NON-INDIGEXOUS BRITISH BIRDS. 25 



the surface spots are brown, the underlying ones are 

 gray. The egg*^ vary considerably in size and character 

 of markings. On some eggs the latter are few, large, and 

 irregular, on others small and evenly sprinkled over the 

 entire surface, whilst on others the small spots pre- 

 dominate, intermingled here and there with larger mark- 

 ings. As a rule niost of the spots are distributed over 

 the larger end of the egg, and sometimes, being con- 

 fluent, form an irregular zone. Average measurement, 

 '85 inch in length, by "/ inch in breadth. Incubation is 

 performed by the female, but the duration of the period 

 is apparently unknown. 



Diagnostic characters : Some of the eggs of this 

 species closely resemble those of the White and Pied 

 Wagtails, but the locality and structure of the nest is a 

 pretty safe guide. They cannot be confused with those 

 of any other Bunting, except perhaps wilh those of 

 Eviberiza liiteola^ a species however which does not breed 

 in the same area. 



Family FRINGILLID/E. Genus Emberiza. 



Sub-family EMBERIZINAL. 



ORTOLAN BUNTING. 



Emberiza hortulana, Lmficcus. 



(British : Abnormal spring and autumn migrant.) 



Single Brooded. Laying season, latter half of May and 

 early June. 



Breeding area : W^estern Pal?earctic region. The 

 Ortolan Bunting breeds throughout continental Europe 

 in all suitable localities, extending as far north as the 



