EMBERIZIN^. 369 



roofs of houses, in the hollow bamboos of the roof", and, occasion- 

 ally, in pots hung out for the purpose. The ep;gs are three or four, 

 greenish white, much streaked and blotched with purplish bro\Yn. 



Two allied species are F. petronius, Linn, of S. Europe and 

 Afghanistan, wliich may occur in the extreme N. W. of Imlia ; 

 and P. superciliaris, A. Hay, from Africa, Loth of which have 

 the yellow throat spot. 



Sub-fam. EMBKiiiziNiE, Buntings. 



Bill with the upper mandible typically smaller and more com- 

 pressed than the lower, whicli is broader, equal in a few ; a 

 palatal protuberance in many ; commissure usually sinuate ; tail 

 moderate, even or emarginate. 



The Buntings form a considerable group of birds found in all 

 parts of the world, except in Australia, more abundant in temper- 

 ate than in tropical climes. Some have unequal mandibles, the 

 upper one small, and furnished internally Avith a palatal knob or 

 protuberance ; whilst others have the mandibles nearly equal, and 

 no trace of the palatal knob. The ridge of the upper mandible 

 is usually straight, or nearly so, and the margins of both are more 

 or less inflected. The legs are of moderate length, and the claws 

 slender. They are not remarkable for beauty of plumage or rich 

 colours ; several have more or less 3'ellow, and the head is often 

 marked with supercilia or medial coronal stripes. A few are 

 crested ; and, in general, the males are brighter coloured than the 

 females. They do not appear, as- a rule, to have a vernal moult, 

 but, in winter, the colours of some are less pure, having pale 

 edges, which wear off towards summer ; and a few do put on a 

 richer plumage in spring. They are more or less terrestrial in 

 their habits, and build their nests in low bushes, or in tufts of 

 grass. These are neat, cup-shaped, and the eggs are marked with 

 spots and irregu.lar streaks or dashes. The young are said to be 

 fed chiefly on insects. Some species, in winter, collect in huge 

 flocks and migrate. They have little or no song in general, and 

 are less noisy than many other Fringillidce. They form, with two 

 exceptions, a very inconspicuous part of the Indian Fauna, none 

 01 them being permanent residents. Three or four are winter 



a A 



