Notes from Japan. loo 



ally E. cia, it is much more of a sylvan species, being usually 

 encountered on the wooded slopes of the mountains. The nest 

 resembles that of E. citrineUa, and is frequently placed in 

 a young spruce or small bush within a foot of the ground. 

 The eggs are pale bluish Avhite with a very faint zone of 

 violet-grey specks, over which there are clear spots and 

 scrawls of purplish black. Size 0'8x0*61 in. 



In a bird-shop at Kobe I saw a perfect specimen of an albino 

 Bunting, which I feel convinced belonged to this species. 



43. Embekiza yessoensis Swh. Japanese Reed-Bunting. 



Kmberiza yessoensis Seebohm, B. Jap. Emp. p. 132 ; 

 Ingram, Bull. B. O. V. voL xxi. p. 18. 



Jap. : Nabe-kaburi. 



(Eggs, PL IV. figs. 8, 9.) 



This species seems to be very local, for I only found it 

 inhabiting a small area, viz., the rough grass-lands above 

 Lake Yamanaka on the north-east slope of Fuji. Here it 

 was fairly common, and when I visited the place early in 

 June the birds had all paired and were clearly shewing signs 

 of nesting. A whole day spent in futile search convinced me 

 that I Avas premature in my efforts to find eggs, and that it 

 would be at least a fortnight or three weeks before any were 

 laid. With this knowledge I instructed the collector to return 

 at a later date and send me a uest and eggs together with the 

 female. This he was fortunately able to do, taking them 

 on June 19th. Mr. Owston, on learning of this success, im- 

 mediately paid a visit to the locality and was lucky enough to 

 take two nests himself, and I am indebted to that gentleman 

 for some interesting details. He informs me that these nests 

 were within live or six inches of the ground and placed 

 between the stems of small shrubs, the base of one, it seems, 

 actually resting on the ground itself and being built up 

 to the height mentioned. Referring to the habits of tliis 

 Bunting he says " the birds appeared to be unwilling to stay 

 away from their nests very long, probably owing to the 

 tremendous downfall of rain which continued all the time we 

 were on the grounds " ; he further adds that the females 

 shewed much concern when their eggs were approached. 



