIRDS.

are brown, the lower parts and tips of the secon-
daries white, forming a bar of white across the
wing ; there is likewise a spot of white on the bas-
tard wing; the feathers of the tail are almost
square at the ends, and when spread out, form a
curve on each side ; the under tail coverts are pure
white; the legs and thighs dark brown, mottled
with wiiite; the toes toothed on the edges like
those of the former species. In some of our speci-
mens the nostrils were thickly covered with feathers,
whilst in others they were quite bare, probably
owing to the different ages of the birds.

These birds, like the former, are common in
Russia, Siberia, and other northern countries,
chiefly in high and wooded situations; and in the
northern parts of our own island on uncultivated
moors; they feed on various kinds of berries and
other fruits, the produce of \vild and mountainous
places ; in summer they frequently come down from
their lofty situations for the sake of feeding on
corn. They do not pair, but on the return of
spring the males assemble in great numbers at
their accustomed resorts, on the tops of high and
heathy mountains, when the contest for superiority
commences and continues with great bitterness till
the vanquished are put to flight ; the victors being
left in possession of the field, place themselves on
an eminence, clap their wings, and with loud cries
give notice to their females, who immediately re-
sort to the spot. It is said that each cock has two
or three hens, which seem particularly attached to
him. The female is about one-third less than the
male, and differs from him considerably in colour;
her tail is likewise much less forked. She makes

BRITISH BIRDS.

349

an artless nest on the ground, and lays from eight
to twelve eggs, of a yellowish colour, with spots of
a rusty brown. The young cocks at first resemble
the mother, and do not acquire their male garb till
towards the end of autumn, when their plumage
gradually changes to a deeper colour and assumes
that of a bluish black, which it afterwards retains.

BRITISH BIRDS.

RED GROUSE.

KKI) CAME, MOOR GAME, GORCOCK, OR MOOR COCK.

(Tctrao Scoticusy Linn. — Tetras rouge, Temm.)

THE length of this bird is fifteen inches; weight
about nineteen ounces. The bill is black; the eyes
hazel; nostrils shaded with small red and black
feathers; at the base of the lower bill is a white
spot on each side: the throat is red; each eye is
arched with a large naked spot, of a bright scarlet;
the whole upper part of the body is beautifully
mottled with deep red and black, which gives it
the appearance of tortoise-shell; the breast and
belly are of a purplish hue, crossed with small
dusky lines: the tail consists of sixteen feathers of
equal lengths, the four middlemost barred with red,
the others black; quills dusky; the legs are clothed
with soft white feathers down to the claws, which

BRITISH BIRDS. 351

are strong, and of a light colour. The female is
somewhat less; the naked skin above each eye is
not so conspicuous, and the colours of her plumage
in general are much lighter than those of the male.
This bird is found in great plenty in the wild,
heathy, and mountainous tracts in the northern
counties of England and Wales, and particularly
in the Highlands of Scotland. They are likewise
common in the Orcades, though not one is to be
met with in the Zetland Islands, except accident-
ally. It is noticed as being peculiar to Britain;
those found in the mountainous parts of France,
Spain, Italy, and elsewhere, as mentioned by Buf-
fon, are probably only varieties of this kind,' and no
doubt \vould breed with it. It is to be wished that
attempts were more frequently made to introduce a
greater variety of these useful birds into this coun-
try, to stock our waste and barren moors with a
rich fund of delicate and wholesome food ; but till
the legislature shall alter or abrogate our very un-
equal and injudicious game laws, there hardly re-
mains a single hope for the preservation of such
birds of this species as we now have.

Red Grouse pair in the spring: the female lays
eight or ten eggs on the ground. The young ones
follow the hen the whole summer; as soon as they
have attained their full size, they unite in flocks of
forty or fifty, and are then exceedingly shy and
wild.

1JK.ITISH BIRDS.

WHITE (TROLTSE.

WHITK (rAMK. OR PTARMIGAN.

(Tctrao Lagopus, Linn. — Tetras ptarmigan , Temm.)

THIS is nearly the same size as the Red Grouse.
The bill is black; orbits bright red; the upper
parts of the body pale brown or ash, mottled with
small dusky spots and bars; the bars on the head
and neck are somewhat broader, and mixed with
white; the under parts are white, as are. also the
wings, excepting the shafts of the quills, which are
black. This is its summer dress, which in Avinter
is changed to a pure white, excepting that in the
male there is a black line between the bill and the
eye; the tail consists of sixteen feathers: the two
middle ones ash-coloured in summer, and white in
winter, the next two are slightly marked with
white near the ends, the rest are wholly black;

BRITISH BIRDS. 353

the upper tail coverts are long, and almost cover
the tail.

The White Grouse is fond of lofty situations,
where it braves the severest cold: it is found in
most of the northern parts of Europe, even as far as
Greenland ; in this country it is only to be met with
on the summits of some of our highest hills, chiefly
in the Highlands of Scotland, in the Hebrides and
Orkneys, and sometimes, but rarely, on the lofty
hills of Cumberland and Wales. Buffon, speaking
of this bird, says, that it avoids the solar heat, and
prefers the biting frosts on the tops of mountains;
for as the snow melts on the sides of the moun-
tains, it constantly ascends, till it gains the summit
where it forms holes and burrows in the snow.
They pair at the same time as the Red Grouse:
the female lays eight or ten eggs, which are white,
spotted with brown: she makes no nest, but de-
posits them on the ground. In winter they fly in
flocks, and are so little accustomed to the sight of
man, that they are easily shof or taken in a snare.
They feed on the wild productions of the hills,
which sometimes give the flesh a bitter, but not
unpalatable taste: it is dark coloured, and has
somewhat the flavour of the hare.

VOL i. 2 Y

354

BRITJSH BIRDS.

THE RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE.

GUERNSEY PARTRIDGE.

(Pcrdix Rubra, Briss. — Pcrdrix roti-gc, Temm.)

LATHAM describes this bird as being thirteen
inches in length, but does not mention either its
breadth or weight. The bill, legs, and orbits are
red; the irides hazel; chin and throat dull white,
surrounded by a black line or streak, which passes
from the brow and nostrils to the eyes, behind
which it continues, falls down before the auriculars,
and meets on the fore part of the neck; a white
streak extends from the brow over the eyes to-
wards the hinder part of the neck; the forehead is
bluish ash, fading into a rusty chesnut behind,
where the feathers are somewhat elongated, and
can be erected or depressed at pleasure; the hinder

BRITISH BIRDS 355

part of the neck is rusty chesnut, formed into a
stripe, which falls down towards the shoulders; the
rest of the neck is pale ash, inclining to blue, with
numerous longish spots of black; below this, to
the shoulders and breast, the plumage is rusty
brown, with a vinous reflection; the belly and
thighs pale rusty chesnut; the breast pale lead
grey; sides beautifully ornamented with stripes
composed of black, bright reddish chesnut, and
white; the upper parts of the plumage are rufous
brown, somewhat tinged with olive grey; quills
nearly the same, but darker, the outer edges yel-
lowish : vent brownish ash : the tail consists of six-
teen feathers, the middle ones greyish brown, the
outer ones deep reddish chesnut; under coverts of
the tail nearly the same; the legs are furnished
with a kind of double knob instead of a spur.

These birds are found in various parts of the old
continent; and are common in Germany, France,
and Italy, the islands of Madeira, Guernsey, and
Jersey; but the accounts of their breeding in Eng-
land, are contradictory. In a wild state, they pre-
fer woody and heathy wastes to inclosed ground,
but they are easily tamed, and soon become offen-
sively familiar. Latham says they are " now and
then met with in England, but do not breed there."
Montagu says, " Notwithstanding many gentle-
men have turned out the Red-legged Partridge
upon their estates, with a view to propagate the
species at large, few have succeeded." He then,
in the next sentence, says, " Mr. Daniel assures
us that they are now plentiful near Orford, in Suf-
folk, by the Marquis of Hertford having imported
many thousand eggs, which were hatched under

356

BRITISH BIRDS.

hens, and liberated;" and that this gentleman
found a covey of birds in 1777, near Colchester,
consisting of fourteen, several of which he shot.
It has been represented to the author by several of
his friends, that these birds have become so numer-
ous, in some of the eastern counties of England,
that they have banished the native breed.

A stuffed specimen, from Avhich the above figure
was taken, was lent to this work by the late Mr.
John Wingate, of Newcastle.

BRITISH BIRDS. 357

THE PARTRIDGE.

(Pcrdix Ciiicrca, Lath. — Pcnlrix Grisc, Temm.)

LENGTH about thirteen inches. Bill light brown :
eyes hazel; the general colour of its plumage is
brown and ash, beautifully mixed with black; each
feather streaked down the middle with buff; the
sides of the head are tawny; under each eye is a
small saffron-coloured spot, which has a granu-
lated appearance, and between the eye and the ear
a, naked skin of a bright scarlet, which is not very
conspicuous but in old birds; on the breast there is-
a crescent of a deep chesnut; the tail is short and
drooping; the legs are greenish white, and fur-
nished with a small knob behind. The female has
no crescent on the breast, and her colours in gene-
ral are not so distinct and bright as those of the
male. The moult takes place once a year.

Partridges are found chiefly in temperate cli-
mates; the extremes of heat and cold being equally
unfavourable to them : they are nowhere in greater

358 BRITISH BIRDS.

plenty than in this island, where, in their season,
they contribute to our entertainments. It is much
to be regretted, however, that the means taken to
preserve this valuable bird should, in a variety of
instances, prove its destruction; the proper guar-
dians of the eggs and young ones, tied down by
ungenerous restrictions, are led to consider them
as a growing evil, and not only connive at their
destruction, but too frequently assist in it.

Partridges pair early in the spring, and once
united it is rare that anything but death separates
them : the female lays from fourteen to eighteen or
twenty eggs, making her nest of withered leaves
and grass upon the ground. The young birds run
as soon as hatched, frequently encumbered with
part of the shell. It is no unusual thing to intro-
duce Partridges' eggs under the Common Hen,
wrho hatches and rears them as her own: in this
case the young birds require to be fed with ants'
eggs, which are their favourite food, and without
which it is almost impossible to bring them up;
they likewise eat insects, and when full grown, all
kinds of grain and young plants. The affection of
the Partridge for her young is peculiarly strong
and lively: she is greatly assisted in the care of
rearing them by her mate; they lead them out in
common, call them together, gather for them their
proper food, and assist in finding it by scratching
the ground ; they frequently sit close by each other,
covering the chickens with their wings, like the
Hen. In this situation they are not easily flushed;
the sportsman, who is attentive to the preservation
of his game, will carefully avoid giving any dis-
turbance to a scene so truly interesting; but should

BRITISH BIRDS. 359

the pointer come too near, or unfortunately run in
upon them, there are few who are ignorant of the
confusion that follows; the male first gives the sig-
nal of alarm by a peculiar cry of distress, throwing
himself at the same moment more immediately in
the way of danger, in order to deceive or mislead
the enemy; he flies, or rather runs, along the
ground, hanging his wings, and exhibiting every
symptom of debility, whereby the dog is decoyed,
in the too eager expectation of an easy prey, to a
distance from the covey; the female flies off in a
contrary direction, and to a greater distance, but
returning soon after by secret ways, she finds her
scattered brood closely squatted among the grass,
and collecting them with haste, leads them from
the danger before the dog has had time to return
from his pursuit.

,

360 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE QUAIL.
(Pcrdix Coturnix, Lath. — La Catllc, Temm.)

LENGTH seven inches and a half. Bill dusky;
eyes hazel ; the colours of the head, neck, and back
are a mixture of brown, ash, and black; over each
eye there is a yellowish streak, extending behind
the auriculars, and another of the same over the
middle of the forehead to the nape; a dark line
passes from each corner of the bill, forming a kind
of divided gorget about the throat; the scapular
feathers are marked by a light yellowish streak
down the middle of each; quills lightish brown,
with small rust-coloured bands on the exterior
edges of the feathers; the breast is pale rusty,
spotted with black, and streaked with pale yellow;
the tail consists of twelve feathers, barred like the
wings ; belly and thighs yellowish white ; legs pale
brown. The female wants the black spots on the
breast, and is easily distinguished by a less vivid
plumage.

BRITISH BIRDS. 361

Quails are very generally diffused throughout
Asia, Africa, and the southern parts of Europe, but
rare in temperate climates; they are birds of
passage, and are seen in immense flocks flying
across the Mediterranean, from Europe to the
shores of Africa, in the autumn, and returning
again in the spring, frequently alighting in their
passage on the intervening islands, particularly of
the Archipelago, which they almost cover with
their numbers. On the western coasts of the king-
dom of Naples such prodigious numbers have ap-
peared, that an hundred thousand it is said have
been taken in a day within the space of four or five
miles. From these circumstances it appears highly
probable, that the Quails which supplied the Israel-
ites with food, during their journey through the
wilderness, were driven thither on their passage to
the north, by a wind from the south-west, sweeping
over Ethiopia and Egypt towards the shores of the
Red Sea. Quails are not very numerous here:
they breed with us, and many of them are said to
remain throughout the year, changing their quar-
ters from the interior to the sea coast. The female
makes her nest like the Partridge, and lays to the
number of six or seven* eggs of a greyish colour,
speckled with brown. The young birds follow the
mother as soon as hatched, but do not continue
long together; they are scarcely grown up before

* In France they are said to lay fifteen or twenty. — Buff.

They are sometimes seen in a bevy of fifteen together, in this
country ; and while running through the meadows, are known by
their quickly repeated short whistle of "whit, whit." They fly
quick and near the ground.

VOL. I. 2 Z

362 BRITISH BIRDS.

they separate ; or, if kept together, they fight ob-
stinately, their quarrels frequently terminating in
each other's destruction. From this quarrelsome
disposition in the Quail they were made use of by
the Greeks and Romans as we use Game-cocks,
for the purpose of fighting. We are told that
Augustus punished a prefect of Egypt with death,
for bringing to his table one of these birds, which
had acquired celebrity by its victories. The Chi-
nese are much addicted to the amusement of fight-
ing Quails, and in some parts of Italy it is said
likewise to be no unusual practice. After feeding
two Quails very highly, they place them opposite,
and throw in a few grains of seeds between them :
the birds rush upon each other with the utmost
fury, striking with their bills and heels till one of
them yields.

BRITISH BIRDS. 363

THE PRATINCOLE.

AUSTRIAN PRATINCOLE.

(Glareola Torquata* Meyer. — Glareole a collier,
Temm.)

BILL short, strong, strait, hooked at the end, gape
wide ; nostrils near the base, linear, oblique ; legs
long and slender ; toes connected by a membrane at
the base ; tail forked, consisting of twelve feathers.
Latham notices only three species and four varieties
of this genus of birds. In some of its habits, man-
ners, and external characters, it strikingly resembles
birds of the Swallow kind, while in the length and
form of the legs and toes, the rapidity with which it
runs, and its frequenting the borders of fresh waters,
&c., it comes near the Runners and Waders.

* The order Alectorides of Temminck includes one British species,
vix., Glareola Torquata.

364 BRITISH BIRDS.

The Pratincole has not till lately been noticed as
a British bird. Montagu says, one of them was
shot near Liverpool, on the 1 8th May, 1 804, and was
taken to Mr. Bullock* before it was cold, which
specimen is now in the collection of Lord Stanley.
It was shot in the act of taking beetles on the wing,
the remains of which were found in its stomach.
The stuffed specimen from which our figure and
description were taken, was lent to this work by the
late Mr. John Wingate, of Newcastle. The length
is about ten inches; bill black and short; the upper
mandible convex or hooked; under one red at the
base; the gape is wide; the irides are said to be
reddish ; colour of the plumage on the upper parts
brown, but the crown of the head and neck are
somewhat tinged with rufous ; primary quills dark
brown, secondaries paler and tipped with white;
throat brownish buff; a black line begins in front
of the eye, and passing underneath it before the
auriculars, falls down and encircles the throat;
below this to the breast, the feathers are rufous
pale brown, fading into buff on the lower part.
The belly, sides of the rump, and upper and under
coverts of the tail, are white; the feathers at the
base of the tail are also white on both the outer
and inner webs; the rest of the feathers are deep
brown; the tail is much forked, and the two out-
side feathers are about an inch and a quarter
longer than the rest; the wings, as well as the tail,
are long, and both are formed like those of the
Swallow; the edge of the wing from the alula spuria

* Mr. Bullock also met with one in the summer of 1812, in Unst,
one of the Zetland Isles.

BRITISH BIRDS.

365

to the greater coverts, is whitish ; the under coverts
of the wing are partly brown and partly bright
ferruginous; the legs are long, and bare above
the knee; toes brown, the claws slightly bent.
These birds are said to inhabit Germany, parti-
cularly on the borders of the Rhine, are some-
times seen in France, but are most plentiful in the
deserts towards the Caspian Sea, frequenting the
dry plains in great flocks. They are also common
throughout the deserts of Independent Tartary, as
far as the rivers Kamyschlossca and Irtish. They
make their nest in holes, like the Sand Martin,
in the sandy banks of rivers, and lay six or seven

366

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE birds of this genus, though by some ar-
ranged amongst the Waders, have many of the
external characters of the order Gallinae, such as
the bulky, heavy body, short, strong, curved bill,
&c. They are very wild and difficult to be dis-
covered, and show considerable address in evading
pursuit ; the moult takes place twice a year.

It is much to be wished that the Bustard were
more cultivated in this country; but we suspect
that the division and inclosure of commons will
now oppose an effectual barrier to every attempt,
unless by domestication.

BRITISH BIRDS.

367

THE GREAT BUSTARD.*
(Otis Tarda, Umn.—Outarde barbue, Temm.)

THIS very singular bird, which is the largest of
our land birds, is about four feet long, and weighs
from twenty-five to thirty pounds; its characters

* This bird commences the order Cursores of Temminck, of
which there are only two British genera, viz., Otis and Cursorius.

368 BRITISH BIRDS.

are peculiar, and with such as connect it with birds
of the gallinaceous kind, it has others which seem
to belong to the Ostrich and the Cassowary. The
bill is strong, and rather convex; the eyes red; on
each side of the root of the lower mandible there
is a tuft of feathers about nine inches long; the
head and neck are ash-coloured. In the one de-
scribed by Edwards, there were on each side of the
neck two naked spots, of a violet colour, but which
appeared to be covered with feathers when the
neck Avas much extended. The back is barred
transversely with black and bright rusty on a pale
reddish ground ; the quills are black ; belly white ;
the tail consists of twenty feathers; the middle
ones are rufous, barred with black; those on each
side are white, with a bar or two of black near the
ends; the legs are long, naked above the knees,
and dusky; it has no hind toe: the nails are short,
strong, and convex both above and below; the
bottom of the foot is furnished with a callous pro-
minence, which serves instead of a heel. The
female is not much more than half the size of the
male; the top of her head is deep orange, the rest
of the head brown; her colours are not so bright
as those of the male, and she has no tuft on each
side of the head. There is likewise another very
essential difference between the male and the
female: the former is furnished with a sack or
pouch, situated in the fore part of the neck, and
capable of containing about two quarts; the en-
trance to it is immediately under the tongue.*
This singular reservoir was first discovered by Dr.

* Harrington's Misc. p. 553.

BRITISH BIRDS. 369

Douglas, who supposes that the bird fills it with
water as a supply in the midst of those dreary
plains where it is accustomed to wander;* it like-
wise makes a further use of it in defending itself
against the attacks of birds of prey; on such occa-
sions it throws out the water with such violence as
to baffle the pursuit of its enemy.

Bustards were formerly more common in this
island than at present; they are now found only in
the open countries of the South and East, in the
plains of Wiltshire, Dorsetshire, and in some parts
of Yorkshire ; they were formerly met with in Scot-
land, but are now extinct there. They are slow in
taking wing, but run with great rapidity, and when
young are sometimes taken with greyhounds,
which pursue them with great avidity: the chase is
said to afford excellent diversion to men whose
pleasures in life consist almost wholly in excite-
ments of this sort. The Great Bustard is graniv-
orous, but feeds also on herbs of various kinds; it
is likewise fond of those worms which come out of
the ground in great numbers before sunrise in the
summer; in winter it frequently feeds on the bark
of trees; like the Ostrich, it swallows small
stones,! bits of metal, and the like. The female
builds no nest, but making a hole on the ground,
drops two eggs, of a pale olive brown, with dark

* One of these birds, which was kept in a caravan, among other
animals, as a show, lived without drinking. It was fed with leaves
of cabbages and other greens, and also with flesh and bread.

f In the stomach of one which was opened by the academicians,
there were found, besides small stones, to the number of ninety
doubloons, all worn and polished by the attrition of the stomach.
—Buff.

VOL. I. 3 A

370 BRITISH BIRDS.

spots. She sometimes leaves her eggs in quest of
food; and if, during her absence, any one should
handle, or even breathe upon them, she imme-
diately abandons them.

Bustards are found in various parts of Europe,
Asia, and Africa, but have not hitherto been dis-
covered in the new continent. The figure was
taken from a preserved specimen at Wycliffe.

BRITISH BIRDS.

371

THE LITTLE BUSTARD.

(Otis Tctrax, Linn. — Outardc cancpctierc, Temm.)

LENGTH seventeen inches. The bill is pale
brown; irides red; the top of the head black,
spotted with pale rusty: the sides of the head, the
chin, and throat, reddish white, marked with a few
dark spots; the whole neck in the male is black,
encircled with an irregular band of white near the
top and bottom; the back and wings rufous, mot-
tled with brown, and crossed with fine irregular
black lines : the under parts of the body, and outer
edges of the wings, are white; the tail consists of
eighteen feathers; the middle ones tawny, barred
with black, the others white, marked with a few
irregular bands of black; legs grey. The female

372 BRITISH BIRDS.

(from which our figure was taken) differs from this
description, is smaller, and has not the black col-
lar; in other respects she nearly resembles the
male.

This bird is very uncommon in this country; and
we have seen only two, both of them females. The
figure was drawn from one sent by W. Trevelyan,
Esq., which was taken on the edge of Newmarket
Heath, and kept alive about three weeks in the
kitchen, where it was fed with bread and other
things, such as poultry eat. It is common in
France, where it is taken in nets like the Partridge.
It is a very shy and cunning bird; if disturbed, it
flies two or three hundred paces, not far from the
ground, and then runs away much faster than any
one can follow on foot. The female lays in June,
to the number of three or four eggs, of a glossy
green : as soon as the young are hatched, she leads
them about as the Hen does her chickens; they
begin to fly about the middle of August.

Both this and the Great Bustard are excellent
eating, and would well repay the trouble of domes-
tication; indeed, it seems surprising, that we
should suffer these fine birds to be in danger of
total extinction, although, if properly cultivated,
they might afford as excellent a repast as our own
domestic poultry, or even as the Turkey, for which
we are indebted to distant countries.

BRITISH BIRDS.

373

THE CREAM-COLOURED COURSER.

CURSORIUS EUROP^US, Latham.

(Cursonits Isdbellinus, Meyer. — Coure-mte isabcllc,
Temm.)

THE length of this very rare bird is about ten
inches. The bill is black, the upper mandible
rather flatted, and bent downward at the tip,
whence, to the -feathers of the brow, it measures
nearly seven-eighths of an inch. The legs, from the
tread of the foot to the middle of the knee, are two
inches and a quarter; thence upwards, or the bare
part of the thigh, is about an inch. The middle
toe, including the nail, is about seven-eighths of an
inch, and is connected with the outer one by a
.small web. It is without a back toe. Behind the

374 BRITISH BIRDS.

eyes, a black patch or stripe commences, and is
nearly covered by a dull white streak, which passes
above the eyes, and both together continue to, and
fall over, the nape. The hinder part of the head is
of a bluish ash. All the foreparts of the wing, be-
low the wrist, including the bastard wing, as well
as the primaries and secondaries, are brownish
black, more or less edged and tipped with dull
white. The rest of the plumage is of a cinnamon
colour, palest on the breast and belly. The rump
is barred with brown zig-zag lines; at the elbow
joint of the wings, the feathers are also marked in
a somewhat similar way. Buffon seems to have
been the first who described this bird, from a single
specimen taken in France; and Latham, in his
copious and excellent work on Ornithology, de-
scribes and figures it from one which was shot near
St. Alban's, in East Kent, by Wm. Hammond,
Esq.

The stuffed specimen, from which the foregoing
figure was made, was obligingly lent to this work
by the late Rev. T. Gisborne, A.M., Prebendary of
Durham, and was reported to him as having been
shot in Charnwood Forest, Lincolnshire, on the
1 5th of October, 1827.

R. WARD AND SONS, PRINTERS, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.

266192

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