158 NEW-YORK FAUNA — BIRDS. 



THE FIELD BUNTING. 



Emberiza pusilla. 



plate lxvi. fig. 152. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Passer agrestis. Bartram, Travels, p. 291. 



Fringilla pusilla. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 121, pi. 16, fig. 2. 



Passerijm id. Vieillot, Diet. Sc. Nat. 



F. ( Spiza) pusilla. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. Vol. 2, p. 110. Audubon, folio, pi. 139. 



F. juncorum. Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 1, p. 499. Kirtland, Zool. Ohio, p. 164. Peabody, Mass. Rep. p. 325. 



Emberiza id. Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 251. Audubon, Birds of Am. Vol. 3, p. 77, pi. 164. 



E. pusilla. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 105. 



Characteristics. Crown chesnut. Cheeks, line over the eye, throat and breast pale 

 brownish drab. Interscapulars bay, streaked with black. Beneath 

 greyish. First quill shorter than the sixth. Length, six inches. 



Description. Bill conical, entire, with small bristles at the base. Third and fourth quills 

 longest, subequal. Tail emarginate, rounded, 1 " 5 longer than the tips of the closed wings. 



Color. Above streaked with dusky reddish and grey. A band over the eye, and the 

 throat, bluish grey. Rump olive brown. Wings and tail dark brown, edged with whitish. 

 Wing-coverts tipped with white. 



This common little species reaches this State from the south in the beginning of April. It 

 breeds with us, placing its nest on or near the ground, in which are usually deposited 5 to 6 

 white eggs of a fleshy tint, and thickly sprinkled with reddish brown dots. It feeds on insects 

 and seeds. It has been observed sparingly in Maine, which appears to be its most northerly 

 limits. On the approach of winter, it retreats to the south as far as Maryland ; and during 

 the winter, is found from that State as far south as Texas and Mexico. 



