AVES. 71 



129. Euspiza iiiclano:cphala. (Scop. Ann. I. H. N., p. 142.) 

 Black-headed Bunting. 



The Black-headed Bunting returns to Palestine in the beginning 

 of May, and from that time is very abundant in the upper country and on 

 the coast ; its bright plumage, powerful and cheery note, and habit of 

 perching on the very top of the highest tree or bush in its neighbourhood, 

 always attracting attention to it. Its nest is on or near the ground, and 

 it lays blue eggs with fine russet spots. There is nothing of the Bunting 

 in its habits and character. 



Though taken in Heligoland, and it is said once in England, this is a 

 strictly Eastern form, never having been found in Africa, and rarely west 

 of Greece. It is abundant in Asia Minor, all through Syria and the 

 Caucasus, and winters in North-west India. 



130. Eniberiza viiliaria. Linn. Syst. Nat. i., p. 30S. Common 

 Bunting. 



The Common Bunting is as common as the Skylark in England on all 

 the lower plains throughout the year. 



It inhabits all Europe, excepting Northern Scandinavia, but does not 

 extend far east, though it has been taken in Turkestan. In Siberia it is 

 not found, but southwards is common not only in Syria, but on the corn- 

 plains of Mesopotamia and Persia. 



131. Eniberiza hoiiulana. Linn. Syst. Nat. i., p. S09. Ortolan 

 Bunting. 



The Ortolan is very abundant in spring, returning in the beginning of 

 April, and resorting much to olive-yards and gardens. 



The Ortolan, though only a straggler in England, is generally spread 

 throughout Europe in summer, yet its distribution is perplexing. 

 Generally speaking, its distribution is eastward, being rare in Holland and 

 Denmark, common in Finland ; yet found in Spain and Morocco, not in 

 Algeria. It is plentiful in Southern Russia, but scarcely known in Egypt, 

 though found on the Abyssinian Highlands ; and eastward is found in 

 Persia. 



