THE YELLOW HAMMER. 



EMBERIZA CITRINELLA. 



Head, neck, breast, and lower parts bright yellow, more or less streaked with 

 dusky; flanks streaked with brownish red; upper parts reddish browTi, 

 spotted with dusky. Female— the yeUow parts less vivid, and spotted "with 

 dull reddish brown. Length six inches and a quarter. Eggs purplish or 

 yellowish white, speckled and lined with dark purple brown. 



This familiar and pretty bird appears to be generally 

 diffused throughout all parts of the country, except the 

 mountains. With its bright yellow head and breast it can 

 scarcely fail to attract the attention of those even who are 

 least observant of birds, and being by no means shy it will 

 allow itself to be examined from a short distance. It may 

 often be detected by its bright yellow plumage among the 

 leaves of a hedge, neither fluttering nor hunting for food, 

 but apparently waiting to be admired. As we approach 

 within a few yards it darts out into the lane with rapid 

 flight, displaying the white feathers of its tail, with tawny 

 tail-coverts, perches on another twig some fifty yards in 



191 



