EGGS OF BEITISH BIRDS. 251 



THE CORN BUNTING. 

 (Emberiza miliaria .) * 



Plate 57, Figs. 17, 20. 



The Corn Bunting, often inappropriately called the " Common" 

 Bunting, is by no means the commonest or best known of the 

 British species of this genus. It is common enough in some 

 localities, rare in others, and its distribution is certainly local. 

 It has a somewhat restricted range, and inhabits the south-western 

 portion of the Palaearctic region, where it is for the most part a 

 resident. 



The nest is generally placed on the ground, in a little depression, 

 but sometimes it is slightly above it ; it is rather loosely put to- 

 gether, and made of dry grass, a scrap or two of moss, sometimes 

 roots or tufts of twitch, and is lined with fine grass, and, in most 

 cases, with a few hairs. 



The eggs are from four to six in number ; and although they 

 differ considerably amongst themselves, their size prevents them 

 from being confused with the eggs of the other Buntings that breed 

 in this country. The ground varies from pale clay-colour to dull 

 white, and the spots, streaks, and blotches vary from rich purplish- 

 brown, almost black, to pale brown, and the underlying markings, 

 which on some eggs are large and numerous, are violet-grey or 

 greyish-purple. They vary in length from 105 to 0'87 inch, and 

 in breadth from 0"75 to 07 inch. 



THE ORTOLAN BUNTING. 

 {Emberiza hortulana.) 



Plate 57, Figs. 18, 19. 



The Ortolan Bunting is an occasional visitor to Great Britain, 

 and is one of the many species of Pal [paretic birds which find the 

 eastern limit of their distribution in Central Asia. 



The nest is always placed on the ground amongst herbage, 

 generally in a slight hollow, and is formed of dry grass and roots, 

 lined with fine roots or hair. 



The eggs of the Ortolan Bunting are from four to six in number. 

 They vary from the palest of bluish-white to pale salmon-colour, 

 * Miliaria miliaria — Sharpe, Handb., I., p. 73. 



