THE BUNTmGS. 



The Buntings are a numerous race. Tlicy have a bill which is very strong, short, 

 conical, and eoiupressed laterally, but without any tooth or notch ; tlio ujjpor mandible is 

 narrowish, turned inward at the edges, and with a bony knot at the palatal end. It is 

 thus well fitted for breaking the rinds or shells of seeds, and ejecting them without 

 losing any of the kernel, which, from the way the mandibles close, drops into the bil 

 rather than out of it. The wings are of moderate length ; the tail spreads towards the 

 extremity, and is either forked or lobed ; and the feet, with three toes before and one 

 behind, are all free. 



Of the genus Pkctrophanes, the most familiar and interesting example is, 



THE .S.NOVV BUKTIKG.* 



It is found in the northern parts of Great Britain, and is called in Scotland the "snow 

 flake." These birds appear there in large flocks, at the commencement of frost, and are 

 feared by many as the harbingers of hard weather. 



This bird is the size of a lark, six inches and a-half in length, of which the tail 

 measures tM'o and two-thirds. The female is rather smaller. They nestle in holes of 

 rocks, and produce five white eggs, with dusky spots. They are found in all the northern 

 latitudes, as high as navigators have penetrated ; nor is it j^et apparent by what means 

 they obtain food in these inhospitable regions. The higher the degree of latitude in 

 which they are found, the whiter, as it appears, becomes their plumage. 



IJIK OKTOL.\X BUKTING.f 



This bii'd is foimd, in its wild state, principall)' in the southern and temperate parts of 

 Eiu'ope, and is not scarce in some of the provinces of Germany. The ortolans may often 

 be seen, in various directions, on their passage ; for though they may not remain 

 during the summer in a district, yet they make some stay, never passing over a great 

 space of coimtry at a time. Their route is so exact and regidar, that when one lias been 

 obsor\'ed in a particular spot, especially if in spring, it is siu-e to bo found there the 

 following year at the same time. Ortolans fly rather in families than in flocks. 



"When these birds first arrive in France, they are far from fat ; but artifice soon makes 

 them fit for the table. Many of them are enclosed in a dark chamber, in which is placed 

 a lanthorn, surroxmded plentifully with oats and miUet. The darkness seems to have 

 the effect of directing the whole attention of the birds to their favourite food, thus placed 

 in their view ; and it is said thej^ will thus die of suflbcation from their own fat, if left 

 entii'ely to themselves. 



THE KUOLISII BUNTING.* 



"When wild, this species, which loves solitude, and prefers mountainous districts, 

 inhabits the south of France, Italy, and the south of Austria. In some winters tliey 

 quit those countries and proceed even to the middle of Germany, where they are found 

 in March and April, in elevated situations. 



* Pk'Ctrophaucs Nivalis.— Meyer. t Emberizn Ortulana.— Linn. 



\ iMubeiiza C'la. — Tanu. 



