168 TEE SMALLER BRITISE BIRDS. 



Monta2iU states tliafc "having taken tlie young of tlie Cirl Bunting, 

 it was found that insects were their most partial food, especially the 

 common grasshopper. Wlien they could peck, the smaller seeds were 

 acceptable, and canary the favourite; of grain, wheat and barley were 

 rejected, but oats were greedily devoured, after they had dexterously 

 and quickly deprived them of their outer coat." 



The Ortolan Bunting is so rarely obtained in this countiy that it 

 ■would be sapertluous to describe its treatment in continement. 



