File:A history of the birds of Europe, not observed in the British Isles (1859) (14732254836).jpg

Identifier: historybirdsEurIVBree (find matches)
Title: A history of the birds of Europe, not observed in the British Isles
Year: 1859 (1850s)
Authors: Bree, Charles Robert, 1811-1886 Fawcett, Benjamin, 1808-1893, engraver
Subjects: Pictorial works Birds
Publisher: London : Groombridge and Sons ...
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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years, or the adult ofSusemihl, which comes to the same thing! We are thenobliged to admit that the blackish and slaty liveries arevarieties probably belonging to an advanced age. Theplumage of the Eleonora Falcon varies more than any 200 FALCO ELEONOE.JE. other, and sometimes we find a similar tendency in tliesize. By the kindness of Mr. Eeeve, I am able to figurean excellent drawing with which he has favoured me ofa specimen in the Norwich Museum, in the young orHobby-like plumage, the cere, beak, and legs beingcoloured from a living specimen in Mr. Gurneysgardens at Catton. Of this specimen Mr. Gurneywrites me,—About three years ago I bought a livingF. eleonora, which I still have, and which still retainsthe Hobby-like dress which it had when I bought it.I think, however, it is very gradually becoming darker,and its colours were never so bright as the one whichMr. Eeeve is drawing for you; in this bird the cere isa dark bluish grey, legs and feet greenish yellow, irisdark hazel.
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3TRIX PUSILLA. 201 STEIX PUSILLA. Baud. Strix passerina, Likn^us. Vol. I, Page 124. I HAVE given a full history of this bird in the firstvolume, and also a figure of the best and mostauthentic specimen which I could then obtain. Sincethat time Mr. Wheelwright has very kindly broughtunder my notice its Swedish form, and as it difiersmaterially in colour from that which I have figured, Inow give drawings from an adult and young bird whichthat gentleman has sent me. I also add the followingto the history of this interesting species, contained ina letter from Mr. Wheelwright, dated Gardsjo, March,1863:—I have been in the forest lately, and foundout more about this little Owl. It certainly breeds withus, and not sparingly, and I do hope to get you thenest this year. I have a live one now in a cage, anda most amusing pet it is. Although diurnal in its habits,it seems to sit very still until evening and very earlymorning. As far as I can make out this is the earliestbird in our forests; fo

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