YELLOW BUNTING. 447 



Length to end of tail 74 inches; extent of wings 11 ; bill 

 along the ridge 4i twelfths ; along the edge of lower mandible 

 ^% ; wing from flexure 3| ; tail 3 ; tarsus j% ; first toe 4^ 

 twelfths, its claw j\ ; second toe j%, its claw 2h twelfths ; 

 third toe ^\, its claw yV ; fourth toe f'V, its claw 2^ twelfths. 



Female. — The colouring of the female is similar to that of 

 the male ; but the yellow parts are more obscured, the head 

 being nearly dark, excepting its fore-part, and the lower neck 

 assuming a dull greenish tint. The fore part of the breast and 

 the sides are merely streaked with yellowish-red ; the chest- 

 nut of the rump is a little paler, and the quills and tail-feathers 

 are of a lighter tint. The white spots on the latter are smaller. 



Length to end of tail 6^| ; extent of wings lOf ; bill along 

 the ridge 4i twelfths, along the edge of lower mandible j% ; 

 tarsus j ; middle toe and claw { § ; hind toe and claw j% . 



Variations. — The males differ considerably In the tints of 

 the plumage, the yellow of the head and neck being more or 

 less pure, the red of the breast and rump more or less deep. 

 In very old birds, the yellow is more extended but paler. I 

 have seen a specimen, shot in the county of Linlithgow by 

 Mr. Weir of Boghead, of a greyish-white colour, the margins 

 of the feathers pale brownish-red, the bill and feet pale. 



The principal changes which take place in the plumage during 

 winter and spring consist in the wearing of the points and 

 margins, by which the yellow is rendered more extended, the 

 fading of this colour, and that of the brown and red. It is an 

 erroneous idea which many or most people seem to entertain, 

 that birds assume richer tints in the breeding season, the fact 

 being the reverse, unless when new feathers are produced in 

 spring, which is not the case with any bird of this order. 



Habits. — The Yellow Bunting is very widely distributed, 

 but does not occur in those parts of the country which are 

 destitute of wood. In most districts it is a very common and 

 familiar bird, and a permanent resident. After the breeding 

 season these birds collect into loose flocks, and as the winter 



