PERCHING BIRDS. 99 
ground, and generally with very little attempt at con- 
cealment. This species seems to be subject to variation 
of plumage—chiefly a large admixture of white—those 
I have seen having a dappled appearance; but I met 
with one in December, 1859, at Clipstone, which was 
entirely white, with the exception of two or three slight 
markings of brown on the back. 
The flight of the common bunting lacks buoyancy, 
and consists of a series of undulations caused by the 
momentary closing of the wings, alternating with a few 
somewhat laboured flappings. It is by far the largest 
of the family, and is not by any means to be despised 
when well cooked. 
In suitable spots the Black-headed Bunting, or reed 
sparrow (HL. scheniclus), is frequent ; the change from 
the dusky hue to the deep velvety black on the head of 
the male, is one of the earliest signs of the approach of 
spring, and in this, his nuptial dress, the male is really 
a handsome bird. I have always found its nest on the 
ground—most frequently near the bank of the stream, 
sometimes at the foot of a bush, at others amongst reeds 
and coarse high grass—but I never saw any attempt at 
suspension. 
The eggs do not offer much variety ; the ground- 
colour is generally a pale dirty brown, with a bluish or 
purplish tinge, and marked with distinct spots and 
curved lines of blackish or purple-brown, chiefly at the 
larger end ; their shape is very similar to those of the 
yellowhammer, but the smaller end is rather more 
taper. 
The vocal powers of the black-headed bunting do not 
attain to the dignity of song ; two or three short notes, 
followed by one rather prolonged, in the manner of the 
H 2 
