io8 Thk Black-Hhadkd Bunting 



clutches which I found or saw. One reason may perhaps have been that the nest 

 of this bird was the easiest of all nests to find. The males were so extremely 

 handsome and so very conspicuous that whilst it may perhaps be scarcely correct 

 to say that no other species of bird was so common, certainly no other appeared 

 to be so." 



Further on, he says: — "the plain joins a steep rocky slope, where the olives 

 are smaller and more scattered, and where clematis and white and pink roses half 

 conceal the stony ground, and dwarf oleanders, pomegranates, figs, almonds, and 

 other shrubs compose a half-wild landscape, the only sign of cultivation being a 

 vine-terrace here and there. This seems to be the paradise of the Black-headed 

 Bunting ; and it is not an uncommon thing to see three or four males perched 

 conspicuou.sly on the top of as many isolated trees, singing in rivalry. When 

 disturbed it seldom flies far, but drops down from its perch, and after a short 

 flight, low and undulating, rises up again to the nearest tree-top, on which it is 

 so anxious to perch that its legs may be seen extended for the purpose long before 

 the desired haven is reached." 



The nest is usually placed amongst creepers, such as brambles or clematis; 

 but often in rose-bushes ; sometimes in rows of peas or beans, and occasionally 

 on the ground. It is large and loosely constructed of the seed-bearing heads of 

 small flowering plants ; and is lined with dry grass, bents, rootlets, and hair. 

 The eggs number from four to six, usually four ; they are pale greenish-blue, 

 with brown surface spots and grey shell spots ; usually they are most densely 

 massed at the larger end, btit sometimes they are scattered over the entire 

 surface ; they also vary in size, though as a rule both large and small spots occur 

 on the same egg. 



Jerdon says of this Bunting (Birds of India, Vol. II, p. 378):— "It makes its 

 appearance in the Deccan usually about the end of November: is found in 

 immense flocks, and is very destructive to the crops of jowaree, and other grains. It 

 leaves early in March, and certainly does not breed in any part of India." Tristram 

 states that it breeds in Corfu, frequenting brushwood on the hill sides, and has 

 an agreeable song." According to Seebohm this song ctmsists of only "two or 

 three slight variations of nut a very loud nor yet \-ery melodious note, rapidly 

 repeated, with a slight pause in the middle. The ordinary call-note is a loud clitt, 

 chit, and the call-note of one sex to the other a more plaintive and longer con- 

 tinued tsee-a.'' Howard Saunders says: — "The call-note of the male is a vibrating 

 monotonous chiriririy 



As a captive, little pleasure can be derived from keeping the Black-headed 

 Bunting in a cage ; doubtless its feeding is simple enough, millet and canary 



