2l8 RUSTIC BUNTING. 



^lountains, and it is common in Transbaikalia and Amurland. 

 Southward, it is abundant on passage in Mongolia, and, according 

 to Blakiston, it is common in the southern part of the main 

 island of Japan in winter, as well as on Yezo in summer. In 

 the cold season it is found in China as far south as Shanghai ; and 

 it is supposed to breed in the mountainous regions to the north of 

 Mongolia, and in Turkestan, as well as in Northern Siberia. In 

 Western Siberia it appears to be very local. 



Nothing was known to Taczanowski of the reproduction of this 

 Bunting in Siberia up to 18S9; but Mr. Dresser informs me that he 

 has examined three clutches of eggs taken on 4th-5th June by Mr. 

 Sandman, who discovered the breeding-haunts in North East Fin- 

 land in 1886. In these clutches, of 5-6 eggs, the general colour 

 is greenish-grey, with olivaceous brown blotches (not distinct spots), 

 but without any scrawling, while sometimes the ground-colour is 

 reddish : average measurements 78 by "58 in. The bird arrives in 

 Northern Russia about the beginning of May, and frequents the 

 open portions of swampy fir-woods, where it is supposed to nest, as 

 in such situations Meves met with two broods in July. The young 

 are said to feed upon oats and other grain. The song is described 

 by von Middendorff as rich and melodious, while the call-note is a 

 sharp cry, not unlike that of the Redwing. 



The adult male in breeding-plumage has the lores, crown, and 

 ear-patches black ; from above each eye to the side of the neck 

 a broad white stripe, and a small patch of the same colour on the 

 nape ; mantle, upper wing-coverts and rump rusty-chestnut, with 

 some blackish streaks on the upper back ; greater and middle 

 wing-coverts with broad white tips, which form two conspicuous 

 bars ; secondaries with dark brown centres and rufous margins ; 

 quills ash-brown ; tail-feathers chiefly dark brown, but the exterior 

 pair with the greater part of their webs white, and the second pair 

 with a long white streak from near the base to the tip of the inner 

 web ; throat and belly white ; breast broadly banded with rusty- 

 chestnut, and flanks streaked with the same colour ; bill dark brown 

 above, yellowish below j legs pinkish-yellow. Length 5*45 in. ; wing 

 3'i in. In the female the head and ear-patches are brownish, 

 mottled with black, the chestnut tints on the back and chest are 

 less pronounced, and the dark streaks are conspicuous. The young 

 bird in August has the upper parts warm tawny-brown with blackish 

 streaks ; under parts dull white, streaked with dark brown, and 

 suffused with rufous-buff, with a faint chestnut tinge on the breast 

 and flanks. 



