554 



PERCHING BIRDS 



Reed-Buntine- ^'^cy unmistakable and easy of recognition is the 



(Emberiza handsome reed -bunting, in which the head and 



schoenielus) throat of the adult cock are black, except for a 



white band extending backwards from the root of 



the beak to form a gorget which merges inferiorlx' in the white of the 



breast ; the back and wing-coverts are brownish black with bright bay 



streaks, the loins are grey with black streaks, and the flanks have 



similar streaks on a white ground. After the autumnal moult the 



back of the head and throat is obscured by broad reddish-brown edges 



to the feathers, and it is not till s[)ring that, b\' the wearing away of 



these margins, the more striking coloration is full\- revealed. In 



hens at all seasons, as well as in the }'oung, the black areas of the head 



and throat are severall)- replaced b>' reddish 

 brown and huffish, with dull black streaks, 

 and a buffish-white eyebrow-stripe. 



The breeding-range of the reed-bunting 

 is \er\- extensive, including the whole of 

 Europe, with the exception of the extreme 

 north, and central and northern Asia up to 

 the limits of forest ; in winter this species 

 visits north-western India. In suitable 

 situations — such as bushes, reed-brakes, or 

 clumps of purple loosestrife by water — 

 this bunting is to be met with commonly 

 tiiroughout the British Isles, having even 

 been known to nest in the Orkneys and 

 the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides ; 

 in Ireland, however, where it is believed 

 to be partialh' migrator}-, it is less 

 common than in other parts of the 

 kingdom. Although mainl\' restricted to river- courses during the 

 warmer months, where its striking plumage renders the cock a con- 

 spicuous object, reed-buntings in winter consort with other buntings 

 and finches on corn-lands. The nest may be either on the river-bank 

 itself or elevated above the ground in a bush ; and the four to six eggs 

 have the scribbled black lines and spots very conspicuous!)' defined on 

 a ground of buff or brown stone-colour. 



Up to the close of last centiirj' the dwarf bunting, or little bunting 

 {linibcriza pitsilla), which is widely distributed in eastern and southern 

 I'Lurope, and central and northern Asia, visiting India and occasionalK- 

 straggling to western I'Airope in winter, was known only b\' a single 



KEF.n-BUNTING (MALK). 



