442 EMBERIZA MILIARIA. 



am unable to point out any distinctive marks. The oesophagus is 

 three inches long ; the gizzard three fourths in diameter ; the 

 intestine ten inches long ; the coeca two and two and a half 

 twelfths, and an inch and a quarter from the vent. 



Length to end of tail 7i inches ; extent of wings 12f ; bill 

 along the ridge f , along the edge of lower mandible y\ ; wing 

 from flexure 4 ; tail 3 ; tarsus {^ ; first toe ^^j, its claw j% ; 

 second toe j%^ its claw 2i twelfths ; third toe ^§. its claw 24 

 twelfths ; fourth toe J, its claw j%. 



Variations. — The plumage is said to be sometimes white, 

 and I have seen it variegated with that colour. It is in win- 

 ter, when the feathers are perfect, that the tints are deepest ; 

 and in summer a considerable change has taken place, from the 

 fading of the colours and the abrasion of the tips, in conse- 

 quence of which many of the spots on the lower parts are ob- 

 literated. The colours thus, as in other birds of the class, tend 

 to become purer and lighter towards the period of change. 



Habits. — The Common Bunting, which is a permanent re- 

 sident, is generally distributed, although it is not very common 

 in many districts. It frequents open pastures, grass and corn 

 fields, and in its distribution seems peculiar to cultivated land 

 or its vicinity, scarcely ever appearing on moors or on moun- 

 tain pastures. It is more abundant in the outer Hebrides than 

 in any other part of the country that I have visited, and there 

 is generally known by the name of Sparrow. Towards the 

 end of autumn the Buntings collect into small flocks, and search 

 the stubble for seeds of various kinds, especially oats and wheat. 

 Frequently at this season they sit close, like the Larks, and 

 allow a person to come near before they fly oft' ; but for the 

 most part they are shy and not easily approached. In winter, 

 especially in cold or boisterous weather, they appear near 

 houses, and mingle in the stack-yards with Sparrows, Yellow 

 Buntings, Larks, and other small birds ; but they are not so 

 gregarious as these species, and are very seldom met with in 

 large flocks. Their flight is strong, capable of being long pro- 

 tracted, undulated, being performed by alternate beatings and 



