THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BRITISH BIRDS.
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BRITISH BIRDS; OR, A SELECTION OF THE MOST RARE, BEAUTIFUL, AND INTERESTING BIRDS WHICH INHABIT THIS COUNTRY: THE DESCRIPTIONS FROM THE
SYSTEMA NATURAE
OF LINNAEUS; WITH GENERAL OBSERVATIONS, EITHER ORIGINAL, OR COLLECTED FROM THE LATEST AND MOST ESTEEMED
ENGLISH ORNITHOLOGISTS;
AND ILLUSTRATED WITH FIGURES, DRAWN, ENGRAVED, AND COLOURED FROM FINE AND LIVING SPECIMENS.
BY E. DONOVAN, F. L. S.
IN FIVE VOLUMES. VOL. III.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR; AND FOR F. AND C. RIVINGTON, No. 62, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD. 1799.
PLATE XLIX. MERGUS MERGANSER. GOOSANDER. ANSERES.
Bill obtuse, covered with a thin membrane, broad, gibbous below the base, swelled at the apex. Tongue fleshy, Legs naked, Feet webbed, or finned.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill long, roundish, taper, serrated and hooked at the apex. A crest on the Head. Migrate.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Goosander male.
Bill, Irides and Legs red. Head black. Lower part of the Neck, Breast and Belly white. Wings and Tail black and white.
MERGUS MERGANSER: crista dependente, capite nigro-coerulescente, collari albo.
Linn. Syst. Nat.
1.
p.
129. 62. 2.
edit.
10.
MERGUS AETHIOPS.
Scop. Ann.
1. No 90.
Mergus Cirrhatus (faem.)
Gesn. av.
134. Merganser (Merrach) 135.
MERGANSER, or GOOSANDER.
Will. orn.
335.
Raii Syn. p.
134.
A.
1.
Penn. Br. Zool. Vol.
2.
p.
556. 46. 260.
Lath. Gen. Syn. Vol.
6.
p.
418. 1.
Suppl. p.
270. 2.
L'Harle.
Bris. Orn.
6.
p.
231. 1.
pl.
22.
Buff. Ois.
8.
p.
267.
pl.
23.—
Pl. enl.
951.
Meer-rache.
Kram.
343.
See-rache.
Frisch.
2. 190, 191.
Wrakfogel, Kjorkfogel, Ard, Skraka.
Faun. Suec. sp.
135.
Peksok.
Crantz's Greenl.
1. 80.
The Goosander is never seen in the southern parts of Great-Britain, except in very severe winters. In summer it retires northward to breed; continues the whole year in the
Orknies,
and has been shot in the
Hebrides
in summer; it frequents rivers and lakes, and feeds on fish. In winter it appears about
Sandwich,
with the Smew, Red-breasted Merganser, and other water birds.
It is common in the northern parts of the Continent of
Europe
and
Asia.
In summer is found in
Iceland, Greenland, Lapland,
and other
Arctic
regions, where it rears it's young; but migrates towards the south as the winter season approaches. In
America
also it abandons the more northern parts in winter.
Length of this Bird is twenty-eight inches; breadth forty: weight nearly four pounds.
The Bird we have figured is generally considered as the male, and the Dun-Diver as the female of the same species; and among the more respectable Naturalists who have held this opinion, we must place Linnaeus, and since his time Mr. Pennant
Willoughby does not seem inclined to adopt this opinion implicitly; he says, "In the
Dun-Diver,
which we take to be the
female
of the
Goosander,
we found a
large labyrinth
—so that we will not be very confident that the
Goosander
and
Dun-Diver
differ no more than in sex."
Orn. p.
336.
; Mr. Latham, to whose abilities and attention the science of Ornithology is so much indebted, has, however, endeavoured to prove, not only that they are two distinct species, but that the Mergus Castor of Linnaeus is a mere variety
The specimen Mr. Latham describes was killed on the coast of
Suffolk;
it was no bigger than the
Smew,
but agreed in the general colour of its plumage with the
Dun-Diver,
except the neck, which had a greater mixture of ash-colour, and that it had a pale streak between the nostrils and eye.
of the Dun-Diver, or supposed female of the Mergus Merganser, our present species.
Mr. Latham also observes, among other minute particulars, that the Dun-Diver is ever less than the Goosander; and individuals of that bird differ greatly in size: that in one specimen the crest of the supposed female was longer and fuller than in that thought to be the male; a circumstance observed in no other bird that is furnished with a crest; for in such the females in many cases have not even the rudiment of one. He says also, on the authority of Dr. Heysham, that the Dun-Diver is infinitely more common in
Cumberland
than the Goosander, at least ten or fifteen of the first, to one of the last. And he farther adds in the Supplement, "I have been lately informed by Dr.
Heysham,
that he some time since dissected two
Dun-Divers,
the one weighing about two pounds: this proved a
female;
the eggs numerous, and appearing very distinct. The other bird being much larger, weighed full three pounds. The crest in this was longer than that of the other, and the belly of a bright buff colour. This proved, on dissection, a
male.
"
PLATE L. EMBERIZA MILIARIA. COMMON BUNTING. PASSERES.
Bill conic, pointed. Nostrils oval, broad, naked.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill conic, angular on each side; a hard knob within the upper mandible.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Head and upper part of the body olive brown, with black spots. Beneath yellow-white. Wing and Tail feathers edged with pale rufous. Legs pale brown.
EMBERIZA MILIARIA.
Linn. Syst.
1.
p.
308. 5.
Faun. Suec.
No 228.
EMBERIZA ALBA.
Gesn. av.
654.
COMMON BUNTING.
Raii Syn. p.
93.
Albin.
2.
pl.
50.
Penn. Br. Zool.
1.
p.
324. 118.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
3.
p.
171. 8.
Le Proyer, Prier, ou Pruyer.
Belon. av.
266.
Bris. orn.
3.
p.
292. 10.
Buff. ois.
4.
p.
355.
pl.
16.—
Pl. enl.
233.
Strillozo.
Olina,
44.
Korn Larkor.
Lin. it. scan.
292.
tab.
4.
Cimbris
Korn-Laerke.
Norveg.
Knotter.
Brun.
247.
Brasser.
Kramer
372.
Graue Ammer.
Frisch.
1. 6.
This species continues with us the whole year: about the latter end of harvest they collect together in flocks, and separate again in spring: they feed on corn, oats, and most other kinds of grain, which they easily bruise with the hard protuberance with which the inside of the upper mandible is furnished.
The female builds the nest among low bushes, and lays five or six eggs; she can scarcely be distinguished from the male, except by the colour of her plumage, being somewhat paler. Length six inches and an half.
It is common in this country, though much less so than the Yellow-hammer, which also is a species of the Bunting genus: they are found in vast numbers in
Italy,
in
Germany,
and in the southern parts of
Russia, Sweden
and
Denmark.
—They are frequently shot, or taken in nets, and sold for Larks, or Bunting Larks.
Albin says, "It
sings
sitting upon the highest twigs of trees or shrubs;" but Latham observes it has no
song,
only a scream, or tremulous kind of shriek, three or four times repeated.
PLATE LI. FALCO TINNUNCULUS. KESTREL. ACCIPITRES.
Birds of prey. Bill and claws strong, hooked. An angle in each margin of the upper mandible. Body muscular. Females larger and more beautiful than the male.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill arched from the base, which is covered with a wax-like membrane or cere.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Male: Cere and feet yellow. Back and wings rufous brick-colour, with black spots. Beneath pale ferruginous, with dark longitudinal streaks. Tail rounded at the end; of a pale grey colour, with a black band near the extremity.
Female:
less bright, and spotted with dusky colour. Tail pale brown, with many dark streaks.
FALCO TINNUNCULUS: cera pedibusque flavis, dorso rufo punctis nigris, pectore maculis longitudinalibus fuscis, cauda rotundata.
Fn. Suec.—Linn. Syst. Nat.
1. 15. 90.
edit.
10.
KESTRIL.
Lath. Gen. Syn. Vol.
1.
p.
94. 79.—
Suppl. p.
25. 79.
The Kestrel, Stannel, Stone-gall, or Wind-hover,
Will. orn. p.
84.
t.
5.
Br. Zool.
No 60.
Kistrel, Kastrel, or Steingal,
Turnew.
La Cresserelle.
Belon. av.
125.
Bris. orn.
1.
p.
393. No 27.
Buff. ois.
1.
b.
280.
t.
18.—
Pl. enl.
401. 471.
Roethel-Geyer.
Frisch.
1. 84.
foem.
Mause-Falck.
Frisch.
1. 88.
Kyrko-Falk.
Faun. Suec.
Gheppio, Acertello, Gavinello.
Zinan.
88.
Postoka, Splintza, Skoltsch.
Scopoli,
No 5.
Windwachl, Rittlweyer, Wannenweher, Kramer, 331.
The male of this species is much more beautiful than the female; the former (of which a figure is given in the annexed plate,) weighs about six ounces and a half: its length fourteen inches; and measures, when the wings are expanded, twenty-seven inches between each tip. The female weighs eleven ounces: the colour of the back and wings is more pale and dusky than in the male; and the middle of each feather is marked with an oblong dark streak, pointing downwards: the breast of a dirty yellowish white; and the tail pale red brown, crossed with numerous black bars.
It is not uncommon in England, and many other parts of Europe; it breeds in the hollows of trees, cavities of rocks, old buildings, &c. It lays four eggs, of a pale ferruginous colour, marked with irregular spots of a deeper hue
Portland Museum.
. It feeds on mice, small birds, and insects; and throws up the fur and feathers in the form of a round ball.
This bird was formerly used in falconry, to catch small birds and young partridges.
PLATE LII. MERGUS MINUTUS. RED-HEADED MERGANSER. ANSERES.
Bill obtuse, covered with a thin membrane, broad gibbous below the base, swelled at the apex. Tongue fleshy. Legs naked, feet webbed or finned.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill convex above, flat beneath, hooked at the apex, with membranous teeth.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Bill lead colour. Head red brown, with a small crest. Cheeks, throat, and belly white. Back and tail mottled, dusky and white. Wings dusky, with a patch of white on the coverts, and two bars of the same below. Legs dusky.
MERGUS MINUTUS: capite griseo laevi.
Fn. Suec.—Linn. Syst. Nat.
1.
p.
129. 5.
MERGUS tinus,
Haselq. It. p.
269. No . 37.
— glacialis,
Brunnich,
No . 99.
— pannonicus.
Scop. Ann.
1.
p.
392.
THE WEZEL COOT.
Albin. orn.
1.
p.
84.
t.
88.
LOUGH DIVER.
Raii Syn. p.
135.—
Will. orn. p.
338.
MINUTE MERGANSER.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
6. 429. 6.
RED-HEADED SMEW.
Pen. Br. Zool.
263.
L'Harle etoilé.
Bris. av.
6. 252.—
Buf. ois.
8.
p.
278.
Le petit Harle huppè, (femelle.)
Bris. orn.
6.
p.
243. 3.
pl.
24.
fig.
2.
This bird is found in the southern parts of England in winter. It is said to be found as far south as latitude 37, being met with in the island of
Fino;
in the
Archipelago
Lath. Gen. Syn.
, it migrates towards the north in summer, to breed along with the other
Mergansers;
and is therefore met with during that season in
Iceland, Lapland,
and other Arctic regions.
Length fourteen inches and a half: breadth twenty-three inches: weight fifteen ounces.
PLATE LIII. FALCO PEREGRINUS. PEREGRINE FALCON. ACCIPITRES.
Birds of prey. Bill and claws strong, hooked. An angle in each margin of the upper mandible. Body muscular. Females larger and more beautiful than the males.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill arched from the base, which is covered with a wax-like membrane or cere.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Cere, legs and feet yellow. Beak blue. Above ash colour barred with black and brown. Beneath white tinged with brown, with longitudinal and transverse lines.
FALCO PEREGRINUS.
Raii Syn. p.
13.
No.
1.
PEREGRINE, or HAGGARD FALCON.
Will. Orn. p.
76.
t.
8.
Blue backed Falcon.
Charlton Exer. &c.
73.
Peregrine Falcon:
Penn. Br. Zool.
No . 48.
t.
20.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
1. 52.
p.
73.
—
Suppl.
18.
Le Faucon pelerin.
Bris. Orn.
1.
p.
341. No 6.
Buff. Ois.
1.
p.
249.
The Peregrine Falcon is very common in the north of
Scotland;
where it is trained for falconry; it does not, however, appear to be common in
England.
It breeds on some high rocks near
Gilsland
in
Cumberland:
in the mountains about
Keswick
Latham.
; and on the rocks of
Llandidno
in
Caernarvonshire
Pennant.
.
It is common on the continent of Europe, in summer; inhabits also Kamtschatka, most parts of America, &c. It varies very much at different periods of age; one mentioned by Pennant, had the whole under side of the body of a deep dirty yellow, but marked with black, as usual, in other specimens. It feeds on smaller birds, as partridges, plovers, moor game, &c. The size of this species is generally about nineteen inches in length, breadth thirty-eight inches, weight thirty-six ounces.
PLATE LIV. ARDEA MINUTA. LITTLE BITTERN. GRALLAE.
Bill roundish. Tongue entire, fleshy. Thighs naked. Toes divided.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill strait, long, acute. Toes connected as far as the first joint by a strong membrane.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Bill greenish yellow. Head, back, quills, tail black glossed with green. Neck, breast and thighs, buff; thighs feathered to the knees.
ARDEA MINUTA.
Linn. Syst.
1. 240.
ed.
12.
Ardea vertice dorsoque nigris, collo antice et alarum tectricibus lutescentibus, (Stauden Ragerl, Kleine Mooss-kuh)
kram.
348.
Ardeola.
Sepp. Vog. pl. in p.
57.
LITTLE BITTERN.
Penn. Br. Zool. Appen.
8.
p.
638.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
5.
p.
66. 27.
—
Suppl.
235.
Little brown Bittern.
Edw. pl.
275.
Le Blongios tacheté
(female) Bris. Orn.
5.
p.
497. 47.
Blongios de suisse
(male) Buff. Ois.
7.
p.
395.
Kleiner Rohrdommel.
Frisch.
2. 206. 207.
This elegant Bittern is rarely met with in this country. The first instance we find on record, on which we can venture to describe it, as a British species, is that of a male specimen having been shot as it perched on one of the trees, in the quarry, or public walks in
Shrewsbury,
on the banks of the
Severn.
This account, together with a general description and drawing of the bird, was communicated by Mr.
Plymley
of
Lagnor, Shropshire,
to Mr. Pennant, who inserted them in the Appendix to his British Zoology
Published in 1776.
.
Additional authority is also given to this circumstance by Mr. Latham, in the fifth volume of the Synopsis of Birds; he says, "another specimen was killed in 1773, near
Christ Church
in
Hampshire,
now
1785.
in the Museum of Mr.
Turnstall.
" He observes they have been found frequently in Arabia, but are scarce in other parts. In
France
are very rare.
This bird does not exceed fifteen inches from the bill to the tip of the tail; it's form is graceful, it's body not larger than that of a thrush. According to
Sepp,
it lays four eggs, of a white colour, and size of a blackird's; the nest is composed of bits of sticks, with some flag leaves interspersed.
PLATE LV. CHARADRIUS HIMANTOPUS. LONG-LEGGED PLOVER. GRALLAE.
Bill roundish. Tongue entire, fleshy. Thighs naked. Toes divided.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill strait, roundish, obtuse. Nostrils narrow.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Bill black, long. Legs red, very long and slender, and without a back toe. Wings extend beyond the tail. Forehead, breast, belly, tail, white. Wings and back black, glossed with green. A few dark spots on the back of the neck and crown.
CHARADRIUS HIMANTOPUS: supra niger, subtus albus, rostro nigro capite longiore, pedibus rubris longissimis.
Linn. Syst. Nat. I. p.
151. 79. 10.
ed.
10.
Himantopus,
Raii Syn. p.
106. 9.
p.
193.
Pl. I. fig.
1.
Will. Orn.
297.
Long-legged Plover,
Penn. Br. Zool. No.
209.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
5. 195. 3.
—
Suppl.
252.
Long Legs.
Raii Syn. p.
109. 7.
Sloan. Jam.
2.
p.
316. 6.
pl.
267.
Le Grand Chevalier d'Italie.
Belon Pontr. d'Oyseaux.
53.
L' Echasse.
Bris Orn.
5
p.
33.
I. pl.
3.
fig.
1.
Buff. Ois.
8.
p.
114.
pl.
8.
—
Pl. enl.
878.
This bird measures thirteen inches from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail; to the claws nearly eighteen inches. The extraordinary and very disproportionate length of the legs gives it such an uncommon appearance, that we may pronounce it, with strict propriety, the most singular species ever met with in this country.
It is also not less rare than singular.
Sir Robert Sibbald
records a brace that were shot in Scotland; another was shot a few years ago on
Stanton-Harcourt
Common near Oxford
Pennant, Br. Zool.
: and Mr.
White,
bookseller, of Fleet-street, has a specimen which was shot out of a flock of six or seven, in
Frenchman-ponds,
in
Hampshire.
This bird does not perfectly agree in it's plumage with our specimen, but is no doubt only a mere difference in the sex.
According to Latham it is common in
Egypt;
plentiful about the salt lakes, and often on the shores of the Caspian Sea; and in the southern deserts of
Independent Tartary.
Found also at
Madras,
in the
East Indies;
and in the warmer parts of
America.
PLATE LVI. PODICEPS MINUTUS. LITTLE GREBE. ANSERES.
Bill obtuse, covered with a thin membrane, broad gibbous below the base, swelled at the apex. Tongue fleshy, legs naked, feet webbed.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill strait, slender, pointed. Nostrils linear. Lore bare of feathers. Tongue slightly cloven at the end. Body depressed. Wings short. No tail. Legs placed far behind. Toes furnished on each side with a broad plain membrane.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Above, head, neck, breast dark brown. Belly greyish, with a glossy appearance. Legs dirty greenish colour.
COLYMBUS AURITUS.
Linn. Syst.
1.
p.
223. 8. γ
Faun. Suec. p.
184.
PODICEPS MINUTUS.
Lath. Gen. Syn. v.
5. 289. 10.
Suppl. in. List of Birds of Great Britain.
Little Grebe.
Latham.
Penn. Br. Zool.
No 226.
Dipper Didapper, Dobchick, &c.
Raii Syn. p.
125.
A.
3.
Will. Orn. p.
340.
pl.
61.
Le Grebe de la riviere, ou le Castagneux.
Bris. Orn.
6.
p.
59. 9.
Buff. Ois.
8.
p.
244.
pl.
20.—
Pl. enl.
905.
Trapazorola arzauolo, Piombin.
Aldr. av.
3. 105.
Kleiner Seehahn, or Noerike.
Frisch.
2. 184.
This Bird frequents marshy places with other species of the same tribe. It makes a very large nest of grass and aquatic plants in the water, without any fastening to the banks, so that the nest rises or falls with the water: it lays five or six eggs of a dirty yellowish white colour, which are kept constantly wet by the water that rises through the nest: the natural warmth of the Bird when sitting excites a fermentation in the vegetables, and serves to hatch the young brood.
It is a most expert diver, and is said by
Salerne
Salerne Orn.
p. 377.
to be able to stay a quarter of an hour under water. If pursued it plunges into the water, and seldom appears again within the reach of gun-shot.
Length of this species is ten inches, weight six ounces and a half. The male very nearly corresponds in colours with the female, and both vary according to their age. Having no tail, and the legs being placed far behind, give a very aukward and clumsy appearance to this bird. Common in most parts of
Europe,
and mentioned as a native of
America.
PLATE LVII. PARUS CAERULEUS. BLUE TITMOUSE. PASSERES.
Bill conic pointed. Nostrils oval, broad, naked.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill short, strong, entire. Bristles at the base. Tongue blunt with bristles at the end.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Crown, Wings, Tail, blue. Forehead and Cheeks white. Back greenish. Beneath yellow. A white bar across the Wings.
PARUS CAERULEUS: remigibus caerulescentibus: primoribus margine exteriore albis, fronte alba, vertice caeruleo.
Fn. Sv.—Lin. Syst. Nat.
1. 100.
p.
190. 4.
edit.
12.
Scop. Ann.
1.
p.
163. No 244.
Kram. el
379. No 3.
Muller, p.
34. No 285.
Albin.
1.
pl.
47.
BLUE TITMOUSE.
Penn. Br. Zool.
1. No 163
pl.
57.
f.
2.
Lath. Gen. Syst. vol.
4. 543.
La Mesange Bleue.
Brisson. av.
3. 544.
Buff. ois.
5.
p.
413.
—
Pl. enl.
3.
fig.
2.
Blava snitza, Blau mandlitz.
Scopoli.
No 244.
Blaumeise.
Kramer
379.
Frisch.
1. 14.
Blamees.
Faun. Suec. sp.
267.
Parozolino, o Fratino.
Zinan.
76.
This is a very beautiful bird, it frequents gardens and orchards where it does much injury to the fruit trees by tearing off the blossoms, in search of the eggs and larva of insects. The female builds its nest in holes of walls, or trees, and lays from fourteen or fifteen to twenty eggs; it is said to desert its nest, if any of the eggs are touched or broken: but defends its young when hatched, with much spirit. Length of this species four inches and a half.
PLATE LVIII. COLYMBUS GLACIALIS. NORTHERN DIVER. ANSERES.
Bill obtuse, covered with a thin membrane, broad, gibbous below the base, swelled at the apex. Tongue fleshy. Legs naked. Feet webbed or finned.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill strait, pointed; upper mandible longest; edges bending inwards. Nostrils linear. Tongue, long, pointed, serrated near the base. Legs thin and flat. Toes four, the exterior the longest, back toe small, joined to the interior by a small membrane. Tail short; consists of twenty feathers
Pennant, &c.
.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Bill, Head, Neck, and upper side black, marked with round spots of white; a patch of white with black streaks under the chin, and another on each side of the neck; sides of the breast marked with small black streaks. Under side white. Legs black.
COLYMBUS GLACIALIS.
Lin. Syst.
1.
p.
221. 5.
edit.
12.
Holmiae.
1766.
Colymbus maximus stellatus nostras.
Sib. Hist. Scot.
20.
tab.
15.
Colymbus maximus caudatus.
Raii Syn. p.
125.
A.
4.
Northern Diver.
Penn. Br. Zool.
2. 523. 237.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
5. 337.
Greatest speckled Diver, or Loon,
Will. Orn. p.
341.
Albin.
3.
pl.
93.
Le grand plongeon tacheté,
Bris. Orn.
6.
p.
120. 6.
pl.
11.
fig.
1.
L'Imbrim,
Buff. Ois.
6.
p.
258.
pl.
22.
pl. enl.
952.
Grosse Halb-Ente, Meer-Noering.
Frisch
2. 185.
A.
This is a large bird, it measures more than three feet in length, in breadth four feet six inches: weight sixteen pounds.
It is far from common on our shores, and is entirely confined to the northern parts of the island, except in very severe winters. If we consider the authority of Albin worth quoting on this occasion, we may conclude it was scarcely known as a native of this country in his time: he has given a figure of it in the third volume, plate 93. and says, "It was brought from
Newfoundland,
and presented to the
Right Honourable the Lord Ilay,
who was pleased to lend it me to draw its picture." Willoughby mentions one being taken in the island of Jersey; and Latham, in a note, says, "One of these was caught alive near
Keswick,
in
Cumberland,
in
July,
1781. It was, as is supposed, making for the lake, but grew tired before it had power to reach it.
Dr. Heysham.
"
This last circumstance is very remarkable, as it lives for the most part on the open sea, and except in the breeding season seldom frequents fresh waters; nor are we certain whether it breeds on our coasts, as many water birds migrate to
Norway, Iceland, Greenland,
&c. to breed, and this species is always found common in those northern regions.
Pennant
says in
Scotland
it is called
Mur-buachaill,
or
Herdsman
of the sea, from its being so much in that element.
The female lays two large pale brown or stone-coloured eggs, in
June
Latham.
. The skins are tanned by some northern nations with the down upon them, and are made into caps and other garments.
PLATE LIX. FALCO CYANEUS. HEN-HARRIER. ACCIPITRES.
Birds of prey. Bill and claws strong, hooked, an angle in each margin of the upper mandible. Body muscular. Females larger, and more beautiful than the males.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill arched from the base, which is covered with a wax-like membrane, or cere.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Bill black. Cere and irides yellow. General colour blue grey; back of the head white, with pale brown spots. Breast, belly and thighs white, with dusky streaks. Two middle feathers of the tail grey. Legs yellow, long and slender.
FALCO CYANEUS.
Lin. Syst.
1.
p.
126. No 10.
Lanarius albus.
Aldr. av.
1. 197.
Blue Hawk.
Edw.
225.
male.
Hen-harrier.
Pennant's Brit. Zool.
No 58.
t.
28.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
1.
p.
88. 74.
Le Lanier cendré.
Bris. orn.
1.
p.
365. No 17.
Le Foucon a Collier.
Do.
1.
p.
345. No 7.
male.
L'Oisseau St. Martin.
Buff. ois.
1.
p.
212.—
Pl. enl.
459.
Grau-weisse Geyer.
Frisch.
1. 79. 80.
Rubetarius.
Turneri.
Many authors have supposed the Ring-tail to be the female of the Hen-harrier, but Mr. Pennant does not subscribe to this general opinion; he observes of the Ring-tail, "from some late observations by the infallible rule of dissection, males have been found of this species." And Mr. Latham, after noticing the opinion of Pennant, says, "To this I may add my own observations; the Bird I now possess, as an
English
specimen, being set down in my notes as a
male.
"
The Hen-harrier is very destructive to the young poultry, skims the ground when it flies, and does not perch on trees. Length seventeen inches, breadth three feet three inches, weight twelve ounces.
PLATE LX. MOTACILLA RUBETRA. WHINCHAT. PASSERES.
Bill conic, pointed. Nostrils oval, broad, naked.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill strait, slender. Tongue jagged.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Above reddish brown, with dark spots. Beneath reddish yellow, a white stroke over the eye, and a broad one below it. Two white spots on the wings. Upper half of the tail white, lower half black. Bill, mouth and legs black.
MOTACILLA RUBETRA.
Lin. Syst. Nat.
1. 186. 18.
edit.
10.
Scop. Ann.
1. No 237.
Kram. el. p.
375. No 5.
Whinchat.
Raii Syn. p.
76.
A.
3.
Will. Orn. p.
237.
Penn. Brit. Zool.
1. 158.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
4. 454. 54.
Le grand Traquet, ou le Tarier.
Bris. orn.
3.
p.
432. No 26.
pl.
24.
f.
1.
Buff. ois.
5.
p.
224.—
Pl. enl.
678.
f.
2.
Gestettenfehlagar.
Kran.
375.
Grosser Fliegenfuenger.
Frisch. f.
22.
This is a common Bird in most parts of Europe. In England it is seen in the North only in the summer; but in the South it continues the whole year. It is frequently seen on the heaths with the Stone-chatter; but is not so common as that Bird. It builds its nest among the furze: its food is chiefly insects.
The colours of the female are not so beautiful as in the male. The white on the wing is less conspicuous, the breast is of a plain colour, and instead of the white and black streaks on the cheeks, it has only one broad streak of dull brown. Length about six inches.
PLATE LXI. TURDUS TORQUATUS. RING-OUZEL. PASSERES.
Bill conic, pointed. Nostrils oval, broad, naked.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill roundish, sharp-edged: upper mandible notched, and bent at the apex. Nostrils naked, and half covered by a membrane.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Black-brown edges of the feathers white. A white crescent on the breast.
TURDUS TORQUATUS: nigricans, torque albo, rostro flavescente
Lin. Syst.
1.
n.
170. 13
edit.
10.
Fn. Suec.
185.
Merula Torquata.
Gesn. av.
607.
Merula congener,
Raii Syn. p.
67.
No
12.
Ring-ouzel, or Amsel,
Raii Syn.
p. 65. A. 2.
Albin. vol.
1.
pl.
39.
Pen. Br. Zool.
1.
No
110.
pl.
46.
—
Arct. Zool.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
3.
p.
46. 49.
Rock, or Mountain-ouzel.
Will. Orn. p.
124.
Le Merle ou Collier.
Belon. av.
318.
Le Merle à plastron bl.
Buff. ois. p.
340.
pl.
31.—
Pl. enl.
516.
Le Merle a Collier,
Bris. orn.
2. 235.
Ring lamsel.
Kram.
360.
Ringel-Amsel.
Frisch.
1. 30.
Mwyalchen y graig.
Camden. Brit.
795.
The length of this bird is eleven inches; the breadth seventeen. The crescent of white on the breast is more obscure in the female than in the male; in the former it is sometimes wholly wanting, and hence some writers on birds have made the male and female two distinct species
Ring-Ouzel
and
Rock-Ouzel.
. Mr. Latham mentions several varieties, one quite white; a second spotted with white; and a third, which is bigger than the common one, spotted with white, and without any crescent on the breast.
This appears to be a migratory species in most parts of Europe. It is met with in
Burgundy
in France, about the beginning of October, but stays there only two or three weeks; it returns there again in April or May for a short time only; it is found as high as Lapmark, but not in
Russia
or
Siberia
Pennant.
; it is also found in
Africa
and
Asia
according to Adanson, and other authors.
It breeds in the North of Wales, in Cumberland and Scotland; but is very rarely seen in the Southern parts of this country, except during its migrations, at which time it flies in small flocks of five or six. Mr. Pennant says they are known to breed in Dartmoor, in Devonshire, in banks on the sides of streams, and that they are very clamorous when disturbed; he further adds, those that breed in
Wales
and Scotland never quit those countries; in the last they breed in the hills, but descend to the lower parts to feed on the berries of the Mountain Ash.
PLATE LXII. HAEMATOPUS OSTRALEGUS. SEA PIE, OR OYSTER-CATCHER. GRALLAE.
Bill roundish. Tongue entire, fleshy. Thighs naked. Toes divided.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill compressed, obtuse. Toes three, the middle connected to the exterior as far as the first joint.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Bill orange. Irides crimson. Head, neck, shoulders, black. Wings and tail black and white. Beneath white. Legs red.
HAEMATOPUS OSTRALEGUS.
Lin. Syst.
1. 152. 81.
edit.
10.
SEA PIE.
Raii Syn. p.
105. 7.
Will. Orn. p.
297.
PIED OYSTER-CATCHER.
Br. Zool. p.
213.
Catesby Car.
1.
pl.
85.
Arct. Zool. No
406.
Marspitt, strandskjura,
Faun. Suec. sp.
192.
Tirma, Trilichan,
Martin's voyage, St. Kilda
35.
Scolopax Pica.
Scop. Ann.
1.
No
135.
L'Hutrier.
Bris. orn.
5.
p.
38.
pl.
3.
fig.
2.
Buff. ois.
8.
p.
119.
pl.
9.
—
pl. enl.
929.
The Oyster-catcher is very common on some of our shores. It feeds on marine insects and shell-fish; chiefly on oysters and limpets. When it finds an oyster that gapes wide enough for the insertion of t's bill, it thrusts it in and eats the fish; it's bill is well constructed for this purpose, it is flattened on the sides, for more than half it's length, and by forcing it into the shell sideways, it answers the same purpose as a knife for opening it. In the winter these birds are seen in considerable flocks, in summer only in pairs; at this time they live in the neighbourhood of the sea and salt rivers. The female lays four or five eggs on the bare ground, above high water mark; they are of a whitish brown hue, thinly spotted and striped with black, according to Pennant; Latham says they are of a greenish grey blotched with black.
It is mentioned by many authors and navigators as an inhabitant of very distant countries. It is common from
New York
to the
Bahama Islands
Arch. Zool. Catesby Car.
1. 85.
; found also in
New Holland
Dampier voy.
3.
pl. in
123.
,
New Zealand
Hazelworth voy.
2.
p.
333.
,
Japan
Kampfer, Jap.
1.
p.
113.
, &c.
PLATE LXIII. FALCO TINNUNCULUS,
fem.
FEMALE KESTRIL HAWK. ACCIPITRES.
Birds of prey. Bill and claws strong, hooked. An angle in each margin of the upper mandible. Body muscular. Females larger than the Males.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill arched from the base, which is covered with a wax-like membrane, or cere.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Cere and Feet yellow. Male: Head and Tail grey; on the last a black bar near the end; tip white. Back bright brick colour, with black spots.
Female:
Head pale red, back paler, with transverse stripes of black. Tail pale brown, with several transverse bars.
FALCO TINNUNCULUS.
Lin. Syst. p.
127.
No
17.
edit.
12.
Kestrel, Stannel, or Windhover.
Will. Orn. p.
84,
t.
5.
Albin.
1.
pl.
7.
Kestrel.
Pen. Br. Zool. No
60.
Kestril.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
1.
p.
94. 79.
La Cresserelle.
Bris. Orn.
1.
p.
39.
No
27.
Buff. Ois.
1.
p.
280.
t.
18.
—
Pl. enl.
401. 471.
The female of this species differs so much from the male, that though a figure of the last has been given in a plate of this work, it cannot be amiss to give a figure of the female at this time. The female exceeds the male in length, but considerably more in bulk, weighing eleven ounces, the male only six ounces and a half. They are both very fierce, and beautiful birds, and were formerly used in falconry; but as that amusement is now much disregarded, they are seldom trained for that purpose.
PLATE LXIV. ALCA TORDA. RAZOR-BILL. ANSERES.
Bill obtuse, covered with a thin membrane, broad, gibbous below the base, swelled at the apex. Tongue fleshy. Legs naked. Feet webbed, or finned.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill strong, compressed on the sides. Nostril linear. No back toe.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Bill black; on the upper mandible four grooves or furrows. Head, Throat, Back, Tail, and Legs black. Tips of the Wings and Belly white. A white line from the eyes to the bill.
ALCA TORDA,
Lin. Syst. Nat.
1. 130. 63. 1.
s.
1.
edit.
10.
Scop. Ann. No
94.
Brun. No
100.
Muller, No
16.
Razor-bill, Auk, or Murre,
Raii Syn. p.
119.
a.
3.
Will. Orn. p.
323.
pl.
64.
Albin.
3.
pl.
95.
Edwards, pl.
358.
fig.
2.
Penn. Br. Zool.
2.
No
230.
pl.
82.
—
Arct. Zool. No
425.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
5. 319. 5.
—
Suppl.
265.
The Falk.
Martin's Voyage, St. Kilda
33.
The Marrot.
Sib. Hist. Fife.
48.
Le Pingoin.
Bris. Orn.
6.
p.
89. 2.
pl.
8.
fig.
1.
Buff. Ois.
9.
p.
390.
pl.
27.—
Pl. enl.
1003, 1004.
Tord. Tordmule.
Faun. Suec. sp.
139.
Nowegis
Klub-Alke, Klympe.
Danis,
Alke,
Brunnich.
Length of this species eighteen inches; weight twenty-two ounces.
These birds breed in the ledges and cliffs of the most stupendous and craggy rocks on our coasts. They appear in the British seas early in February, but do not inhabit their breeding places till May. The female lays only one egg; but that is of an extraordinary size compared with the bird, being three inches long: it is of a pale sea green, irregularly spotted with black; sometimes the ground colour is white. They build no nest, but lay the egg on the bare rock, so close to the verge of the precipice, that if it is the least disturbed, human ability can rarely place it on its former equilibrium. If the first egg is destroyed, or taken away, it lays a second, and sometimes a third, if the second is missing.
These eggs are so eagerly sought after by the inhabitants of the sea coast; that they often brave the greatest dangers to find them; and not unfrequently sacrifice their lives in the attempt. The usual method of taking them is for two persons, having a rope tied round the middle of each, to stand close to the edge of the precipice, and one to lower the other down gradually, the person above holding the rope as fast as possible whilst the other collects the eggs. It however often happens, in this perilous situation, that the weight of the lowest overbalances the strength of his companion above, and both are forced down the precipice, where they must inevitably be dashed to pieces.
The Razor-bill is found very common in the north of Europe, in
Iceland, Greenland,
&c. They extend along the
White Sea
into the
Arctic Asiatic
shores, and from thence to
Kamtschàtkà
and the gulph of
Achotka
Latham. Arct. Zool. &c.
.
Latham mentions, in his Supplement, the following curious particular of this species. "The method this bird takes in fishing is rather singular, often diving and catching several small fish, which it is observed to range on each side of the bill, with the head in the mouth, and the tails hanging out on each side of the bill; and when the mouth can hold no more, the bird retires to the rocks to swallow them at leisure."
PLATE LXV. MERGUS MERGANSER.
(fem.)?
FEMALE GOOSANDER? OR DUN DIVER. ANSERES.
Bill obtuse, covered with a thin membrane, broad, gibbous below the base, swelled at the apex. Tongue fleshy. Legs naked. Feet webbed or finned.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill long, roundish, taper, serrated and hooked at the apex. A crest on the head.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Female.
Head and neck ferruginous. Chin and throat white. Back, wing coverts, sides of the body, tail, ash colour. Breast and belly white.
MERGUS MERGANSER.
Faun. Suec. p.
48. 8vo. 1761?
MERGUS CASTOR.
Lin. Syst.
1.
p.
209. 4.—
edit.
12?
Anas rubricapilla.
Brun. No
93.
Mergus Gulo.
Scop. Ann.
1.
No
88.
MERGUS CASTOR. Var. A.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
6. 420. 2.?
DUN-DIVER, or Sparling fowl.
Raii Syn. p.
134.
A.
2.
Will. Orn. p.
333.
pl.
64.
(head)
Albin.
1.
pl.
87.
Penn. Br. Zool.
2.
p.
557.
pl.
92.
fig.
2.
—
Arct. Zool. No
465.
Lath. Gen. Syn. V.
6.
p.
420. 2.
—
Suppl.
270.
L'Harle cendré, ou le Bievre,
Bris. Orn.
6.
p.
254.
pl.
25.
L'Harle femelle,
Bris. Orn.
6.
p.
236.
Buff. Ois.
8.
p.
272.
—
Pl. enl.
953.
After the account that has been given of this bird, in the description of the male, Mergus Merganser, plate 49, we can add nothing material concerning it. In the Leverian Museum, the Dun-Diver and Goosander are placed together as male and female. Pennant has described them as the two sexes of Mergus Merganser; and the authority of Linnaeus may also be quoted to sanction this opinion. Yet Latham has endeavoured to prove, by the most satisfactory experiments, that they are distinct species, and that
Mergus Castor
is only a variety of the Dun-Diver. Thus perplexed between such opposite opinions, both of which are advanced by the most respectable naturalists, we can scarcely determine to which opinion we should incline; but as the observation of Dr. Heysham
Vide Description of Mergus Merganser, pl. 4
.
most evidently tends to confirm the opinion of Mr. Latham, we will not hesitate to consider them as distinct species, and the Mergus Castor only a variety. Our readers must, notwithstanding, see the necessity of adopting the synonyms as for the female of the Goosander.
Length twenty-three inches and a half.
PLATE LXVI. RECURVIROSTRA AVOCETTA. SCOOPING AVOSETTA. GRALLAE.
Bill roundish. Tongue entire fleshy. Thighs naked. Toes divided.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill curved upwards, flexible at the point. Feet palmated: the webs deeply semilunated between each toe. Back toe very small.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
White. Above marked with black. Legs blue and long.
RECURVIROSTRA AVOCETTA: albo nigroque varia.
Linn. Syst. Nat.
1. 151. 8vo.
edit.
10.
Amoen. Acad.
4. 591.
Scop. Ann.
1.
No
129.
Brun. No
188.
Mulleo. No
214.
Kram. el. p.
348.
Avoset.
Raii Syn. p.
117. A. 1.
Albin.
1.
pl.
101.
Penn. Br. Zool.
2. 228.
pl.
80.
—
Arct. Zool. p.
503. B.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
5. 293. 1.
—
Suppl.
263.
The Scooper.
Charl. ex.
102.
The Crooked Bill.
Dale's Hist. Harwich.
402.
L'Avocette.
Bris. Orn.
6.
p.
538.
pl.
47.
fig.
2.
Buff. Ois.
8.
p.
466.
pl.
38.
—
Pl. enl.
353.
Avosetta, Beccostorto, Becoroella, Spinzago d'acqua.
Aldr. av.
3. 114.
Krumbschnabl.
Kram.
348.
Skerflacka, Alfit.
Faun. Suec. sp.
191.
Danis.
Klyde, Loufugl. Forkeert Regorspove.
Br.
188.
The length of this species is eighteen inches
Sometimes twenty inches, or rather more.
. The body is small, but the legs are remarkably long. The male differs very little from the female; and in the essential characteristic, the bill, they perfectly agree: this part, which is about three inches and a half long, is of a substance like whale-bone; it is very slender, and compressed, is flexible, and, unlike the bills of other birds, turns up towards the end, and tapers to a point.
This bird is common in winter on the eastern coasts of this kingdom, particularly on those of
Suffolk
and
Norfolk;
and sometimes on the lakes of
Shropshire.
They are found in great plenty, in the breeding season, in the fens in
Fossdike Wash
in
Lincolnshire,
and in the fens of
Cambridgeshire
and
Suffolk.
They feed on worms and insects, which they scoop out of the mud and sand; and are sometimes observed to wade or swim, but always close to the shores.
They lay two eggs, about the size of those of a pigeon.
Pennant
says, they are white, tinged with green, and marked with large black spots. In the description given by
Latham,
he observes, they are of a cinereous grey, whimsically marked with deep brownish black patches, of irregular sizes and shapes, besides some under markings of a dusky hue.
The Avoset is far more frequent in some parts of Europe than in England. Albin says, in
Rome
and
Venice
they are common. Salerne writes, in the breeding time they are so plenty on the coasts of
Bas Poictou,
that the peasants take their eggs by thousands. They are found also in
Russia
and
Siberia, Denmark, Sweden,
and other northern countries.
PLATE LXVII. CAPRIMULGUS EUROPAEUS. EUROPEAN GOAT SUCKER. PASSERES.
Bill conic, pointed. Nostrils oval, broad, naked.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill short, bent at the end, bristles round the base. Mouth very wide. Tail of ten feathers, not forked.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Plumage dark brown, black, white, ash colour intermixed, and disposed in spots, specklings, &c.
CAPRIMULGUS EUROPAEUS.
Lin. Syst. Nat.
1.
p.
134.
edit.
12.
Scop. Ann.
1.
No
254.
Muller, p.
34.
No
291.
Kram. el. p.
281.
Georgi Reise. p.
174.
Frisch. t.
101.
Brun. No
293.
Faun. Arag. p.
91.
Sepp. Voy. pl. in p.
39.
Hirundo cauda aequabili. H. caprimulga.
Klein. av.
81.
Dorhawk accipiter Cantharo phagus.
Dorhawk, Night Jar, or Night Hawk.
Charlton. ex.
71.
No
8.
Caprimulgus, Fern-Owl, Churn-Owl, Goat-Sucker, or Goat-Owl.
Raii. Syn. p.
26.
Will. Orn. p.
107.
Albin. p.
10.
Borlase's Hist. Corn. pl.
24.
f.
13. 1758.
NOCTURNAL GOAT-SUCKER.
Penn. Br. Zool. No
172.
pl.
59.
—
Arct. Zool.
2.
p.
437.
A.
EUROPEAN GOAT-SUCKER.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
4.
p.
593.
No
5.
—
Suppl.
194. 5.
Tette-chevre, ou Crapaud volant.
Bris. Orn.
2.
p.
470.
No
1.
pl.
44.
L'Engoulevent.
Buff. Ois.
6.
p.
512.
L'Effraye ou Fresaye.
Belon. av.
343.
Caprimulgus, Geissmelcher.
Gesn. av.
241.
Calcobotto.
Aldr. av.
1. 288.
Covaterra. Zinanni. 94.
Natskrasa, Natskarra, Quallknarren.
Faun. Suec. sp.
274.
Nat-Ravn, Nat-Skade, Aften-bakke.
Brun.
293.
Mucken stecker. Nach trabb.
Kram.
381.
It is difficult to describe the diversified plumage of this beautiful bird. The colours are, throughout, of the plainest kinds; but they are so exquisitely softened, neatly speckled, and elegantly interspersed and varied with streaks and waves of black, that no description can convey a just idea of its beautiful appearance.
It has many characters of the Swallow tribe. Klein has placed it in that genus, and distinguishes it by its undivided tail from the other species; and Pennant says, it may with justice be called the
Nocturnal Swallow,
as it differs from the Swallows chiefly in the time of its flight, the latter being on the wing in the day, and the Goat-Sucker only in the evening. It agrees in several respects also with the Owl tribe. Its manners are much the same in most countries in Europe: it retires into some dark recess in forests, woods, or among rocks, and never ventures out in the day time but in very gloomy weather, or when disturbed. As it can see best in the twilight, it comes out in the dusk of the evening and morning, and collects its food; this it does chiefly on the wing when it finds abundance of moths and other insects stirring. In the month of July, it is said to live entirely on the dorr beetle, or cock-chaffer
Scarabaeus Melontha.
; and from this circumstance Charlton has called it the Dorr-Hawk.
The notes of this bird are of two kinds: "the loudest," says Pennant, "so much resembles that of a large spinning-wheel, that the Welch call this bird
aderyny droell,
or the
Wheel Bird.
" And he farther adds, "it begins its song most punctually on the close of day, sitting usually on a bare bough, with its head lower than the tail, the lower jaw quivering with the efforts. The noise is so very violent, as to give a sensible vibration to any little building it chances to alight on, and emit this species of note. The other is a sharp squeak, which it repeats often: this seems to be a note of love, as it is observed to reiterate it when in pursuit of the female among the trees."
The male is distinguished from the female by a large oval white spot, situated on the inner web of the first three quill feathers, and another at the ends of the two exterior feathers of the tail.
The bill is alike in both male and female: it is short, but the gape is remarkably wide. It is, probably, from the structure of the mouth that the ancients supposed this bird sucked the teats of goats. In the days of Aristotle, this ridiculous notion was generally prevalent; but among modern naturalists, none except
Scopoli
seems inclined to credit such an opinion.
The female makes no nest, but lays her eggs on the bare ground. They are usually two in number, of a whitish hue, and marbled with brown.
This is a very confined genus. Latham enumerates, including his supplementary volume, but seventeen species, and of these we find only our present subject, mentioned as a native of Europe. It appears to be an inhabitant of every country on the continent, but is very sparingly diffused in some parts, and no where common: it is also said to inhabit
Africa
and
Asia. Sonnerat
met with one on the coast of Coromandel. With us it is a bird of passage, and arrives about the latter end of May. It entirely disappears in the northern parts of the kingdom in August, but does not quit the southern parts till September.
The size of this species is ten inches and a half, breadth twenty two inches and a half, weight two ounces and three quarters.
PLATE LXVIII. PODICEPS CRISTATUS. CRESTED GREBE. ANSERES.
Bill obtuse, covered with a thin membrane, broad, gibbous below the base, swelled at the apex. Tongue fleshy. Legs naked. Feet webbed, or finned.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill strong, slender, sharp pointed. Nostril linear. Lore base of feathers. Body depressed. Feathers thick, smooth and glossy. No Tail. Wings short. Legs placed far behind, much compressed, and doubly at the back part. Toes furnished on each side with a broad plain membrane
Latham.
.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Above black brown. Beneath silvery white. Feathers of the Head long, and forming two ears above, and a ruff below.
COLYMBUS CRISTATUS. Pedibus lobato-fissis, capite rufo, collari nigro, remigibus secundariis albis.
Fn. Sv.— Lin. Syst. Nat.
1. 135. 68. 2.
edit.
10.
Colymbus major cristatus & cornutus.
Raii Syn. p.
124. A.
Avis pugnax.
Aldr.
169.
PODICEPS CRISTATUS.
Lath. Gen. Syn. vol.
5. 281. 1.
GREAT CRESTED GREBE.
Penn. Br. Zool. No
223.
—
Arct. Zool. p.
498. A.
CRESTED GREBE.
Latham.
Greater crested and horned Ducker.
Will. orn. p.
340. § 4. 5.
pl.
61.
Plott. Hist. Staff. p.
229.
pl.
22.
Albin.
1.
pl.
81. 2.
pl.
75.
Ash-coloured Loon.
Dr. Brown. Raii syn. av.
124.
The Cargoose.
Charleton ex.
107.
La Grebe huppée.
Bris. Orn.
6.
p.
38. 2.
pl.
4.
Buff. Ois.
8.
p.
233.
—
Pl. enl.
944.
La Grebe cornue.
Bris. Orn.
6.
p.
45. 4.
pl.
5.
fig.
1.
Buff. Ois.
8.
p.
233.
pl.
19.
—
Pl. enl.
400.
Grand Plongeon de riviere.
Belon. av.
178.
Ducchel.
Gesner. av.
138.
Smergo, Fisolo marine.
Zinan.
107.
Danis
Topped og Halfkraved Dykker,
Topped Haw Skioere.
Brunnich.
135.
Gehoernter Seehahn, Noerike.
Frisch.
2. 183.
This is the largest bird of the genus that inhabits Great Britain; its length is twenty-three inches, weight two pounds and a half. The extraordinary length of the neck, and remarkable structure of the feet, give it a most aukward, yet singular appearance. The breast and belly is of a very beautiful silvery white, intermixed with shades of pale ferruginous colour, and has a gloss like sattin; these skins are in much request, and like those of the Grebe of Geneva are made into muffs, tippets, &c. In February the skins lose the bright colour, and in the breeding time the breast is almost bare.
Mr. Latham gives a minute account of the plumage of this species in several stages of life; he says, "At first they are perfectly downy and striped, especially down the neck, with black: after this, when about half grown, the stripes on the neck are less distinct, being rather mottled than striped, and the under parts, though white, is clouded with dusky; at this period a fullness round the head is observed: as the bird advances still further towards perfection, the brown and white appears clear and distinct, the head becomes much tufted, and the horns are a little elongated. But we have great reason to believe that the bird does not obtain the full and perfect crest till the second year at least."
This species is common in some parts of this country. They breed in the meres of
Shropshire
and
Cheshire,
and in the
east
fen of
Lincolnshire
They are called by the country people of this part
Gaunts.
. The female lays four white eggs, the size of those of a pigeon; the nest in which they are deposited, like others of the Grebe kind, are composed of different kinds of water plants, such as the stalks of the
Water Lily, Pond Weed,
&c. carelessly put together, and left floating on the water, among the flags and rushes. The old bird feeds on small fish; when the young brood is hatched, they are fed upon small eels. This bird is rarely seen on the land, and though common, it is very difficult to be shot, as it darts into the water on the least appearance of danger, and seldom flies farther than the end of the lake it frequents
Pennant.
.
PLATE LXIX. PARUS MAJOR. GREAT TITMOUSE. PASSERES.
Bill conic, pointed. Nostrils oval, broad, naked.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill short, strait, strong, sharp pointed. Nostrils covered with bristles. Tongue blunt; bristles at the end.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Bill, Head, Throat, black; Cheeks white. Above green. Beneath yellow with an irregular black line down the middle. Greater coverts of the wing tipped with white. Exterior side of the outer feathers of the Tail white.
PARUS MAJOR: capite nigro, temporibus albis, nucha lutea.
Fn. Sv.—Lin. Syst. Nat.
1. 189. 100. 2.
edit.
12.
Parus Major, seu Fringillago.
Raii Syn. p.
73. A. 1.
Gesn. av.
640.
GREAT TITMOUSE, or OX EYE.
Will. Orn. p.
240.
pl.
43.
Albin.
1.
pl.
46.
GREAT TITMOUSE.
Penn. Br. Zool.
1.
No
162.
pl.
57.
f.
1.
—
Arct. Zool.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
4.
p.
536. 1.
La Grosse Mesange, ou la Charbonniere,
Bris. Orn.
3.
p.
539.
No
1.
Buff. Ois.
5.
p.
392.
pl.
17.
—
Pl. enl.
3.
f.
1.
Nonette ou Mesange.
Belon. av.
376.
Spernuzzola, Parassola.
Olina,
28.
Snitza.
Scopoli, No
242.
Talg-oxe.
Faun. Suec.
Musvit.
Brunich,
287.
Kohlmeise.
Kramer,
378.
Frisch,
1. 13.
This is a very common species in this country, as well as in many other parts of Europe: it is also said to inhabit the most remote parts of Africa.
It frequents gardens, and does much injury to fruit trees in the spring, by tearing off the young shoots; but, it is also very beneficial, in destroying the insects that infest those trees. In confinement it prefers hemp seed to all others.
In its manner it very much resembles a Wood-pecker, it is continually running up and down the bodies of trees in quest of insects, and such as are concealed under the bark, it discovers by sounding with its bill. It is very alert and almost always seen hanging by its legs, or running in a suspended posture. It is also very courageous, and will attack birds that are far more powerful than itself.
In the breeding-time it lives chiefly in the woods, and builds in hollow trees. The female lays from eight to twelve eggs; they are white, spotted with rust colour.
The length of this bird is five inches and three quarters, weight almost an ounce.
PLATE LXX. FALCO HALIAETUS. OSPREY. ACCIPITRES.
Birds of prey. Bill and claws strong, hooked. An angle in each margin of the upper mandible. Body muscular. Females larger and more beautiful than the males.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill arched from the base, which is covered with a wax-like membrane or cere.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Cere and Feet blue. Back brown. Head whitish.
FALCO HALIAETUS: cera pedibusque caeruleis, corpore supra fusco subtus albo, capite albido.—
Fn. Suec. Lin. Syst. Nat.
1.
p.
91. 21.
edit.
10.
Haliaetus, seu aquila marina.
Gesner av.
804.
Falco cyanopus.
Klein Stem. Tab.
8.
Auguista piumbina, Aquilastro, Haliaetus, seu Morphnos.
Aldr. av. I.
105. 114.
Falco Haliaetus.
Georgi Reise. p.
164.
Kolben Cape of Good Hope.
2.
p.
137.?
OSPREY.
Pen. Br. Zool.
1. 174. 46.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
1. 45. 26.
Bald Buzzard, or Sea Eagle.
Raii Syn. av.
16.
Bald Buzzard.
Will. Orn. p.
69.
t.
6.
Fishing Hawk.
Catesby's Carol.
1.
Tab.
2.
L'Aigle de Mer.
Bris. Orn.
1.
p.
440.
t.
34.
No
10.
Le Balbuzard.
Buff. Ois.
I.
p.
103.
t.
2.—
Pl. enl.
414.
Une Orfraye.
Belon. av.
96.
Balbushardus.
Turneri.
Blafot, Fisk-orn.
Faun. Suec.—Brunnich, p.
5.
The length of this Bird is twenty-three inches; breadth five feet four inches. It is a very powerful creature, and is armed with long, hooked claws, and a remarkably strong bill; in the structure of it's feet it differs from all other birds of prey; the outer toe turns backwards, and the claw belonging to it is larger than that of the inner toe.
It frequents the sea-shores, rivers and lakes. Some authors say it feeds on water-fowl, but its chief food is fish; and these it does not take by swimming, but hovering in the air, with its eye directed into the water, it soon discovers it's prey, when precipitating like lightning upon it, it brings the fish up in its talons, and retires to a distance to devour it. The Italians call it the
Leaden Eagle,
because it descends with so much violence on its prey: and Latham has adopted with an (?) among his synonyms the account of
Kolben,
of a bird he supposes the Osprey.
Kolben
observes, "That it is of all birds the most destructive to the
Flying-fish,
taking them during their rise from the water."
Pennant says it builds it's nest on the ground among reeds, and lays three or four white eggs of an elliptical form; rather less than those of a hen.
Ancient writers have asserted that the left foot is
subpalmated;
many respectable Naturalists of late years have followed this opinion, and indeed the
authority
of
Linneus
had almost finally sanctioned this error.
Pennant
contradicts this opinion, and gives a faithful description of the bird, and
Latham
has added a very curious and interesting note to his account of it
"I do not believe," says Mr. Latham, "that there is either bird or quadruped, in which each side of the body does not correspond in size and shape, in a natural state, though the contrary is sometimes seen in the insect tribe." He further adds, "In respect to winged insects, it is observed that even the marks of the wings exactly correspond on each side. Indeed a singular circumstance occurs in one of the BLATTA or
Cockroach genus (Blatta thetcroclita
Linneus describes this Insect
Cassida petiveriana,—Cassida
7
guttata
nigra, coleoptris maculis septem albis.
Syst. Ent.
90. 26.—
Linn. Syst. Nat.
2. 577. 19.—Fabricius,
Blatta petiveriana
nigra, elytris maculis quatuor flavescentibus.
Syst. Ent.
272. 11.—
Spec. Ins.
1. 343. 13.
) which I believe is the only one recorded, at least observed by me. In this species, one of the elytra, or wing-cases, is marked with sour white spots, and the other with three only; which holds good in every specimen of it I have yet seen.
"As to
Lusus Naturae,
they are far from being uncommon; such as a duck without webs to the toes, which I have often seen; a common snail with the spiral turns of the shell reversed, one of which was found in my garden a few years since; also a flounder having the eyes and lateral line on the left side instead of the right
Br. Zool. vol. 8. p. 293.
, &c.
"These, and an hundred such which might be mentioned, must be reckoned as singularities happening now and then, but by no means to be set down for permanent distinctions of species."
, which is certainly an apology in some measure for the mistake in the first instance; since a bird perfectly according with the description given by early writers may have occurred. We cannot suppose, without some good authority in ancient writers, Linneus would have adopted their errors.
PLATE LXXI. ANAS TARDONA. SHIELDRAKE. ANSERES.
Bill obtuse, covered with a thin membrane, broad, gibbous below the base, swelled at the apex. Tongue fleshy. Legs naked. Feet webbed or finned.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill convex above, flat beneath, hooked at the apex, with membranous teeth.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
ANAS TARDONA rostro simo, fronte compressa, corpore albo viriegato.—Anas albo-variegata, pectoris lateribus ferrugineis abdomine longitudinaliter cinercomaculato.—
Fn. Sv.—Lin. Syst. Nat. vol.
1.
p.
122.
g.
61.
sp.
3.
edit.
10.
Anas maritima.
Gesner av.
803. 804.
SHIELDRAKE or Burrough Duck.
Raii Syn. p.
140. A. 1.
Will. Orn. p.
363.
pl.
70. 71.
Albin.
1.
pl.
94.
Penn. Br. Zool.
2.
No
278.—
Arct. Zool. p.
572.
D.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
6.
p.
504. 51.—
Suppl.
La Tardone.
Bris. Orn.
6.
p.
344. 9.
pl.
33.
fig.
2.
Buff. Ois.
9.
p.
205.
pl.
14—
Pl. enl.
53.
Belon. av.
172.
Vulpanser Tardone.
Aldr. av.
3. 71. 97.
Jugas.
Faun. Suec.
Bergander.
Turneri.
Danis,
Brand-Gaas, Grav-Gaas.
Norvegis,
Ring-Gaas, Fager-Gaas, Ur-Gaas, Bodbelte.
Feroensibus,
Hav-Simmer.
Islandis,
Avekong.—
Br.
47.
Pennant.
Kracht-Ente.
Frisch.
2. 166.
This is a very elegant Bird: length two feet, weight two pounds two ounces. The female differs very little from the male, except that her colours are not so bright. It is found in vast quantities on several of our sea-coasts, and particularly about the rivers and lakes in
Lancashire
and
Essex,
where it finds abundance of small fish, marine insects, &c. It breeds in holes that it digs in the earth, or in the deserted burrows of rabbits. The female lays from twelve to sixteen eggs, of a roundish form and white colour. These are deposited at the farthest end of the hole, and are carefully covered with fine down, which the female supplies from her breast. The old Bird is very careful of her little brood, and uses many cunning stratagems to draw the attention of any disturber from her young: it is even said that if she cannot favor their escape from danger by that means, she will carry them away in her bill, or on her back. The time of sitting on the eggs is about thirty days.
Some have attempted to domesticate them by bringing them up under the common Duck; but they do not thrive so well as when they are wild, nor will any such attempt be likely to succecd, unless it be made in the neighbourhood of the sea. The flesh is very rank, but their eggs are much esteemed.
This species remains with us all the year: in winter it collects in large flocks; leaves the Orknies in that season, and returns there again in the spring. It is also found very far to the North: in Asia about the
Caspian Sea
Latham.
, and the salt lakes of the
Tartarian
and
Siberian Desarts
Decou. Russ.
1.
p.
472.
,
Kamschatka
Pen. Arct. Zool.
and the
Falkland Isles
Penrose, p.
34.
.
PLATE LXXII. SCOLOPAX PHAEOPUS. WHIMBREL. GRALLAE.
Bill roundish. Tongue entire, fleshy. Thighs naked. Toes divided.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill long, slender, incurvated. Toes connected as far as the first joint by a strong membrane.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Bill short. Above brown spotted with black; beneath whitish. Tail crossed with black bars. Legs and feet bluish or dull green.
SCOLOPAX PHAEOPUS rostro arcuato, pedibus caerulescentibus maculis dorsalibus fuscis rhomboidalibus.
Linn. Syst. Nat.
1. 146. 6.
edit.
10.
Faun. Suec.
Scop. Ann.
1. No 132.
Kram. El. p.
350.
Georgi Reise.
171.
Phaeopus altera, vel arquata minor.
Gesner av.
499.
Numenius minor.
Brisson. Orn.
5.
p.
317. 2.
pl.
27.
fig.
1.
Numenius Phaeopus.
Latham Suppl.
WHIMBREL.
Raii Syn. p.
103.
A.
2.
Will. Orn. p.
294.
Edw. pl.
307.
Penn. Br. Zool.
2. No 177.
p.
430.
Lath. Gen. Syn.
5. 123. 6.
Corlieu, ou petit Courly.
Bris. Orn.
5.
p.
317. 2.
pl.
27.
fig.
1.
Buff. Ois.
8.
p.
27.—
Pl. enl.
842.
Tarango la Girardello.
Aldr. av.
3. 180.
Windspole, Spof.
Faun. Suec. p.
169.
Kleiner Goisser.
Kram.
350.
Kleine Art Brachvogel or Regenvogel.
Frisch.
2. 225.
The length of this Bird is seventeen inches; breadth twenty-nine; weight fourteen ounces and a half. It is much less frequent in this country than the Curlew, to which it bears a great resemblance in appearance, though not in size; the latter being usually from twenty to twenty-five inches in length. In its manners it is also much like the Curlew.
It is met with in flocks from April to May on its passage to the North, where it is supposed they breed.
Mr. Pennant
says he received one from
Invercauld,
shot on the
Grampian Hills.
This species seems to vary in a great degree: the Bird described by
Mr. Latham
does not accord in several respects with that given by
Mr. Pennant.
A specimen of this has been received from Sweden:
Mr. Latham
says it is also found in America.
INDEX TO VOL. III. ARRANGEMENT ACCORDING TO THE SYSTEM OF LINNAEUS.
ORDER I. ACCIPITRES.
FALCO TINNUNCULUS
(mas.)
Plate 51
FALCO TINNUNCULUS
(fem.)
Plate 63
FALCO HALIAETUS Plate 70
—
Not described by Linnaeus.
PEREGRINE FALCON Plate 53
FALCON CYANEUS Plate 59
ORDER III. ANSERES.
ANAS TADORNA Plate 71
MERGUS MERGANSER
(mas.)
Plate 49
—
(fem.)
Plate 65
MERGUS MINUTUS Plate 52
ALCA TORDA Plate 64
COLYMBUS GLACIALIS Plate 58
COLYMBUS CRISTATUS Plate 68
COLYMBUS MINUTUS Plate 56
ORDER IV. GRALLAE.
ARDEA MINUTA Plate 54
SCOLOPAX PHAEOPUS Plate 72
CHARADRIUS HYMANTOPUS Plate 55
RECURVIROSTRA AVOCETTA Plate 66
HAEMATOPUS OSTRALEGUS Plate 62
ORDER VI. PASSERES.
TURDUS TORQUATUS Plate 61
EMBERIZA MILIARIA Plate 50
MOTACILLA RUBETRA Plate 60
PARUS MAJOR Plate 69
PARUS CAERULEUS Plate 57
CAPRIMULGUS EUROPAEUS Plate 67
VOL. III. ARRANGEMENT ACCORDING TO LATHAM'S SYNOPSIS OF BIRDS.
DIVISION I. LAND BIRDS.
ORDER I. RAPACIOUS.
GENUS II.
FALCO HALIAETUS. OSPREY Plate 70
FALCO PEREGRINUS. PEREGRINE FALCON Plate 53
FALCO TINNUNCULUS. KESTRIL,
male
Plate 51
FALCO TINNUNCULUS. KESTRIL,
female
Plate 63
FALCO CYANEUS. HEN-HARRIER Plate 59
ORDER III. PASSERINE.
GENUS XXXI.
TURDUS TORQUATUS. RING OUZEL. Plate 61
GENUS XXXV.
EMBERIZA MILIARIA. COMMON BUNTING. Plate 50
GENUS XLI.
SYLVIA RUBETRA. WHIN CHAT Plate 60
GENUS XLIII.
PARUS MAJOR. GREAT TITMOUSE Plate 69
PARUS CAERULEUS. BLUE TITMOUSE. Plate 57
GENUS XLV.
CAPRIMULGUS EUROPAEUS. EUROPEAN GOATSUCKER Plate 67
DIVISION II. WATER BIRDS.
ORDER VII. WITH CLOVEN FEET.
GENUS LXV.
ARDEA MINUTA. LITTLE BITTERN Plate 54
GENUS LXVII.
NUMENIUS (SCOLOPAX LIN.) Plate  
NUMENIUS-PHAEOPUS. WHIMBREL Plate 72
GENUS LXX.
CHARADRIUS HIMANTOPUS. LONG LEGGED PLOVER Plate 55
GENUS LXXI.
HAEMATOPUS OSTRALEGUS. PIED OYSTER-CATCHER Plate 62
GENUS LXXIX.
PODICEPS CRISTATUS. CRESTED GREBE Plate 68
PODICEPS MINUTUS. LITTLE GREBE Plate 56
ORDER IX. WEB-FOOTED.
GENUS LXXX.
RECURVIROSTRA AVOCETTA. SCOOPING AVERET Plate 66
GENUS LXXXIV.
ALCA TORDA. RAZOR-BILLED AUK Plate 64
GENUS LXXXVI.
COLYMBUS GLACIALIS. NORTHERN DIVER Plate 58
GENUS XCI.
MERGUS MERGANSER. MALE GOOSANDER Plate 49
MERGUS MERGANSER? FEMALE GOOSANDER? Plate 65
MERGUS MINUTUS. RED HEADED SMEW Plate 52
GENUS XCII.
ANAS TADORDA. SHIELDRAKE Plate 71
VOL. III. ALPHABETICAL ARRANGEMENT.
Avocetta, Recurvirostra, Scooping Avoset, Plate 66
Caeruleus, Parus, Blue Titmouse, Plate 57
Cristotus, Colymbus, Crested Grebe, Plate 68
Cyaneus, Falco, Hen Harrier, Plate 59
Europaeus Caprimulgus, European Goatsucker, Plate 67
Glacialis, Colymbus, Northern Diver, Plate 58
Halioetus, Falco, Osprey, Plate 70
Himantopus, Charadrius, Long Legged Plover, Plate 55
Major, Parus, Great Titmouse, Plate 69
Merganser, Mergus, Male Goosander, Plate 49
Merganser, Mergus? Female Goosander, Plate 65
Miliaria Emberiza, Common Bunting, Plate 50
Minuta, Ardea, Little Bittern, Plate 54
Minutus, Podiceps, Little Grebe, Plate 56
Minutus, Mergus, Redheaded Smew, Plate 52
Ostralegus, Haematopus, Oyster-catcher, or Sea Pie, Plate 62
Peregrinus, Falco, Peregrine Falcon, Plate 53
Phaeopus, Scolopax, Whimbrel, Plate 72
Rubetra, Motacilla, Whin Chat Plate 60
Tadorna, Anas, Shieldrake, Plate 71
Tinnunculus, Falco, Female Kestril, Plate 63
Tinnunculus, Falco, Male Kestril, Plate 51
Torda, Alca, Razor Bill, Plate 64
Torquatus, Turdus, Ring Ouzel, Plate 61